Five player managers have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) under a newly introduced policy aimed at regulating player management and preventing outside interference in cricket affairs, according to information received by Newswire.
However, despite the introduction of the new accreditation system, only existing player managers have qualified so far, according to SLC Cricket Transformation Committee member Roshan Mahanama.
Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, Mahanama expressed disappointment that the accreditation process had so far attracted only those already involved in player management.
“Unfortunately, only those who were already there have qualified so far,” Mahanama said, encouraging other eligible individuals to register as player managers under the new policy.
According to SLC, nearly 30 individuals had applied for accreditation as player managers, but only five qualified under the criteria, all of whom were already involved in player management.
The agreements formally recognise the individuals as SLC-accredited player managers, allowing them to represent cricketers in specified matters while imposing restrictions on their involvement in cricket administration and team selection.
According to the MOU, accredited managers will be permitted to coordinate with SLC on player registrations, travel arrangements, accommodation, welfare, contractual compliance, media appearances and commercial commitments.
However, the agreement prohibits player managers and players from organising or participating in collective actions intended to improperly influence SLC officials, selectors or other cricket authorities.
The MOU also allows SLC to suspend or revoke accreditation for violations of its regulations, misconduct or breaches of the agreement.
Under the new framework, player managers must submit written confirmation from each cricketer they represent, while SLC will recognise only one accredited manager per player at a time.
Mahanama said the policy was developed after studying similar regulations implemented by Cricket Australia and the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“We obtained the policies of Cricket Australia and the Pakistan Cricket Board. After studying both, we developed a policy suitable for Sri Lanka,” Mahanama said.
He explained that members of the committee, including its legal representatives, had worked with SLC’s legal and international departments to finalise the agreement.
Mahanama said the agreements had been signed approximately two weeks earlier.
Meanwhile, committee member and former Sri Lanka cricketer Sidath Wettimuny warned that player managers must not interfere in cricket-related matters, particularly team selection.
“We have told the players not to bring their managers to the cricket board. Keep them away from us,” Wettimuny said.
He clarified that SLC had no objection to cricketers appointing personal managers but stressed that their involvement must remain within permitted limits.
“There is no problem with having a player manager, but do not get involved in cricket affairs, selection affairs or anything like that,” he said.
Wettimuny further warned that players themselves could face scrutiny if their managers became involved in such matters.
“If that happens, we will be looking at the players’ conduct,” he said.
However, Wettimuny said the committee had not encountered such problems so far. (Newswire)