Indonesia’s hosting rights for U-20 World Cup, stripped

Published

9 months ago

March 30, 2023

editor

Fifa has stripped Indonesia of hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup.

The decision follows the cancellation of the official draw for the tournament, which was due to be held in Bali last Friday.

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) said Fifa was forced to cancel the draw after Bali’s governor Wayan Koster refused to host the Israeli team.

The U20 World Cup is set to take place from 20 May to 11 June.

Indonesia does not have any formal diplomatic ties with Israel and recently protesters have held marches demanding Israel be stopped from competing in the tournament, in support of Palestine.

Indonesia were awarded hosting rights in 2019, before Israel qualified for the tournament. England’s U20 team is also set to compete.

“Fifa has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the Fifa U20 World Cup 2023,” a Fifa statement said.

“A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged. Potential sanctions against the PSSI may also be decided at a later stage.”

Half an hour before Fifa’s announcement, PSSI executive committee member Arya Sinulingga said he was “very pessimistic” about Indonesia keeping the hosting rights.

“If we make political requirements in sports, it’ll always be like this. We will be exiled from the football ecosystem.

“It’s very tough for all of us. We’re headed into a calamity in sports. We have to separate football or sports and politics.”

(BBC News)

Harin names selection committee

Published

3 hours ago

December 11, 2023

editor

Sports Minister Harin Fernando has appointed a five-member selection committee for Sri Lanka Cricket headed by Former Captain Upul Tharanga.

The committee is as follows : Upul Tharanga (Chairman), Ajantha Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Tharanga Paranavithana and Indika De Seram

Chamari Athapaththu unpicked in WPL auction

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2023

editor

Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu went unsold in the first round of auctions for the second season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).

The Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) also went unsold during the first edition of the WPL.

The WPL Auction concluded in Mumbai on Saturday with 30 out of the 165 registered being sold to the five teams.

Annabel Sutherland and Kashvee Gautam were the top buys of the day, being sold to the Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants respectively for Rs. 2 crores.

Sri Lankan ground staff awarded promised cash reward – SLC

Published

5 days ago

December 6, 2023

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket states that they have commenced the distribution of the US$50,000 award (LKR 16 million) money promised during the Asia Cup to the ground staff of the RPICS, Colombo, and PICS, Kandy.

Accordingly, 138 members of the ground staff of the RPICS, Colombo, who worked during the Asia Cup 2023 (permanent and contract employees) were rewarded for their effort, while 115 members of the ground staff of the PICS, Kandy, will receive their reward this Friday.

A media statement by the SLC further notes :

The staff of both venues did a yeomen service during the tournament to ensure the practice facilities, outfield, pitches, covering and uncovering of the ground, and related services were in place and in time to conduct the tournament successfully, despite the bad weather conditions that prevailed during that time.

Curators, turf supervisors, ground staff, and technical staff are among the recipients of the reward payment.

The rewards were granted to the RPICS ground staff by the National Curator, Mr. Godfrey Dabrera, this morning.

The rewards were awarded jointly by the Asian Cricket Council and Sri Lanka Cricket, with each institution contributing US$25,000.