Pay Package Deals Need Genuine Negotiators

Monday 6th March, 2006 11

s rumours, Yahaluweni, flat rate there are also Test and have a bad habit of obfus- limited overs international Acating the truth, paying appearance fees as well as extra too much attention to so-called bonuses for those with 100 Test stories carries with it a danger or 300 LOIs as well as win and of hiding the facts. loss bonuses. But this particular rumour The system needs a serious has more substance and is with- overhaul; negotiations transpar- out a hidden agenda. It is about ent and a look at what lies what the players in the national beyond next year’s Caribbean squad are likely earn over the World Cup carnival. This at least next 12 months. That is to the would give the next generation end of the 2007 World Cup in the of players a chance to prove Caribbean. themselves. It is where a provin- As most of the top players cial franchise system, similar to here draw a handsome salary that in South Africa, is needed. and a few perks that go with it, As Sidat Wettimuny explained they are among the best paid during a recent interview, ‘It is sportsmen in South Asia. This is an identity factor. If you don’t as it should be. And despite often have an identity there is no unfair criticism, there are a lot belonging. If there is no sense of of guys who are all too keen to belonging you are not going to sacrifice hours away from fami- play the game in the right place.’ ly and a so-called real profession How right he is. to play for their country. In this case, to offer someone It is where talent and person- US$15,000 a year when he plays a al ambition along with taking major role in winning a Test or pride in what they do that needs two and a couple of limited to be looked at as well as long- overs matches is an insult. term future and what lies An evaluation committee is beyond. It is ‘what comes after needed to look at such matters; retirement’ question that also five drawn from a field of former needs to be taken into serious Test captains, team managers consideration. Pay package and the selection panel convener Herb Elliott was a particular- acting as an advisor with recom- ly fine Australian 800 and 1500 mendation. It is when you get metres athlete in his day with too many chiefs involved that Olympic and Commonwealth the messy horse-trading deals gold medals and world track take place and lower the tone of records begging to be knocked the negotiations. over one day by someone better. deals need Hopefully, those working out He had not been beaten in an Russel Arnold was surprisingly left out when Sri Lanka Cricket announced its con- the sums get the packages and event since he was 14. Yet at 22 tracted players last year. Will he receive the same treatment this time too? the names right. he quit. ‘How do you,’ he was century (or stitching together a package and should have been At least the future for some- asked in a particular television fighting half century in such seriously reprimanded. But let one as the lanky Farveez show, ‘at such a young age, stop circumstances), negates the us move on. Maharoof is looking brighter. the rest of your life being an genuine skills of whoever is involved. In Is there anyone out there who Give this hard-working all- anti-climax?’ this sense, where matches are knows, or understands what rounder a level of responsibility It was a seriously fair ques- lost, individual efforts are sports employment law con- and he will answer the chal- tion and one that those holding ignored because the team lost. tains? Is there such an animal in lenge. Injury hampered his the purse strings in Maitland The tighter the game the the nation’s convoluted sports efforts during the India tour and Place also need to look at when harder the effort of the players. law? The answer to this query he didn’t play a role in the VB they draw up a list of candidates No one likes to lose. Pressure? met with an evasive ‘what’ excla- Series. It was serious frustration for the 2006/07 national players’ negotiators Hype? These are metaphorical mation. This being the case, how for this highly talented young- contracts. Rumours floating media driven words; comments can fair negotiations be made on ster. around leafy Colombo 7 corri- designed to titillate behalf of players in Bangladesh Hopefully, he is now going to dors and in far off Bogra objected to such crooked deals. He had an spectators suppos- and those sitting at home with- be given a chance to develop his (Bangladesh) suggest it is being When pay negotiations were assessment edly involved in the out fair arbitration or represen- talents at seven in the order. done this week – maybe during made the subject of the Mumbai panel of eight pile of disgusting tation? Or those hoping for a This has been urged more than the second Test. offer was leaked and while former top play- clichés tabloid writ- deal as the national side gears once in these notes and as one of Elliot’s reply was ‘Do a bit of administrators