Rohini Fernando, one of the pioneers of women’s cricket in Sri Lanka and a veteran sports administrator, feels more should be done to lift the standard and status of women cricketers in the country. In view of this, she has called for more recognition for women’s cricket in the island country. Fernando has also stressed the importance of discipline from players playing the game at all levels.
She is the founder member of the Colombo District Women’s Cricket Association (CDWCA) and the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Association (SLWCA). She was the secretary of the Women’s Section of Sri Lanka Softball Cricket Federation from 1988-1992 and Secretary of the Women’s Section of Sri Lanka Tennis Ball Cricket Association from 1993 to 1996, she was elected Secretary of the SLWCA in 1999, which is the national body for women’s Cricket as recognized by the Ministry of Sports. She was the secretary of the women’s committee of SLC in 2007 and 2008.
Fernando said, “The women’s cricket committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) should comprise past women cricketers. Now we have people who don’t have knowledge of the game. We have played enough cricket. It is in our blood. Administration wise we have organised many events.”
Her leather ball cricket career began at Bloomfield under the tutelage of Sri Lanka’s maiden Test captain Bandula Warnapura and Jayantha Seneviratne, before she moved to Nomads, a team she led in 1995, followed by a brief stint at BRC. She was also founder captain of Moratuwa SC in 1998.
She played an important role in introducing a project to have female cricket umpires in line with other countries with the assistance of BCCSL (SLC) K.T. Francis and B.C. Cooray.
Fernando believes that with more support and motivation for young girls, who are just starting out to play, there could be a greater improvement in women’s cricket in the country.
She stated, “More encouragement should be given for women’s cricket to be developed. I am happy to see some of the school girls are playing good cricket. That is the proper time and age to think of their future and the game. We are silently waiting to see their improvement.”
Source: www.sundaytimes.lk
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