Veteran administrator Rohini bats for development of women’s cricket
Women's cricket is picking up momentum in Sri Lanka
Veteran sports administrator Rohini Fernando has called for more recognition for women’s cricket in the country and discipline from those playing the game at all levels.
One of the pioneers of women’s cricket in Sri Lanka, Rohini felt more should be done to lift the standard and status of women cricketers in the island.
She said the women’s cricket committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) should comprise past women cricketers.
“Now we have people who don’t have knowledge of the game,” said Rohini who was secretary of the women’s committee of SLC in 2007 and 2008.
“We have played enough cricket. It is in our blood. Administration wise we have organised many events,” said Rohini, who was a Founder Member of the Colombo District Women’s Cricket Association (CDWCA) and the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Association (SLWCA).
Rohini’s leather ball cricket career began at Bloomfield under the guidance of Sri Lanka’s first Test captain Bandula Warnapura and Jayantha Seneviratne, before moving to Nomads which she captained in 1995 followed by a brief stint at BRC. She was also founder captain of Moratuwa SC in 1998.
She was instrumental in launching a project to have female cricket umpires in line with other countries with the assistance of BCCSL (SLC) K.T. Francis and B.C. Cooray. She also helped in the formation of some private clubs during her sports tenure.
Veteran cricket administrator Rohini Fernando
Secretary of Women’s Section of Sri Lanka Softball Cricket Federation from 1988-1992 and Secretary of Women’s Section of Sri Lanka Tennis Ball Cricket Association from 1993 to 1996, she was elected Secretary of the SLWCA in 1999, which is the national body for women’s Cricket as recognised by the Ministry of Sports.
As President of CDWCA, cricket coaching clinics were conducted at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium, in Moratuwa, Cricket Scoring Programmes as well as several tournaments for clubs, schools and companies, during her tenure. She also organised a Colours Night awards ceremony for past women cricketers.
A veteran coach, Rohini has assisted in coaching several cricketers including under privileged players from different parts of the country.
She also coached St. Mary’s College, Colombo 15, girls and boys teams, as well as the players of the CDWCA cricketing pool.
In addition to cricket, Rohini has been actively involved in football and basketball, serving as the Secretary of the Garudas Club, Colombo, from 1984 to 1987. She has also been involved in athletics at the Ministry of Sports, under the supervision of renowned coach, the late Lakshman de Alwis.
It is Rohini’s firm belief that there could be greater improvement in women’s cricket in the country and that more motivation and support is needed for the players, especially school girls who are engaged in cricket from a young age.
A versatile sportswoman who represented Good Shepherd Convent in netball, Rohini’s ambition is to start her own cricket academy in the near future.
“More encouragement should be given for women’s cricket to be developed. I am happy to see some of the school girls are playing good cricket. That is the proper time and age to think of their future and the game. We are silently waiting to see their improvement,” she said.