declined to ers who were ers use; chewed fin- towards CWC07 in the the new generation players and coaching but mainly at this age acknowledge it existed, it was expert in top gernails, cliff-hang- Caribbean, where more all- one oozing talent, Maharoof ’s it is about finding a new chal- used as a lever to revamp the corporate fields er, edge of the seat rounders are going to be added maiden Test half-century did lenge and get on with life’. It is system. It led to monthly pay to look at the stuff; and so on... to the list. what had always been expected easier for some than others. level packages (not yearly deals whole provin- Yuck. Whispers are that the senior of a young man with a mission. Placing price-tags on a play- as seems to be done here), cial structure These days the group are on US$60,000. Anyway, why bother hiring ers’ ability though is not, objec- worked out to aid a player (and and make rec- most organised pay Frankly, that is US$20,000 too cable TV when a nine-hour sup- tively, the best way to look at a his family) needs. ommendations. package negotiated low. The top structure should ply power cut in this part of the players’ worth. It is a pretty It was also where for a time From this, the deals come out of start at US$80, 000 with other universe prevented watching the demeaning tactic; like going bar- hidden politics played a role and formula for bet- England, Australia, levels scaled down in categories side wrap up their victory in gain house hunting to get the where the system became rid- ter negotiated Chittagong. Having learnt not to by Trevor Chesterfield New Zealand, South of US$10,000. The example of best deal. In this, selectors have dled with flaws. Instead of look- professional Africa and now what is happening in other coun- rely on the edited version of too much say. Sure, they can put ing at a player as a skilled enter- deals were India. They have tries needs more careful exami- Channel Eye’s highlights to give forward recommendations and tainer on a giant open air stage, devised and improved. It was not men who have played the game nation. Better pay for players you an idea of how victory was make suggestions, but how they looked at other areas; that the horse-trading system of old, and are expert in financial fields will keep them working harder achieved as they are as shoddy many hidden agendas are there of not having the right back- but a structured player-perform- involving human resources and and the intensity of competition as the rest of their dysfunctional in this line of thought? ground (or school). Little won- ance related system. upliftment. And this is what is for places in the side will have programming, it was a matter of They did away with this style der it lost credibility and the There is a flat monthly fee. important in the bigger picture. an extra edge. a 24 hour wait for a better pro- of demeaning horse-trading in players rejected the concept. Next are the bonus fees; for lim- Sport is about individual human Private enquiries showed that duced cable version. South Africa after a players’ Richardson, a trained lawyer, ited overs – this is based on effort and revolves around what the levels are US$60,000 (six At least the switch-on was in revolt in the mid-1990s, about the former Test wicketkeeper and wickets, runs, economy rates, is a common denominator; players), US$25,000 (three play- time to see Saf put Australia, time that Hansie Cronje and the now in charge of ICC Cricket strike rates and then a win human resources. ers) and US$15,000 (two players). with Ricky Ponting still absent team were in Mumbai and Operations was a shrewd nego- bonus addition. As limited overs Take the example of Russel Just why there is such a large along with Andrew Symonds in offered a lump $250,000 to throw tiator for the players. It wasn’t games can often be tight with Arnold. He has proved that he is disparity in the scheme displays their place; demolished at a benefit match. Dave player power that was going to last-over results, denying a play- worth at least a US$50,000 a year skewed thinking. It is not good Newlands in Cape Town and Richardson, Andrew Hudson take over to look after their er a performance related bonus deal. Those in charge last year for the health of the game or the Makhaya Ntini picking up and Derek Crookes immediately interests, but commonsense. is demeaning. Scoring a losing came back with an insulting players involved. Along with the career best figures.

