Former president of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation (SLNF) Victoria Lakshmi will be hotly challenged by former player Caryll Tozer for the post of president at the election of office bearers to be held on May 31 at the Sports Ministry Auditorium.
Padma Beddewela and Vajira Pushpakumari have also submitted their nominations for the top post but will most probably withdraw their names to leave the race to be contested by just two candidates.
Lakshmi is also the current vice president of the Asian Netball Federation and has vast experience having worked as a VP and president of the SLNA.
However, she will have stiff opposition by way of Tozer who is a former national player who has experience being active in the administrative field with the National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Lakshmi has been a former national player, captain of the Army team and a senior banking officer who is keen to develop netball to reach the top spot.
Caryll wants to change the system that will enable the sport to be uplifted to international standard. Both candidates are also keen on marketing the players as professionals.
The Asian Netball Championship will be held in September in Singapore while defending champions Sri Lanka is preparing to retain the title.
This will be a big challenge for the five times champions due to the hard times faced by them in the country and a challenge for the new administration to use their skills and support the players to win the Asian title first before working on a long term plan.
The main areas that need attention will be in coaching, training and support for the district and provincial associations.