Among those seeking to be elected President of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation is Gampaha district MP of the ruling party, Kokila Gunawardana. The Annual General Meeting of the Federation is due to be held soon and she seems to be the leading candidate to win the election.
The Youth Observer met MP Kokila to discuss her future plans to build the country’s netball standard.
Q: Are you trying to become the president of the Netball Federation?
A: That is a dumb question to ask. I am not trying. I will definitely become the next president.
Q: There are several candidates contesting for this post. So how can you say that you will be the next president?
A: You are right. But I am the strongest candidate at this election. Several clubs have promised to vote for me at the AGM. So, I can say without doubt that I will be the future governor of the Netball Federation.
Q: Are you sure? Are you sure the clubs will not let you down at the AGM?
A: Yes, I am sure of winning. Most of the districts, clubs and other associations eligible to vote at the AGM have promised to vote in my favour. I have plenty of experience in contesting elections and am sure of my victory.
Q: How did you become a candidate at the Netball Federation AGM?
A: There is nothing sudden about it. Several people asked me to contest for the post of president of the Federation. That is how I came to be in this competition.
Q: Ha.. Ha…It looks like a parachute jump?
A: It is totally wrong to say that I am a parachutist.
Q: I think hardly anyone knows that you played netball in your youth?
A: Maybe. But I played netball in my younger days. In school time I was a dynamic netball player and represented the school in all age groups. After leaving school I represented the youth team. However, due to my profession I could get involved in the game at national level. That may be why you do not know me as a netball player.
Q: But suddenly you are going to contest for the post of president of the Netball Federation. Why did you choose that post?
A: As a sportsman I know about sports. I am a former netball player. I believe this is the only sport for women in our country. We must empower netball players and place the Federation on a strong platform. As a parliamentarian and a former netball player I was inspired by the work of Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa and thought of taking up netball administration.
Q: Aren’t you praising the Sports Minister to get his support to win the election?
A: I do not need to praise him to get his support. He is a young and dynamic sports minister. That is why I mentioned his name. He is a very powerful minister.
He can judge a person and knows what that person is trying to do.He cannot be fooled easily. You have to work hard to build up a real friendship with the Sports Minister. Only then will he help you.
Q: As an MP of the governing party you must be having a lot of work. In that situation how would time to develop netball?
A: That is very simple. True, that I am a legislator. But I have enough time for other work as I am an efficient person. Before I entered politics I was an air hostess and I know how to manage time.
Q: You represent the Gampaha district in Parliament. But the standard of netball in the district is very low. Do you have a plan to improve it?
A: I am contesting for this post to develop the game in the whole country. I cannot limit it to the Gampaha district. I must work in every district, every zone and with every person involved in the game. That is what the President of the Netball Federation has to do. I do not take a narrow look at this responsibility. It is a very big responsibility.
Q: What do you have to say about the former presidents of the Netball Federation? Are you satisfied with their work?
A: I think they did their best. Every president comes in to do their best for the game. But finances would have been a problem for them. I admire them for their attempts.
Q: Money is the limitation in every sport. If you become president of the Netball Federation, how would you find money for it? Will you be satisfied with the Sports Ministry grant?
A: Yes, money is important for everything. Without money we cannot work properly. We hope for some grants from the Sports Ministry and the private sector. As a legislator I know the government cannot bear all the expenses involved in sports. We must find money by sponsorship in the private sector. As a parliamentarian I have strong relationships with the banking sector and other big companies. They will help to develop netball.
Q: Do you plan to develop this game more than it was done in the past decade?
A: Yes. I have good vision. I know what this game is and where we are now. I want to put it on the world stand. In Asia we can dominate as queens of netball. But we must go on netball tours beyond Asia. We must compete against teams in Europe, Africa or Australia. Then we grow in world rankings. This cannot be done without a plan. But I am determined to achieve it. I have qualified people to help me in that attempt.
Q: Without enough infrastructure you cannot achieve that goal. How do you hope to overcome that challenge?
A: I hope to promote this game in more schools and districts. The Sports Minister too is trying to get netballers who have left school leavers to help. During my stewardship I will organize more tournaments and build more facilities for players.
Q: Without a good environment players will not stay in sports. Do you have plans to develop a professional path for the players?
A: Of course I do. I will find more job opportunities for them. After they get a job the players will be more attracted to the game.