The current National Badminton Doubles Champion pair Buthmi Galagamage and Nadeesha Gayanthi, have been dropped from the Commonwealth Badminton team due to take part this month, despite having selection trials.
It is learnt that both these players were denied their slots due to financial constraints owing to the economic crisis and being told they lack international exposure. However, it is also learnt that the two existing women’s players (selected for Singles and Mixed Doubles individually) are now to pair up for the Women’s Doubles instead of them.
Individual sports are to sponsor themselves for the trip and Sri Lanka Badminton had shown their willingness to sponsor both the Doubles players. However, the National Olympic Committee have not made the necessary arrangements for the player slots to accommodate both Buthmi and Nadeesha.
This raises a question on whether the team is forced to reduce players at the expense of dropping national champions in the format. Unlike Singles, Doubles is a different format and putting together two single players who are not experienced in playing together, will only result in the total opposite.
Initially, three slots were allocated for the badminton women’s team but now has been reduced to two. In other news, the table tennis team has a doubt in participation due to two players leaving for the USA for training without informing the relevant bodies. This can potentially result in the whole team not participating as this is a team event. This also opens room for player slots if they are unable to participate as a team.
The current crisis is affecting sports although team selections and allocating of slots are controllable. What is the rationality of having selections and then dropping players in the last minute if they are being told they are not up to international standard or medal prospects? How many other athletes can the Sri Lankan contingent afford to drop if the officials are not willing to make the necessary decisions?
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