Million dollar windfall for SLC from ICC
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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has received an outright grant of one million US dollars (approximately Rs. 133 million) from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to develop infrastructure for the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20 tournament.
The tournament will be held in Sri Lanka between September 18 and October 7 this year.
SLC President Upali Dharmadasa told “Daily Mirror” that the grant came as the result of a request they made to the ICC.
“We put the case up and we got an outright grant from ICC which was almost about a million dollars. (It is) not a loan. (It is) to buy the equipment, pitch covers, super soppers. We have made arrangements to order all those. We are doing some infrastructure improvement at the stadiums” Dharmadasa said.
He insisted that it will not have to be paid back to the ICC as it came as an outright grant. He specifically added that it will not be deducted from the dues for hosting the tournament.
“It will not be deducted from our dues. Not a cent will be deducted. We are basically towing line with ICC. We are getting the right kind of situation from the ICC” said Dharmadasa.
Dharmadasa said that every ground that hosts the tournament has to be fully equipped with all required infrastructure as unlike in the 2011 World Cup where there was not enough time to move equipment from one venue to another due to the rapid frequency of matches.
“For the World T20, we have to get the infrastructure in place. They (ICC) have just duplicated the agreement (documented) used for the 2011 World Cup for the upcoming World T20. (But) 2011 World Cup was run in three countries. The World T20 is in one country”.
He explained that the tournament moves from one venue to another rapidly as the whole tournament is to be held in the few Sri Lankan venues, thus leaving no time for infrastructure movement.
“All the matches are in Sri Lanka. So movement from one ground to another with short notice is not possible. We have to have infrastructure and material ready (at every venue)”.
Dharmadasa also revealed that the ICC has settled all dues for co-hosting the 2011 World Cup and added that the expenditure on world cup venues have also been settled.
“We have been given the dues from the World Cup (For) building of the grounds and the dues have been sorted out in a manner which was possible” said Dharmadasa.
Following closely on the heels of ICC’s generosity towards SLC, the local cricket officials have interestingly appointed ICC’s outgoing Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat as a consultant for a lavish payment of 100,000 US dollars (Rs. 13.5 million) for a 25-day period of work to advice the SLC.
Lorgat finished his four-year term as the ICC Chief Executive on June 30 this year and is tipped to take over as the Chief Executive of Cricket South Africa from January 1 next year.
By Channaka De Silva
It is good to hear about the generosity of ICC. But Mr. Dharmadasa should take all the necessary precautions to see that this money does not end up in the pockets of big sharks found withinSLC staff and in other polititians connected with sports ministry. In keeping with the corrupt situation prevailing within SLC and in other sports connected govt. institutions you have to be very clever and straight forward with this money with proper transparency. Keep your name clear from corruption.
At present almost all national Cricketers have come from the Coastal areas of SL only and the Game is appears to be dead in places like Kandy, Kurunegala from where the well built pace bowlers came in the past. More and more incentives should be created for youngsters,( but not for the officials at SLC) in order keep them in the Game. The publicity given to useless games that Sri Lanka cannot compete at International level should be curtailed. Because of ignorance of authorities our senior and young Teams are getting beaten by Countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other leading Cricketing Nations at regular basis.
Into the pockets of corrupt SLC officials.
ICC should know better than to give SLC any cash.
OKAY MACHAN. Dan gahapan . Lets start with the top and let’s go money is there and we are there. Gama Aluth Kamuu.
Hurrah says the SLCC big shots for they can squander this money too into their pockets and show a loss from the T20 world cups too.
If we cannot do anything else right at SLC, then I request Mr. Dhramadasa and this administration to publicly disclose in making a transparent audit of how this grant money is spent, so that our countrymen, ICC and international community can see for themselves.
ICC should have sent a shipment of these equipment rather than giveing money for these jokers. Now these jokers will play with the money
PLEASE PUT THE MONEY TO GOOD USE AS REQUIRED BY ICC. SEE THAT PROPPER EQUIPMENT ARE PURCHASED AND UNNECCESSARY COMMISSIONS ARE NOT PAID FOR PURCHASES TO SWINDLERS. EVERY RUPEE SPENT SHOULD BE ACCOUNTED FOR CORRECTLY.
Who will get the Tenpercent?
Its great to receive funds and hope all expenses will be fully tranparent and many will be watch and every controlling member will be accountable to each cent spend. otherwise some one should take them to courts.