Netball federation estimates Rs 10 million needed to participate in Asian championships

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By Susil Premalal

The Sri Lanka Netball Federation (SLNF) has estimated they would need a sum of Rs 10 million to participate in the 12th Asian Netball Senior Championship 2022.

Sri Lanka has emerged Asian netball champions the most number of times (five), while the winners and runners-up will be among the top 16 teams qualifying for the 2023 World Netball Championship to be held in South Africa.
The 2020 event to be held in Singapore from September 3 to 11 was cancelled by Netball Asia because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The SLNF had earlier submitted an estimate of Rs 5 million to the Sports Ministry but it has doubled because of the adverse economic situation in the country.

This is because costs such as return air ticket, hotel and accommodation, Covid testing charges and umpiring panel charges have increased.

Expenses to provide food and accommodation to a 15-member national pool have also increased, according to SLNF officials.

Meanwhile, discussions with local organisations to get sponsorship for the Asian tournament have also not been successful.