By Hishan Welmilla
Sri Lanka’s disappointing campaign at the 14th Asian Netball Championship in Hong Kong should be treated as far more than a failure on the court. Finishing third and missing the opportunity to qualify for the Netball World Cup after 21 years represents a significant setback for a country that has traditionally been one of Asia’s leading netball nations.
The defeat should therefore trigger a serious examination of how the sport is administered, rather than simply placing the blame on the players or coaching staff.
Sri Lanka has talented players capable of competing at the highest level in Asia. However, talent alone cannot sustain international success. A modern sporting organisation requires professional administration, strategic planning, financial discipline, high-performance structures and strong leadership. The recent setbacks suggest that Sri Lanka Netball must now consider whether its existing governance structure is capable of delivering those requirements.
One important area that deserves urgent attention is the constitution governing Sri Lanka Netball. The current structure, which effectively restricts the governing body to women, should be reconsidered in the interests of professionalism and good governance.
This is not an argument against women’s leadership. Women have played, coached and administered Sri Lankan netball with tremendous dedication, and their contribution must continue to be respected. The issue is whether leadership positions should be determined by gender rather than competence, experience, professional qualifications and the ability to deliver results.
Sport has changed dramatically. Netball is no longer simply an amateur game administered through traditional structures. It is an international sporting industry involving sponsorship, broadcasting, athlete welfare, sports science, marketing, digital media, commercial partnerships and high-performance programs.
Sri Lanka therefore needs to examine successful international models. Singapore provides an example of a more professionally structured approach, where administrative and executive responsibilities are separated from the traditional representation of the sport. Sri Lanka should study such models and identify what can be adapted to its own circumstances.
One proposal that deserves serious consideration is the appointment of a professional Chief Executive Officer to manage the day-to-day affairs of Sri Lanka Netball. Such a position should be open to both men and women and should be filled through a transparent, merit-based recruitment process.
The CEO should not replace the elected governing body. Instead, the position should strengthen it by bringing professional management into the organisation. The elected officials can provide policy direction and represent the interests of the sport, while a professionally appointed CEO can be held accountable for implementing strategy, managing finances, developing commercial opportunities, coordinating national teams and establishing long-term development programs.
The writer has previously advocated the appointment of a professional male CEO following the 2018 World Cup, believing that introducing professional executive management could provide a fresh direction for the sport. This was again brought in 2025;
https://www.ft.lk/Sports/The-future-of-netball-in-Sri-Lanka/23-682720
https://www.ft.lk/sports/Sri-Lanka-Netball-at-crossroads-Navigating-crisis-and-seeking-revival/23-779301.
However, given the latest setback, there is a strong argument for beginning the reform process much earlier rather than waiting until another major tournament exposes the same weaknesses.
The Sports Ministry must therefore take the lead in initiating a comprehensive review of the Sri Lanka Netball constitution. Any amendments should be developed through consultation with former players, coaches, administrators, athletes, clubs, provincial associations, legal experts and sports-management professionals.
The objective should not be to remove women from the administration of netball. Quite the opposite: the objective should be to create a system where the best people—regardless of gender—can contribute their expertise.
Sri Lanka cannot afford another cycle of disappointment followed by temporary changes. The missed World Cup opportunity should become a turning point.
The Sports Minister now has an opportunity to modernise the governance of Sri Lankan netball, introduce professional executive management and establish clear accountability.
The players deserve nothing less. Sri Lankan netball deserves nothing less. And the millions of supporters who have stood behind the national team for decades deserve an administration capable of building a stronger future.
The time has come to change the constitution, professionalise the administration and give Sri Lankan netball the leadership structure it needs to return to the world stage.
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