Sports Minister maintains fitness of Sri Lankan cricket team not up to the mark

By Chathuri Dissanayake

Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara yesterday questioned the fitness level of the Sri Lanka cricket team selected to play in the upcoming Zimbabwe tour despite it being approved on Tuesday following discussions with management and coaches. 

“I was not satisfied with the fitness level. The physiotherapists and fitness coaches came to me and had lengthy discussions on the matter. Had I stuck to what I said I was going to do, then I wouldn’t have given my approval,” Jayasekara told journalists at the Cabinet briefing. 

The approval for the final selection for the Zimbabwe tour was given only on Tuesday, three days prior to the first match, scheduled for 30 June. The Minister insisted the delay in approval should not be interpreted as political interference in sports but as attempts made by him to improve standards.  

“I had stated that I will make the final decision only after seeing reports on their fitness levels. That is what happened,” he said. 

The Minister highlighted that approval was given after the fitness coaches and physiotherapist of the team agreed to conduct another team test in three months’ time in collaboration with the Institute of Sports Medicine. 

“We are now devising a plan to ensure that the team works with the Institute of Sports Medicine. The fitness coaches and physiotherapists agreed to work with the institute, analyse the data of all the players and work according to their recommendations as well. So this will happen before every tournament,” he explained. 

The Minister also said that the move to work with the Institute of Sports Medicine had only started three months ago. 

Levelling a scathing attack at the media, the Minister blamed media organisations for blowing the conflict between the cricketers and him out of proportion. Refuting claims that he criticised individual cricket players, Jayasekara expressed disappointment at how the issue had escalated to create a conflict between him and fast bowler Lasith Malinga. He highlighted that the decision taken by the board of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has no relevance to him, as Malinga has breached the conditions of the contract he has with SLC. 

“This situation would not have cropped up if the players did their job well,” Jayasekara said.

“He was going to lose an opportunity to play in the matches. But I have made sure that this will not happen, because the final blame would come to me. Lasith Malinga is a talented player. I have a problem with his statements, but he is skilled. The team needs him.” 

However, he claimed that there was resistance from the athletes when changes aimed at improving the standards in sports were made after he took office. 

“There was resistance within the sector when I tried changing things. I stand by what I said regarding the fitness level of the Sri Lankan team. I have enough documents to prove this. The Sri Lankan cricket team is talented. I don’t deny that but they can improve more if they improve their fitness level. 

Minister makes fitness certificate compulsory for all sports 

Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara yesterday announced that fitness certificates issued by the Institute of Sports Medicine will be compulsory when team selections are submitted for his approval. 

“I will not sign any approval if the certificate is not submitted,” he said. 

The regulation comes after questions were raised about the fitness level of the national cricket team after their shabby performance on the last tour. Jayasekara went on record criticising the fitness level of some of the players, leading to a backlash with him and fast bowler Lasith Malinga. 

Instructions on the new requirement have already been sent to all sports bodies and selection committees. The ministry has also advised all sports selection bodies to develop a criteria for team selection as well, the Minister said. The athletes can submit appeals regarding selections to the National Selection Committee established at the Sports Ministry, Jayasekara said.  

“There was no one the players could refer to regarding appeals now that they have the right to question the selection. I will approve the selection only after the appeals process is over,” he said.