Sports and business has a lot in common says LPL Tournament Director

Samantha Dodanwela

Lanka Premier League (LPL) Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela said that sports and business had a lot in common in terms of motivation, values and vision.

“Vision is something that we all have as entrepreneurs, business leaders or corporate leaders or sportsmen. We always want to do well,” said Dodanwela.

“The most important thing is in sports and in business is the fact that there are a lot of values. As a sportsman there are rules and regulations which you have to abide by put forward by the ICC or national boards like Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). At the same time as a businessman there are values and ethics you have to follow in the industry you are in. As a cricketer when you are young you want to play for your school thereafter, when you leave school you want to join a good club and pursue your cricketing career. And afterwards represent the country.”

“It is also a common knowledge that the world has transformed into a performance oriented culture. It has been revealed that most cricketers draw larger salaries than some of the managing directors or CEOs of top multinational companies. In the corporate world the CEOs are compelled to perform under stiff competition with a lot of challenges and obstacles and under extremely difficult circumstances. Always on a bad wicket you are answerable to your stakeholders and shareholders. Likewise, the cricketers cannot give excuses, they  have to perform and their remuneration depends on their  performance,” Dodanwela said on the occasion of the Galle franchise under the name of Galle Marvels being acquired by the Thakkar Group of Companies for the upcoming fifth edition of the LPL.

Speaking further Dodanwela said, “Cricket is no more a game which is played for prestige or for the love of it, it has become a profession. It’s a full time job now. Therefore an entrepreneur of your calibre coming forward will support SLC and no doubt help the younger cricketers to perform to the best of their ability. With financial assistance they will be able to build their cricketing careers.”

Dodanwela said the LPL since its birth amidst COVID-19 pandemic has gone through four consecutive editions and laid a strong foundation to move forward. He thanked Anil Mohan and his team at IPG group who deserve the credit for bringing the IPL this far. “The LPL is Sri Lanka’s foremost T20 league with an international flavour and is on its journey to becoming the most loved and sought after league in the world.” he said. – (ST)