Upali Dharmadasa Must Continue The Good Work (02 Apr 1996)

Tuesday 02, April 1996

Upali must continue the good work

THE eagerly awaited and fiercely contested annual general meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka was held on Sunday and the winner was Upali Dharmadasa and the loser Ana Punchihewa.

This column wishes the victor a fruitful innings at the wicket. Cricket undoubtedly is the number one sport in the country today, now that we are world cup champions.

RIDING THE CREST

Dharmadasa takes his stance at a time when Sri Lanka cricket is riding the crest of a wave of success after triumphs in New Zealand, Pakistan, Sharja, World series in Australia and finally the World Cup.

All these triumphs were achieved under the leadership of the outgoing president Punchihewa. Punchihewa`s stay at the wicket was an out-standing success and Dharmadasa will certainly be looking forward to giving continuity to the dream innings or even bettering it.

SWIM OF THINGS

Dharmadasa has been in the swim of things having been the Board`s vice president and will certainly be aware of the googlies and the bouncers he will have to face during his strike at the wicket.

Dharmadasa has been given a majority vote to carry on the good work of his predecessor. He must see to it that he plays a straight bat and not be caught out by the wiles of team mates who will not hesitate to see him dismissed if their requests are not granted.

HOT SEAT

His seat is indeed a hot one and unless he is provided with an 100 per cent team effort he will find to his chagrin that he is on a sticky wicket, and he would not be in a position to execute all the master strokes he has for the cricketer, the game and the administration.

As for Punchihewa he can be proud of the fact that he as president played easily the best innings in the history of the presidency of the CB. In the 12 months he was at the wicket, he saw to it that the game reached the pinnacle with the winning of the World Cup gaining global recognition for the country.

As for him it is only an end of an innings.

UGLY TALK

As is usual after any election, there was ugly talk doing the rounds. There was talk that a lot of money exchange hands. In local terms it is called `jara`. These are allegations that winners have always to cope with. That is how this game goes.`

Allegation have also been made that representatives of some clubs did not carry out their mandate. If this is true, then it is a sad reflection on the clubs concerned, and stern action should be taken on those who voted contrary to club orders.

Source :: Daily News (http.//www.lanka.net)