Former Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has criticised the Government for Sri Lanka losing the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy hosting rights, warning that the decision could disadvantage the country's female cricketers.
Sri Lanka has relinquished its hosting rights for the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy, prompting political scrutiny over the decision. The loss comes while Sri Lanka Cricket operates under a government-appointed interim administration, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the tournament transfer.
Former Sports Minister and SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa voiced strong opposition to the development, arguing that losing the tournament represents more than a missed international event. According to Rajapaksa, the country has forfeited potential revenue, exposure, and opportunities that could have benefited Sri Lankan women's cricket.
Rajapaksa emphasised that personal agendas and power struggles among administrators and politicians ultimately harm athletes rather than decision-makers themselves. He called for institutional leadership to prioritise the sport and its athletes over individual interests, stating that cricket administration should operate independently of political interference.
The former minister warned that Sri Lanka cannot afford to lose opportunities for its athletes due to internal disputes among governing bodies. He urged those in charge to set aside competing interests and focus on national cricket priorities, particularly protecting the advancement of women's cricket in the country.