Netball Federation President Victoria Lakshmi briefing the media at the Sports Ministry yesterday. Also in the picture; Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe and National junior Netball coach Amalka Gunatilleka ( pix courtesy Sports Ministry media)
"We will take disciplinary action against players who were engaged in the unpleasant incident at South Korea during Asian Junior Netball Championship, said Natball Federation President Victoria Lakshmi at the press conference held at Sports Ministry Auditorium yesterday.
"We won't hide anything but at the moment we are doing inquiry into this incident (few players consumed alcohol at hotel). We have all proof and wanted to investigate correctly and mete out punishment, we never favour any person".
Some media pointed out two officials also involved with players at this unpleasant incident but Netball president said that story is not correct. We wanted to appreciate our players achievement and they were third place to get World Cup qualification in New Zealand next year ".
The Netball president further said she has managers report and wanted to hand over it to the Sports Ministry as soon as possible and take action against players who engaged with that ugly incident. We don't protect that type of players", said Victoria Lakshmi who is also in charge of Asian Netball Federation.
"I always pointed out school coaches are suitable for Junior National coaching. Two umpires who engaged with Junior Netball Championship were outstanding while Eranga Sithara will get chance to officiate World Cup Netball and that is going to be first time a Sri Lankan umpire officiating at World Cup," said Netball Chief.
Meanwhile National junior Netball coach Amalka Gunatilleka said she was unhappy about selection of the junior team before this tour. "I tried to point out centre and defensive players are not up to expectations and give good players for that positions but that was not done and finally had to satisfied with third place".
"At the moment our senior Netball team led by Gayanjali Amarawansa getting ready for World Cup which will commence from July 28 in Cape town South Africa. We have plan to go Botswana one week before World Cup and will play three games against National Botswana team and few clubs which will arranged by Botswana Netball and Sri Lanka community in Botswana.
Head coach Thilaka Jinadasa and her staff are making good effort with the team. Before the World Cup Sri Lanka team will play practice game against South Africa team and our first World Cup game is against Jamaica. "As a Asian Netball president I have capacity to get support from other Asian countries and especially from UAE I have discussed with them to get more match exposure," added Victoria.
"We wanted to give our appreciation to Sport Ministry which gave good support to Junior Netball Championship tour while they always give their blessings to us for Netball development. I already discussed with Sport Minister about our issues and he gave Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium and few sponsors have come forward to support us," said Netball chief.
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