The Reward and the Racket that is Badminton
Our attention is drawn to the article titled, The Reward & the Racket that is Badminton. We have no adverse view of the article itself, but have to clarify certain matters that have been carried in the story. Let us attempt for the benefit of your readers and badminton enthusiasts, deal with some of the comments made:
The invitation to the Olympics made to Mr. Niluka Karunaratne was extended by IOC via NOC and we were pleased to accept it, with the full knowledge that Niluka made a great effort to gain qualification over the last several months. He was the most qualified person in Sri Lanka for the Olympic Games selections. Therefore, the contention that SLB sent Niluka to Olympics is not correct.
Niluka’s sponsorship arose due to a substantial financial benefit derived, having devoted a lifetime to the sport. The SLB ExCo carefully considered the situation and allowed him to go ahead, in order to support one of its athletes, who had gained international honour without commensurate rewards! There was no objection from any other sponsor and hence, we supported Niluka on his personal sponsorship.
Dinuka Karunaratne was named as coach/sparring partner since IOC/NOC had limited allocations to SLB to just two places. We were compelled to give Niluka the best on-court support possible, and this was in our opinion, the best we could do. In fact, this was Niluka’s request too.
We cannot restrict Niluka’s local or international targets, so long as he continues to remain competitive with the best BWF International Ranking by a Sri Lankan, over so many years.
Responses to Expert Comments:
Clarence Homer claims that progress of players have been blocked. This is far from the truth. We have an Elite Squad, a Senior Pool and a Junior Pool. Even as we speak, the Junior Pool is in training and will face trials to pick a team to the World Juniors while the Senior Squad will embark on a series of international tours from August onwards to help them enhance their BWF Ranking and prepare for the Commonwealth Games.
SLB provides many benefits to its national players including rackets, shoes, kitting, shuttlecocks, etc., free of cost. They are also given sustained of nutritional programmes and cash allowances.
It is also not correct to say that we are blocking the training of children. They are free to train anywhere, but if they wish to participate in international events, then they must face trials and train with the team to represent Sri Lanka.
Whether one likes it or not, no other player has maintained a BWF rank as Niluka. And so, he naturally benefits from support by the MoS, NOC and SLB in the international circuit. As stated above, that is why we are promoting other national players to commit to an international programme. There is no other way to make such a mark.
Ajith Wijayasinghe acknowledges Niluka’s international status as he is aware of the long-term commitment that he has made to the sport. His opinion that no further investment is made in Niluka is a personal view but is a positive sentiment in our opinion, since he implies that investments must be made in other up and coming players. It appears that Ajith W. is not aware of the tremendous support SLB provides National Pool players.
Palitha Hettiarachchi is a SLB VP who is also Chairman of National Training. His comment that Niluka is getting favoured treatment only underlines that Niluka gets what he deserves. It does not suggest that we do not develop other players; in fact, he has named some of the new talent we are working with. The entire national pool is under his responsibility and he is fully aware of the massive support SLB offers all players.
Chandrika de Silva’s lament is something we regret very much. Her reference to SLB President as no different, is something we deplore outright. Rohan de Silva has injected a lot of energy into the sport. Rohan has lead from the front and provided the SLB with much needed funds, more than we could ever hope for. His benevolence to many badminton players is remarkable, something Chandrika knows only too well. In fact, Chandrika too is being heavily sponsored by Rohan de Silva.
Unfortunately, COVID greatly affected our progress. But our work goes on unabated with the young players at the heart of our unrelenting efforts.
You will appreciate that these efforts speak for itself!
Mohan Wijesinghe Secretary – SLB