Injustice in selection of junior squash players

Published : 7:45 pm  June 14, 2011 |  One comment  |     |   (8)  |  

Selection of teams in four age categories to represent Sri Lanka at the 18th Junior Asian Squash Championships to be held in Jordan from June 21 to 26 is alleged to be unfair and unjust.

Trials were conducted by the two officials of the Sports Ministry who are in charge of looking after the affairs of Squash in Sri Lanka until they conduct elections to elect officials.

Some parents allege that the trials were conducted haphazardly and that some of the good players did not turn up. However, the parents allege that some of the players selected to represent the country have not even won at a local tournament in their age group.

As this is a junior tournament for players in the age groups of Under 13, 15, 17 and 19 have been selected to represent the country. Four players were selected from each age group but only two players will be making the trip in the Under 19 group.

The Ministry officials who selected the players have also asked the players to pay for their own trip, but the expenses for four officials, who will be travelling along with the players, are paid by the Ministry. They have also approved to send two coaches for this sport.

However, if one can remember, the Ministry disapproved the selection of a coach to accompany the Sri Lanka badminton team to participate in an Asian Championship recently. So why is this double standard by the Sports Ministry?

While the parents allege that the players selected are the favourites of the selectors, the Ministry is also presenting colours to those who will be going to Amman, Jordan. The top players in these age groups have been left out of the list to be presented with colours, say the parents.

(By T. B. Rahaman)