Sri Lanka’s participation in table tennis at the XXII Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England has been cancelled after two of the four players selected flew to the United States ostensibly for training without approval.
The two paddlers Krishan Wickramaratne and Milinda Lakshitha had travelled to Texas without informing the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL) earlier this month putting authorities in a quandary.
The Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) of Sri Lanka announced that the biggest ever contingent of 165 comprising 114 athletes and 51 officials would be participating in Birmingham 2022 from July 28 to August 8. Sri Lanka were to participate in 15 disciplines at the Games but the authorities have yet to officially release the final tour party.
US-based athlete Ushan Thiwanka also made himself unavailable because of a visa wrangle while Sri Lanka’s non-participation in table tennis meant the Birmingham 2022 contingent could be reduced to less than 60.
“Table tennis got cancelled as the NF (national federation) permitted two players to go to the USA irresponsibly issuing letters and now they are not even responding. The Sports Ministry and NF are responsible to take disciplinary action against these two players. In fact I am not sure whether the organisers (Commonwealth Games Federation) would impose a penalty for last minute cancellation,” Maj. Gen. Dampath Fernando (rtd), Chef-de-Mission of Sri Lanka’s contingent told the Sunday Observer.
The Sri Lanka’s table tennis squad were not originally invited to take part in the Games but got the opportunity after another country withdrew. There was a cloud over the selection process as well after Rohan Sirisena, the only paddler who qualified to take part in the singles event at the Games made himself unavailable to pursue a coaching stint in the United States.
Supuna Warusawithana was named in his place, while Krishan Wickramaratne, Milinda Lakshitha and Chameera Ginige were also selected for the Commonwealth Games.
No replacement has also been announced for national high jump athlete Thiwanka, according to sources. Ironically, the National Sports Selection Committee (NSSC) axed US-based South Asian marathon champion Hiruni Wijayaratne despite being one of several overseas stars recommended by the national athletic selectors headed by Olympian Wimalasena Perera.
The Sri Lankan record holder in the women’s marathon was eagerly looking forward to winning a medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games after finishing in 11th position at 2018 Gold Coast.
“I was happy to see my name among athletes selected from Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Games and representing the Sri Lankan team gives me great pleasure as a Sri Lankan. I must thank Sri Lanka Athletics for selecting me for these Games after considering my performances.
“My preparation is going very well. I do my regular training here in the USA and was able to finish the 5000m best second time once again as well as National records in long distance events which always gives a big boost to me. I always keep my fitness to do my events and am focused on the Birmingham Games.
“Especially since my last Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast in 2018 I was able to run a marathon under the last Commonwealth Games timing. I finished 11th at the last Commonwealth Games and looking forward to bettering my position this time,” said Wijayaratne in an interview with Daily News in May.
But her dreams of bringing glory to the country were shattered when the NSSC did not approve her selection.
“Through the past years, I’ve never asked for something I didn’t earn. Every international team I’ve made is because I’ve run a National Record or an all-time top South Asian mark. In the past year I’ve had some setbacks, and have not been able to perform at the level I was at before. I’m not concerned, as I know I will get back to that top level again,” Wijayaratne told the Sunday Observer when asked how she felt missing out on Birmingham 2022.
“I want to make sure I do my job as an athlete and child of Sri Lanka to continue to keep our country relevant in distance running competitions. I do not need the permission of any man or woman to do that. I’ve accomplished all that I have by my own will before, and when I do it again, the credit will once again go to me,” said Wijayaratne who finished second in the Dusseldorf Marathon 2019 in Germany and qualified for the IAAF World Championship in Doha and also represented Sri Lanka at the 2018 Asian Games.