You can download the SCOPE March 2011 issue here.
SCOPE Mar 2011 – DOWNLOAD
The web version of the “Think anew – The Road Less traveled” is also available to download here.
Thinkanew – Who gets to choose -DOWNLOAD
Add comment March 31st, 2011
Following SCOPE article:
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The World Cup going on these days has made cricket lovers go crazy. The scramble for tickets is so much that many both here and in the other two Asian countries have missed opportunities of watching them on the field. While cricket is loved by all cricket fans, even by our village lads and lasses, cricket lovers should also reflect on the ethics of cricket and see that the game is kept clean.
The Island newspaper recently published a series of 50 articles by Rex Clementine where he interviewed many of our shining cricketing stars of the past like Duleep Mendis, Anura Tennekoon, Sidat Wettimuny, Ranjan Madugalle, Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunge and others and also some of the past administrators. Reading the responses of these stars and administrators who recalled nostalgic memories of the past era, one common factor that emerged in all these interviews was the extent to which Sri Lanka Cricket was clean and the caliber of those who were at the helm of Sri Lanka cricket. Special mention was made of leaders like Robert Senanayake, Dr. N.M. Perera, Gamini Dissanayake, and Ana Punchihewa. Arjuna Ranatunge made special reference to the role played by Gamini Dissanayake in bringing Sri Lanka to its present status and in winning the world cup. Arjuna in his interview mentioned how as a token of tribute to Mr Dissanayake he took the cup the day after they arrived to Mrs Dissanayake who broke down in tears..
These cricket administrators of the past worked tirelessly for the love of the game and to uplift our standards and not for any other consideration. Politicians like Dr N.M. Perera and Gamini Dissanayake never allowed politics to influence SLC. These past cricketers also spoke of the financial difficulties under which SLC developed and their own financial difficulties. Unfortunately soon after the World Cup victory saw a change in administration and along with it all ethics and moral values of Sri Lanka gradually declined. The greed for power and money soon entered SLC. Allegations of corruption were leveled against the administrators. The ultimate result has been that SLC has since been administered by interim committees who are not accountable to the stakeholders. While some of these interim committees have had men of capability and integrity as chairmen, the moral and ethical standards of others have been questionable. The media has often spotlighted shady deals and irregular appointments and politicization of even the present committee.
It is unfortunate that players too internationally are now very often lured by big money. The recent scandal where top Pakistan players including a former captain were involved, is just one example. The IPL league is another example where players and teams are auctioned and bought at a price and where big betting is rampant. Fortunately hardly any allegations have so far been leveled against our local players, and the recent unfortunate news commentary in a state television channel casting aspersions on two of our leading players is vehemently deplored.
From a Christian perspective all these factors described above boils down to the question of ethics in cricket. It is not the game alone but the spirit of the game that counts. It is refreshing to see all our Christian bowlers making the sign of the cross when they start bowling. One of them even kisses the cross hung round his neck. This, in a small but very significant way in a predominantly Buddhist country, is a true Christian witness, and it would be hard to imagine that any such player would betray his Christian principles. It would be pertinent here to mention the name of a former top Sri Lankan cricketer Rumesh Ratnayake who has on several occasions openly declared his deep commitment to the Lord and his faith.
As a senior citizen still very much involved in Christian youth work, I appeal to all young Christian undergraduates and not so young Christian graduates who belong to the FOCUS and GCF families to reflect on these thoughts and build public opinion to keep cricket clean and help in re-building good ethics of cricket.
Nimal Bhareti
(The writer was an undergraduate at the Peradeniya University in the 1950s and is a retired senior state official)
2 comments March 17th, 2011
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