Sri Lanka’s Sports Ministry has slammed the nation’s cricket administration, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for failing to follow the proper procedure related to the approval of the squad and staff for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.
Issuing a statement, the Sports Ministry said that the SLC is required to send in the request for approval of the squad and staff 21 days prior to their departure.
However, a letter signed by SLC Secretary Mohan De Silva requesting for approval, dated September 20, had reached the Sports Development Department on September 21.
The Sports Ministry stated that despite the weekend, the approval of the National Sports Commission and the Sports Development Department had been obtained and had been reported to the Sports Ministry Secretary by Monday evening (Sep 25).
The Sports Minister had instructed the Ministry Secretary to immediately approve the relevant squad and staff as per SLC’s request.
Pointing out that the lack of time to examine the squad and staff eligibility has deprived other players of a chance to appeal the decision, the Sports Ministry questioned who is to take responsibility in the event a player or staff have faced an injustice.
Stating that the SLC was well aware of the deadline to name the squad for the cricket world cup, the Sports Ministry pointed out that the SLC also had ample time to train and assess the fitness of players.
The Sports Ministry further stated that if the SLC had requested for approval 21 days prior to the team’s departure, the ministry would have had time to assess the staff and the players eligibility in order to send a proper team.
The SLC’s request for approval of the squad days before their departure has prevented the Sports Ministry from dispatching a suitable team for the tournament, the Ministry added.
The Sports Ministry issued the clarification after several persons had taken to social media accusing the Ministry of delaying the team approval procedure, cutting it close to the deadline. (NewsWire)
