News
Shuttle sensation Nettasinghe reachesMarianas Open pre quarters
Sri Lanka’s badminton sensation Viren Nettasinghe reached the pre quarter-final stage of Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2024, currently underway in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.
The top seed player of the six-day competition conducted by Northern Marianas Badminton Association, recorded straight wins on his way to reach the top 16 after defeating Japan’s Keisuje Fujiwara in the Round of 32 after handing a straight defeat to Hsin Tse Tu of Chinese Taipei to advance further as the firm favourite to clinch the Men’s Singles title of the tournament.
Yesterday, in the third round, Nettasinghe had little opposition from Fujiwara as he cruised to an easy 21-7 win in the first set. But the Japanese shuttler showed some improvement in the second setter before Nettasinghe nailed the game 2-0 with a set score of 22-20.
Earlier, in the second round, Nettasinghe played gallantly to totally outplay Chinese Taipei’s Tse Hu 2-0, after recording set wins of 21-7 and 21-6. The first Sri Lankan athlete to directly qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024, received a bye in the first round after earning the top seed position of the tournament. He will now meet Malaysia’s Justin Hoh, the fifth seed player of the tournament, in the quarter-final.
The tournament will end on Saturday, as Nettasinghe is expected claim the Men’s Singles title of the competition, one of the two international tournaments the Sri Lankan shuttle sensation features in the Paris Olympics.
The quarter-finals of Men’s Singles of the Northern Marianas Open will take place on July 5, followed by the semi-finals next day, culminating in the gold medal matches on July 7.
Nettasinghe, Sri Lanka’s top ranked shuttler, is currently placed 75th in the world. Following the Northern Marianas Open, he will compete in the Saipan International Open Badminton Tournament 2024 from July 9-13.
The two BWF Grade 3 International Challenge Tournaments, both offering a prize pool of $15,000 each, are expected to attract top talent from around the world. Sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Oceania, both tournaments are hosted by the Northern Marianas Badminton Association.
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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