Game going wrong way

Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lanka World Cup winning captain from the time he put on the cap as Chairman, Interim Committee, Sri Lanka Cricket, has been good copy for sports writers, especially those experts on cricket.

When he sported the cap, the consensus was that finally the game had got the man it wanted, and everyone pinned their hopes that Ranatunga would bat as aggressively he did when in the middle and score for the game and administration.

Ranatunga looked the cricketing messiah. With his experience and know-how and watching hawkeyed the sins that were being committed in the name of the game, the administration and the finances etc. after quitting the game, expectations ran high as he took office and it also warmed the cockles of all sports lovers.

But all expectations exploded and from the time he took over to now, the game and the administrations has been travelling the wrong way. True as captain he could have dictated terms on the field and had his way.

But somebody should have told him that playing is one thing and administration is another.

Going down memory lane, it would not be wrong to think that no other IC chairman, became so unpopular and had so much adverse publicity tossed his way as has been done on the former captain.

It is said that adverse publicity is the best publicity. And we thinks Ranatunga likes it that way. That sees him more in the news daily.

Having been a cricketer, Ranatunga understands that when he did well several were the hossanas that came in buckets full. When he failed brickbats too came in buckets full. So Ranatunga must be able to take and also give.

As a cricketer and a administrator of the most popular and prestigious game in the country, he must stand tall and face it, as he did the thunderbolts of some of the world's fearsome fast bowlers when he was taking strike.

Well said Arjuna!

Having said that, the writer offers a big bouquet to Ranatunga for the wonderful interview he gave an agency in Toronto where the Twenty20 was being played.

Ranatunga batted for Pakistan and strongly told the International Cricket Council to form a policy to end double standards of players to save Pakistan cricket.

Now that was Ranatunga batting and batting in great style. He lamented teams not touring Pakistan citing security concerns and thereby isolating cricket being played in Pakistan.

Ranatunga directly pointed his finger at his old enemy Australia, who he said refused to play the IOC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, but showing their double standards by touring India where security concerns abound there too.

Now that's well disguised 'carrom ball' and it sure would have bemused, caught the ICC sheiks flat-footed and bowled them without offering a stroke. At least in Ranatunga there seems to be a man who would stand up and talk and see that colour or creed has no place in sport and tell the ICC where they are wrong.

Ranatunga, although it is said that he said it in lighter vein had asked: "What if Pakistan organises a Twenty20 tournament like what is being done by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Then would not the cricketers say to hell with security and rush to play because the temptation of the big money was too good to even risk life?"

Now that is Ranatunga in his element. He pledged to always support Pakistan cricket. These are words of wisdom from 'captain cool' and it is hoped that ICC members would act on Ranatunga's sound thinking.

What's wrong with hockey?

It is encouraging to note that a new astro turf hockey pitch is to be laid out at the Ministry of Sports ground.

Since the game switched from grass to artificial turf, the game has sadly seen a slide.

In the late fifties and early sixties the game of hockey was at its best. Many tournaments were held and several were the visiting teams that played and showed their prowess with the curved wand here.

India and Pakistan who were then the world champions sent their teams out here and what exciting and entertaining ball play they displayed. The Lankan teams of that era too were able to stand up to these Asian powerhouses and give as good as they got.

Local club teams that ruled the local roost at that time were the Tamil Union, BRC, Old Bens, Youngsters SC, Colombo University and several other clubs.

The games between the Tamil Union. BRC, Old Bens and University were much looked forward to and what thrilling hockey was produced. Trophies that were contested for were the Andriesz Shield, Pioneer Cup, Bacon Cup and many other cups that were keenly contested. Where are they now?

At that time the newspapers gave the game wide coverage, because the game was news and so was the administration.

Much looked forward were the nationals, played in different districts.

Sri Lanka even played in the Asian Games and gave a good account of themselves.

One of the most popular columns that appeared when the game was at its best was titled 'Corner Flag' and written in the 'Sunday Times' by that expert on the game Subbiah Muttiah who was the Editor of that newspaper that was then grabbed by readers for its fearless and forthright writing.

Hockey fans would await the 'Sunday Times' and the 'Corner Flag' column because it was a no punches pulled column, well read, respected and digested.