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Wednesday, 12 March 2014 00:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sri Lanka blind cricket team which finished third at the Blind Cricket World Cup held in 2012 have been forced to go from pillar to post to find sponsors to host two important international cricket tours, national team players and officials complained.
Sri Lanka blind cricketers finished only behind India and Pakistan in the world cup and are one of the strongest teams in the international game today but have been facing severe hardships without proper sponsors, they told a press conference in Colombo last week.
The Sri Lanka blind cricket squad is on the lookout for sponsors for them to host Australia for an international bi-lateral series in April and also funds to take part in the fifth blind cricket World Cup to be held in South Africa in November.
“We went from one company to another on foot in areas like Colpetty and Bambalapitiya seeking sponsors, but none of those firms were willing to help us,” said a national cricketer who added that he and his blind colleagues had walked many miles on foot to find supporters for their passion and love.
The Association is seeking Rs. 7.5 million in sponsorship for the two tours. The Australian tour is estimated to cost Rs. 4.3 million while the rest are for the expenses for the World Cup.
Last year Sri Lanka cricket stars Mahela Jayawardene and Tillekaratne Dilshan had supported the Sri Lanka blind team financially in their personal capacities. These sponsorships had been for the World Cup.
Another player said that they made an appeal to the Sports Minister who had informed them that he is unable to help them much as the Blind Cricket Association was not an entity registered with the Ministry. The Minister had later promised to give a donation of Rs. 500,000 for their cause.
“Most of our players have no jobs. They are from the outstations. Thus, we cannot train in Colombo as one squad. It is major setback as this game requires understanding each other very much. But we cannot train as one Sri Lanka squad due to the lack of stadiums and accommodation issue,” said one player.
“We also want to do well like the Sri Lanka cricket team and bring honour and glory to our motherland in whatever small way we can. We are determined and do everything within our capabilities to make that dream true. We want to win this world cup for Sri Lanka. But unfortunately things are not all that helpful,” he added.
“There is no one to give us a helping hand. We have the courage and dedication for our goal. We beg for financial help to pursue our dream. Please look at us as another national team and help. That is our request,” said the player at the press conference attended by Sri Lanka Blind Cricket Association President U. Priyankara, Sri Lanka Blind Cricket team captain Chandana Suriyarachchi and national team coach Chaminda Pushpakumara.
“When the Australian team comes to Sri Lanka in April, we have to host them in hotels and treat them well. That is our main concern. Our players can manage even by staying at Buddhist temples, but we have to take care of the visiting team. We were shocked by the lukewarm response by the society to our pleadings,” he said.
Sports Ministry Director General Ranjani Jayakody who also attended the press conference said that the Ministry was unable to help the Association as they had not registered officially with the Ministry.
“If they register with us, we can certainly help them,” said Jayakody.
“I have been appalled at the way these blind national players had been neglected. I am also sorry that the Ministry could not take them under the wings of Ministry and help them so far. I believe that was a result of a communication gap between the two parties. But we will try our best to work out a solution,” said Jayakody.
Jayakody also responded spontaneously to a few issues raised by the players and claimed that she can arrange accommodation at the Torrington Square Sports Ministry Hostel for the players whenever they have training sessions in Colombo. She also undertook to provide food, transport and medical facilities to the players from the Sports Ministry.
