News
Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka to fight it out for 5th place
CAVA Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup
Kyrgyzstan powered past Maldives in straight sets and Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh in lopsided affairs in the classification round for 5th-8th places in the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup at NSC Covered Hall in Kathmandu, Nepal on Thursday.
Sri Lanka, who won their first game in the tournament by beating Maldives 3-0 in straight sets in the group stage, breezed past Bangladesh 25-16, 25-15, 25-7 on Thursday.
Thilini, who led Sri Lanka with 14 points in their previous match against Maldives, remained the top scorer of the team contributing 13 points. None of the Bangladeshi players scored double digits, with Sabina the highest with 5 points.
In the other match, Kyrgyzstan had already claimed their first victory in the one-week tournament following their comfortable straight-set win against Bangladesh on Wednesday and completed their campaign in the pool round-robin preliminaries as the third place in Pool A.
Contesting their 5th-8th playoff encounter against Pool B fourth-place Maldives on Thursday, Kyrgyzstan relied on powerful attacks from Kumarbekova, who top-scored with 11 points for the team in their previous match against Bangladesh.
Despite a strong challenge from the Maldivians, Kumarbekova joined forces with Kadyrova, Alizhan Kyzy, Rasulbek Kyzy and Mamatzhan Kyzy to help Kyrgyzstan pull off an impressive straight-sets 25-20, 25-20, 25-15 victory.
Kumarbekova remained a major force on the team and scored 11 points. Kadyrova added 9 points, as Alizhan Kyzy, Rasulbek Kyzy and Mamatzhan Kyzy kept good company to score 8 points apiece for the winning side. Hawwa led the Maldives with 10 points.
Following their comfortable victories on Thursday, Kyrgyzstan and Sri Lanka will next battle it out for 5th place, while Maldives and Bangladesh (both winless) will contest the 7th-8th playoff clash.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Cricket Denies Financial Crisis Claims Amid Transformation Committee Appointment
Sri Lanka Cricket has firmly rejected recent media reports claiming that the organization is facing a financial crisis following the appointment of the Cricket Transformation Committee, stating that such allegations are “entirely false and misleading.”
In an official clarification, SLC emphasized that the Cricket Transformation Committee was appointed by the Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs under the powers granted by Sections 32 and 33 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, as amended.
According to SLC, once an order is issued under Section 32 of the Sports Law, the powers, administration, management, and control of the affairs and assets of the relevant sports body are legally transferred to the committee appointed by the Minister.
The organization further noted that the duly appointed Transformation Committee is fully authorized to oversee and manage all affairs of Sri Lanka Cricket, including its financial operations and obligations, until a new Executive Committee is elected.
SLC also pointed out that the appointment of the committee has already been officially published in the Government Gazette, thereby granting it full legal authority to act on behalf of the organization in all administrative and financial matters.
Rejecting claims of financial instability, Sri Lanka Cricket reiterated that its operations continue without disruption. The organization stated that all day-to-day activities, including financial and administrative functions, are proceeding smoothly under the supervision of the Transformation Committee.
SLC further assured stakeholders that all payments to suppliers, service providers, employees, players, and other parties continue to be settled on time, with no interruption to the organization’s commitments.
The statement was issued in response to growing speculation in sections of the media regarding the financial status of Sri Lanka Cricket after the recent administrative changes.
Cricket
Sri Lanka, India to Clash in Two-Test Series in August
Sri Lanka and India are set to play a two-match Test series between August 15 and 27 as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Although the official schedule is yet to be announced, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reserved a two-week window for the series following the conclusion of the Lanka Premier League on August 9. Discussions between SLC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are continuing to finalise the venues and match dates.
The proposed tour was initially expected to include three Twenty20 Internationals as well, but there has been no confirmation regarding those matches. The T20 games were originally planned as a fundraising initiative for victims affected by Cyclone Ditwah last year.
Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is currently in Sri Lanka as part of an International Cricket Council delegation reviewing recent developments in Sri Lanka Cricket administration. The Sri Lankan government recently dissolved the previous SLC body and appointed an interim Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee.
Cricket scheduling remains challenging for India due to a packed international calendar later this year. India are expected to tour Bangladesh in September for a white-ball series, although the tour is still uncertain after being postponed previously because of political tensions between the two nations.
India also have commitments against West Indies and Afghanistan later in the year, along with the Asian Games in Nagoya scheduled from September 9 to October 4.
India’s international season resumes in June with a Test series against Afghanistan before tours of Ireland, England and Zimbabwe.
Cricket
ICC Delegation Holds Key Talks With President on Cricket Reforms
Senior representatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC) met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo yesterday as discussions intensified over the future of cricket administration in Sri Lanka.
The ICC delegation, which includes Imran Khwaja and Devajit Sakia, is currently in the country following recent changes within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Their visit comes amid growing attention on governance reforms and the restructuring of the national cricket administration.
During their stay, ICC officials also held meetings with members of the newly appointed SLC administration at the board’s headquarters, where discussions focused on restoring stability and strengthening the management framework of Sri Lankan cricket.
The latest developments follow the appointment of a nine-member Cricket Transformation Committee by Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage after the resignation of the previous SLC leadership.
The committee, chaired by Eran Wickremaratne, has been entrusted with overseeing the administration of the sport and implementing a series of reforms until new elections are conducted.
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