Jaffna cricket stadium, sportive nationalism and democratisation of sports

The launch of a cricket stadium in Jaffna, in early September, according to the government is a significant moment for cricket in Sri Lanka, regional development in Jaffna, as well as ethnic reconciliation.

- BY JANAKA BIYANWILA (1996 Atlanta Olympics Springboard diver; Author of Sports in the Global South, Work, Play and Resistance, (2010) Springer, UK)

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who was at the ceremony, pointed out that it was a major investment, not only in cricket, but for regional development through tourism, positioning Jaffna as a tourist destination.

The SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) treasurer shared how the Jaffna Sports City project had been considered a much-needed investment to generate revenues, as the SLC faced declining revenues from media rights and ICC (International Cricket Council) and ACC (Asian Cricket Council) membership disbursements. So, this is mainly about profits rather than the development of sports in local communities.

Sports stadiums as regional development

The argument for stadiums is that it can generate jobs and increase tourism. It is also considered community asset (a public good) that can be used for various events beyond sports, such as musical concerts, religious gatherings, or political events.

While construction phase can sometimes result in a temporary boost to the local economy, underutilised sports stadiums are a common feature in most countries in the Global South. The international standard Sugathadasa swimming complex is an example of this underutilisation. Most cricket stadiums in Sri Lanka are underutilised, because the local communities cannot afford the costs.

Moreover, cricket stadiums are specific playing fields, which are difficult to convert to multi-sport venues due to their large, non-rectangular field dimensions.

Nevertheless, the Jaffna cricket stadium project in Mandaitivu Island also includes plans for a multi sports complex, with other sports facilities as well as a sports academy, apartments, hotels, hostels and other facilities. Since this will be administered by SLC, it will seek profits from the use of facilities.