Suspicions have arisen with regard to an alleged on-going cricket tournament titled the Uva Premier League T-20 in Sri Lanka.
The tournament consisting of 4 teams, the Wellawaya Vipers, Monaragala Hornets, Badulla Sea Eagles Mahiyanganaya Unilions, is said to be captained by former Cricketers T.M. Dilshan, Farveez Maharoof, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Tushara.
Various Indian websites had reported on social media that the Tournament which commenced at the Badulla Cricket Grounds on Monday (29) will continue till 05 July, displaying live scorecards of the match.
However, inquiries at the Badulla Cricket Grounds had revealed that no such match had taken place in recent days.
A facebook page under the handle Uva Premier League T20 had reported that the Uva Province Cricket Association had granted approval for the tournament.
When inquired, Deputy Chairman of the Uva Province Cricket Association Gayan Ovitigala said this was false news and the Association is not involved in any manner.
He added that the Uva Province Cricket Association will take legal action with regard to the incident in the future.
All cricket tournaments were suspended world over due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, it’s been suspected that the fake Uva Premier League T20 is being conducted by bookies from India and other countries.
Farveez Maharoof, who is portrayed as the captain of one of the playing teams, said it is regrettable that his name along with three other former cricketers was included in this fake tournament.
“No one contacted me in this regard. I do not have any reason to take part in such a tournament. I have filed a complaint with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in this regard” he said.
Meanwhile, Sachithra Serasinghe, whose name was included in the live scorecard of a match reported to have taken place yesterday (30), said he is unaware of such a tournament.
“No Sri Lankan Cricketer will get involved in such a tournament. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been informed of this incident. The Anti- Corruption Unit and the International Cricket Council (ICC) have also been notified of this matter” he said.
Commenting on the fake tournament, Sri Lanka Cricket that neither SLC nor its affiliates have any knowledge or any involvement with the fantasy Tournament.
CEO of SLC, Ashley De Silva said that he had directed the Anti-corruption officer of SLC to look into the matter and it was reported by the said Officer that no such tournament is being played in Sri Lanka.
The SLC said that as such, it wishes to clarify that the said Tournament is neither sanctioned by SLC nor organized by any of its affiliates and therefore, SLC assumes no responsibility with regard to the said Tournament.
The SLC further said it is constantly on the lookout for intellectual property infringements by unauthorized parties and has resorted to taking appropriate legal actions to prevent such incidents. (Newswire)
