By The Line Judge

‘Frustration prevails without cricket’ screamed a newspaper headline last Sunday (4) while another outlined the ‘Vision’ of Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa to transform Sri Lanka’s sports into a multi-billion-dollar industry. It underscores the paradox facing sports authorities in the country as they battle against the intransigence of health authorities to give the green light for the resumption of normal sports activities. This was before the latest outbreak of COVID-19 positive cases, which has jolted the community fearing another prolonged period of lockdown.

Despite the loud boasts that Sri Lanka is among the top countries which contained the pandemic and were least affected comparatively, with the spread among the community being minimal, the authorities lived in a cocoon being rigidly concerned about quarantine procedures without being flexible even when it comes to international teams touring the country. Their strict compliance to 14-day quarantine at a hotel and another 14-day self-isolation at home for people returning from overseas is not practical for sports teams coming to the island.

The last-minute cancellation of Bangladesh cricket team’s tour of Sri Lanka, initially postponed from July-August because of the pandemic, was a classic case of mismanagement by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in negotiating a reasonable solution to the impasse. Although the scheduled three-Test series against Bangladesh may not have been financially viable, the return of international cricket to Sri Lanka would have opened the doors for more lucrative events to be hosted in Sri Lanka. It would have been a harbinger for the planned inaugural LPL (Lanka Premier League) T20 and the proposed T10 League. The LPL has been postponed several times this year, largely because they have yet to find takers for some of the franchises, while the National T10 League has pushed back to next year.

Bangladesh Cricket Board’s unreasonable demand requesting a three-day quarantine for their touring team was the final straw which broke the camel’s back. Sri Lanka agreed to allow the players to begin training from the eighth day onwards in a bio-secure bubble. Three members from the Bangladesh touring party had tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the tour of Sri Lanka. In hindsight, SLC may be heaving a sigh of relief that the tour was called off because of Bangladesh’s refusal to adhere to the government’s COVID-19 protocols and justified the health ministry’s stance of compliance considering the latest viral outbreak.

Nonetheless, the implications of Bangladesh’s tour not taking place are manifold especially at a time when UAE, which recorded more than 1,000 cases a day, are successfully staging the IPL (Indian Premier League) with players being required to be in quarantine only for six days. In fact, even Europe, which was the worst hit by the coronavirus epidemic, has opened up its borders and is conducting major tournaments.  England played host to Pakistan in July with Premier League football resuming.

Tennis also conducted Grand Slam tournaments – the US Open and French Open. European football leagues are continuing as scheduled.

The show goes on albeit in empty stadiums with the doors being shut to the public.

Sports men and women used to the adrenalin of adulation and playing in front of packed audiences are also getting accustomed to the ‘new normal’ of containing their emotions in celebrations with fist bumps and stuff grateful for the fact that they are plying their trade and engaging in their passion on the field of play.

Sri Lanka’s authorities on the other hand were wary and seemed ill-prepared to tackle the crisis which has been blow out of proportion. Whereas most countries have a detailed guideline on how to return to training and competition gradually, there is no document that could have been used as the standard safety requirement for sports bodies to implement.

The sports ministry did come up with a guideline for the resumption of national pool residential training for cricket, rugby and football in the immediate aftermath when restrictions were eased in July. However, apart from cricket, with no international events on the calendar, it was a worthless exercise. Football also convened the national pool, largely for new head coach Amir Alagic to scout for new talent, conducted an invitation FFSL President’s Cup tournament in August whereas rugby was more concerned with electing a new set of office-bearers.

However, Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) did come up with a comprehensive plan to restart the season beginning with two Sevens tournaments this month. More significantly, SLR’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Namith Sankalpana formulated a document based on World Rugby guidelines and even conducted a workshop on a ‘Safe Return to Rugby’ with all stakeholders of the sport. They also appointed a former SLR president Christopher Jordache as ‘Covid Director’ to coordinate with all participating teams. The focus was on four special areas using simple strategies for home and practice environment, administrative sector, match venue and match day. It detailed how to conduct practices, the precautions you have to take in your club and how to conduct matches.

“But the problem is in Sri Lanka, we don’t have guidelines. It should come from the health ministry through the DG (Director General) of Health Services. If he issues, a guideline it is a rule in Sri Lanka. Otherwise this is just a document,” Dr Sankalpana was reported as saying. The Acting DG of Health Services only defined contact sports that are high-risk, low-risk or have medium-risk without specifying the actual guidelines that need to be followed.

Sports Minister Rajapaksa came like a breath of fresh air and sparked a revival of sports competitions beginning with Surfing in Hambantota and Arugam Bay. Although there was no specific return to guidelines, contact sports like boxing resumed at provincial level as part of the 46^th National Sports Festival. The first selection trials for athletics were to be held this month. The latest outbreak has brought sports to a grinding halt once again.

Another downside is the effect it has had on even national cricketers financially.

“We are professional players and cricket is our bread and butter,” Sri Lanka fast bowler Suranga Lakmal was reported as saying. “Yes, we get our contract payments every quarter. But, financially, we have lost a huge deal over the last several months. We understand it but can we ever get back this lost period of our career? The damage this has caused is immense.”

If cricketers are feeling the pinch, just imagine what others are going through.

-ENCL