Ministry says no to Rs 2 million foreign netball coach

According to an official the requested package for the coach amounts to Rs.2 million per month of which Rs.1.6 is a monthly allowance.

By Susil Premalal

A proposal by the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL) to secure the services of an international coach on a short-term basis ahead of the 14th Asian Senior Netball Championship in 2026 has been declined by the Ministry of Sports.

The Asian Senior Netball Championship, which will be held in Hong Kong from August 7 to 16, will also serve as a qualifying event for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, with the top two teams earning qualification.

Following discussions with ministry officials, the NFSL recommended Jamaican consultant coach Connie Francis as a suitable candidate for the position. However, the Ministry of Sports has rejected the proposal citing financial constraints and concerns over the effectiveness of the proposal.

According to an official the requested package for the coach amounts to Rs.2 million per month of which Rs.1.6 is a monthly allowance.

Officials at the Ministry have expressed concerns regarding such a substantial investment, questioning whether a four month short-term appointment would yield meaningful results.

Complicating the situation is the absence of several senior players from the current national squad due to them not participating in the recent selection trials.

Consisting of 30 players, the national netball outfit is currently under the guidance of head coach Somitha de Alwis. The appointment of a voluntary assistant coach also remains pending, reportedly due to the absence of a preferred candidate.