SL must attend World Youth Netball Championships: Trixi N
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“Sri Lanka (SL) should take part in the World Youth Netball Championships from July 8-16, as we are the reigning champions. SL won the title in 2015, when they toppled Malaysia in the final in Hong Kong.
“With SL slipping to 4h place at the Asian Youth Netball Championships in South Korea, there is a strong belief that SL should not go to Botswana. As a former National Captain, National Coach and as the President of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation (SLNF), it is my belief that SL should take part in this event.
“If we do not take part in this key tournament, SL is bound to face international humiliation”, said the uncontested President of the SLNF, Trixi Nanayakkara,.
“The draw for the World Youth Tournament is now out. SL is in Group ‘A’. If we withdraw from the competition at this stage, a team will have to be found to replace us, because we are withdrawing at the last moment. We have also sent a part of the tournament fees, which will not be reimbursed. We will also be fined. Twenty international teams are taking part in the competition. SL is in Group ‘A’, together with New Zealand, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Samoa. This is a good opportunity to play with such well known teams.”
“The next issue is that, the Asian Senior Netball Championships is scheduled to be held in Singapore in December 2018. It will be good to take part in the Botswana competition, as it will hold the team in good stead. It is extremely important for SL to take part in the Botswana competition.
“The Sports Minister has indicated that SL should not be sent to Botswana, as we are a weak team. I think it is important to speak to the Minister and make him understand the importance of taking part in the Botswana event. This will also be important for our Netball players as well.”
Trixi Nanayakkara
“My personal opinion is that, the team should be disbanded now and a new pool and a new coach be summoned, as there was an opinion that the best team did not go to South Korea.”
“The SL Netballl team went to England in 1995, after 38 days of hectic training, and turned in good performances. I have no powers to make decisions as such, as the SLNF has not been firmly established as yet. The President, Yasa Ramachandra, still possesses the powers to make such decisions. So, we must unite and inform the Sports Minister of the importance of taking part in the Botswana competition. I think, we should be able to come to a favourable settlement,” concluded Ms Nanayakkara.
Meanwhile, Trixi Nanayakkara is certain of becoming the President of the SLNF, as her opponent and former president has withdrawn from the contest. After 15 years, Trixi Nanayakkara has come forward to be President once again. During Nomination objections, former Secretary, Champa Gunewardena and Assistant Secretary Shiromi Kuruppu, were rejected. Subsequently, Jayanthi Somasekeram De Silva as Secretary and Tanuja Dissanayake as Assistant Secretary (uncontested), were appointed. Laxhmi Victoria, who was the Vice-President (uncontested), was rejected by the Election Committee. A definite date for the AGM and the election of Office Bearers, cannot be set as yet, until the final audits are submitted. Â Â Â -SP