Promoting sport in East

The Government’s plan to build an international cricket stadium in Batticaloa as the piece de resistance to mark the culmination of its mega development plan for the East is a most welcome move.

It would signal the end of the sporting isolation of that part of the country brought about by the conflict and signal the integration of the nation as one cohesive unit participating in all field of endeavour be it sports, development or the arts.

It would certainly be a crowing landmark in the Government’s Eastern Resurgence programme to elevate the Easterners on par with the rest of their brethren in the South. One hopes that very soon this scenario would be a reality in the North as well.

According to a newspaper report yesterday the International Cricket Stadium will be the grand finale in the development projects proceeding at a frenetic pace.

Not only that, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board is exploring the possibility of holding the first international match in the East by 2010. SLC chief Arjuna Ranatunga had in fact visited the East to draw up a blueprint for the development of the sport there.

Who knows if the next Muralitharan or Maharoof or for that matter an Ajantha Mendis would emerge from the East ? Sri Lanka’s cricketing stocks can only be enriched by the move. Who would have thought that the East would be the venue for an International Cricket Stadium five years ago ? Not even an incurable optimist would have given a chance for sports to thrive in the atmosphere that prevailed.

That was a time when large swathes of territory were in the hands of the LTTE and the only sport visible was the marksmanship of both the Security Forces and the LTTE waging battle against each other.

Instead of bats and balls the youth were carrying guns and bombs. Nay they could not afford the luxury of any form of recreation for that matter when their only instinct was survival. Let alone international stadiums they hardly had space for any outdoor pursuits the guns and bombs laying waste all land and pieces of real estate which could otherwise have been converted to sports fields at a different time.

That this time has arrived is due to the singular sacrifice of our valiant Security Forces backed by steadfast political leadership to liberate the East from the clutches of the LTTE.

They could now compete on par and win equal accolades for their skills and talents as their Southern brethren in the field of sports. All infrastructure and wherewithal should be provided to these youth to give full vent to their talents.

One should also not lose sight of the long term implications of this development for national unity. This is an ideal opportunity for bridge building and coalescing for a common cause - that of bringing honour to the Motherland.

It would also open the doors for equal opportunities, the denial of which formed the main grievance for the alienation of the minority communities from the national mainstream.

This deliverance from isolation is what formed the basis even in the agitations of the South as exemplified by the Colombata kiri apita kekiri cry. Sports they say is a great leveller and the Government has pulled off a great coup by hitting upon this idea of “Unity through Sports”.

As universally accepted sports has a better chance to promote racial amity. It would go a long way towards healing the wounds among the different communities who have been torn asunder for decades due to distrust and suspicion.

It would also act as an healing balm on the Tamil psyche which had been labouring under the grievance of discrimination. As a source of character formation sports more than any other means would help wean away youth from the rebellion and revenge mentality.

Thus the idea of promoting sports in all liberated areas should be pursued with vigour. This would transform these youth to being partners in the country’s victories and share in joys of its triumphs and achievements bringing about a sea change in our ethnic relations.

The Sports Ministry should get activated and set up sports clubs and other centres of youth activity without losing time cashing in on the current goodwill. It is hoped that Sri Lanka’s cricket will be served even better in the future with the availability of new talents emerging from a hitherto untried and untapped source.

As the International cricket stadium takes shape no doubt all Sri Lankan sporting fans would be waiting for the day when they can travel to Batticaloa and cheer as one with their Eastern brethren the exploits of our cricketers, waving Lion flags and dancing to the beats of papara bands and all.