The Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers\u2019 Association was officially launched on Saturday, Sri Lanka's white-ball captain Kusal Mendis being named its first president. The organisation has been set up at a time when Sri Lanka Cricket is going through a reform process which is being led by a government-appointed committee.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tom Moffat, who is the chief executive of the WCA, congratulated the Sri Lankan players on the establishment of the association and emphasized the need for cricketers to have a unified voice when it comes to decisions concerning the game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cA strong game and strong player representation go hand in hand. Cricket thrives when players have a genuine voice in its future, and by coming together with a unified voice, the Sri Lankan players have demonstrated a deep commitment to the long-term health, integrity and professional progression of the game,\u201d Moffat said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSri Lanka has always been one of cricket\u2019s great nations. The formation of the Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers\u2019 Association is another positive step in the continued evolution of the game there, and one that reflects the direction modern professional sport has taken around the world.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The WCA stated that the establishment of the association comes as a result of the increasing positive momentum in Sri Lankan cricket, particularly due to the efforts of Sri Lanka Cricket\u2019s Transformation Committee to modernise and strengthen the domestic game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe World Cricketers\u2019 Association welcomes the formation of the Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers\u2019 Association, describing it as a landmark development that will strengthen player representation and support the continued professionalisation and growth of cricket in Sri Lanka,\u201d the WCA said in a statement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The global players\u2019 body said domestic players\u2019 associations play an important role in ensuring cricketers are consulted, supported and represented as the sport continues to evolve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cDomestic players\u2019 associations play a critical role in ensuring players are consulted, supported and represented as the game continues to evolve globally. They provide a collective voice for players and contribute to stronger leadership, better decision-making and a more sustainable game,\u201d the WCA said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It added that the formation of the Sri Lankan association aligns with global best practice already established across most leading cricket nations and other sports.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe formation of the Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers\u2019 Association aligns with global best practice already established across most of the game\u2019s leading nations in cricket and in other sports,\u201d the WCA said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chamari Athapaththu, captain of the Sri Lankan women's team, has also supported the association, the aim of which is to give players a stronger voice, especially when negotiating with the cricket board about permission to take part in franchise cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe formation of the Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers\u2019 Association aligns with global best practice already established across most of the game\u2019s leading nations in cricket and in other sports,\u201d the WCA said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe establishment of the Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers\u2019 Association follows the recent establishment of the US Cricketers\u2019 Association, with the players from 17 of the top 19 cricket countries globally now affiliated to WCA,\u201d the governing body said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n