Fifty years celebrations at Old Southern Province TT results Thomians' Swimming Club The inaugural Southern Eranga Himal (Richmond Devananda College, Open men’s singles — K. Established in 1956, The Old Blues on, 9th, 10th and 11th March Province Table Tennis College, Galle) beat Randula Ambalangoda) beat Pavithra S. T. Lakshan (Old Devians Thomians' Swimming Club will be 2006, will be a beautifully decorated Championship was held at St. Gayal (Dharmashoka College, Gimhani (Dharmashoka Sports Club, Ambalangoda) celebrating it's Golden Jubilee this OTSC Tent with 900 tickets up for Mary’s Convent Matara, from Ambalangoda) 09/11, 11/05, College, Ambalangoda), 15/13, beat Sanka Dananjaya year. sale for the members with a live band February 24 to 26. 11/09, 09/11, 11/08. 11/16, 11/09. (Dharmashoka College, The committee has lined up a and DJ music and a separate kitchen The championship was con- Under 12 girls’ singles — Under 18 boys’ singles — Ambalangoda), 11/07, 11/08, series of activities for a grand cele- to cater to all food requirements. ducted by the Matara District Nuwani Nawodya Hashintha Shashiranga 11/07. bration during the year which will kick There will be many prizes and sur- Table Tennis Association in (Dharmashoka College, (Dharmashoka College, The chief guest, Chandana off with the opening of an exclusive prises for the members and their collaboration with St. Mary’s Ambalangoda) beat Erandhi Ambalangoda) beat Ishan Perera, general secretary, bar to cater to the members and their guests at the tent and also at the club Convent, Matara. Warusawithana Kalyana. (Dharmashoka Table Tennis Association of guests in the upper floor of the club house during the year. (Dharmashoka College, College, Ambalangoda) 09/11, Sri Lanka, distributed the house. The President and the Committee Final results: Ambalangoda) 11/09, 11/06, 11/09, 08/11, 11/07, 11/09. awards. Sister Sandamali This opening will be on March 3 of Old Thomians' Swimming Club Under 8 girls’ singles - 12/10. Women’s doubles — Kurera, president, Matara with special invitees being the past would like to invite all members to be Sanduni De Silva Under 12 boys’ singles — Nelumi Gunasekera /Kalpani District Table Tennis presidents of the club. a part of all activities planned. For (Dharmashoka College, Sashintha Shashiranga Nisansala beat Dinusha Association, was also present. The other activities lined up by the further details, please call the Ambalangoda) beat Ovindi (Dharmashoka College, Manoji/Wasana Chaathurangi Sister Sandamali Kurera is committee includes 12 theme nights Manager, Cyrilton Sellahewa on Madushani (Dharmashoka Ambalangoda) beat Imantha 11/13, 11/07, 08/11, 11/04, the principal of St. Mary’s on a monthly basis - and at the annu- 2716529 or visit our website al big match - the 127th Battle of The www.otseml.org. (Media release) College, Ambalangoda) 05/11, Udanjaya (Dharmashoka 12/10. Convent, Matara. 11/09, 09/11, 11/03, 11/08. College, Ambalangoda) 11/07, Men’s doubles — K. S. T. Under 8 boys’ singles — 11/06, 11/13, 11/01. Lakshman/Hashintha Nuwantha Niroshana Under 15 girls’ singles — Shashiranga beat Sanka (Dharmashoka College, Dinusha Manoji (Sri Dananjaya/Chameera Ginige Madi elected for the fourth time Ambalangoda) beat Supuna Devananda College, 11/06, 07/11, 11/06, 10/12,12/10. M. Madigasekera was elected general the past year, was elected vice president. Games Secretaries: Warusawithana Ambalangoda), beat Chamathi Mixed doubles - Kalpani secretary, (uncontested), for the fourth suc- Office-bearers for the year 2005/2006 Cricket: K. G. P. Amarasinghe. (Dharmashoka College, Sudhara (Sangamitta Balika Nissansala/K. S. T. Lakshman cessive year at the Central Bank President: K. G. D. D. Dheerasinghe. Badminton: P. V. P. S. Perera. Athletics: G. Ambalangoda) 06/11, 11/08, Vidyalaya), 11/09, 11/07, 11/08. beat Chavindya De Silva /R. Recreation Club Annual General Meeting, V/President: Udara M. Bandara, L. Y. S. C. Dahanayake. Netball: L. Caldera. 11/05, 11/08. Under 15 boys’ singles — M. Lakshitha 09/11, 11/08, which was held recently, at the Central Dharmasena. Gen. Secretary: M. Swimming: A. G. S. Palitha. Football: P. H. Under 10 girls’ singles — Chathura Wiskam (Sri 09/11, 11/09, 11/06. Bank premises. Madigasekera. Asst. Secretary: A. W. J. Mendis. Volleyball: A. G. S. Asoka. Kushini Ransara Devananda College, Open women’s singles — Assistant governor K. G. D. D. Mohottala. Treasurer: P. Gedarawatte. Basketball: F. J. Fernando. Indoor Games (Dharmashoka College, Ambalangoda) beat Shashi Nelumi Gunasekera Dheerasinghe was elected uncontested for Asst. Treasurer: C. A. Ariyadasa. Auditor: P. Secretaries: K. J. Kandewatte, K. Vijitha Ambalangoda) beat Thamodhi Fernando (Sri Devananda (Dharmashoka College, the second successive year as the Hon. V. L. Nandasiri. Kumara. Anuradha (Dharmashoka College, Ambalangoda) 15/13, Ambalangoda) beat Pavithra President. Premadasa Gedarawattege, Committee Members: Asoka Social Secretaries: D. D. N. College, Ambalangoda) 11/08, 18/16, 11/09. Gimhani (Dharmashoka who has held many key positions in the Handagama, Capt. K. A. S. H. Vilathgamuwa, H. P. A. I. Ariyasinghe. 10/12, 12/10, 11/07. Under 18 girls’ singles — College, Ambalangoda) 11/09, past was elected treasurer. Udara M. Karunathilake, W. G. S. S. J. Keerthiratne, Non-Executive Committee Member Under 10 boys’ singles — Dinusha Manoji (Sri 11/08, 11/07. Bandara who excelled as treasurer during H. M. K. de Silva, K. M. S. P. Jayawardane. (Media Adviser): A. S. K. Hewavitharana.