Sri Lanka water polo was thrown into fresh controversy when national coach Thanura Abeywardena resigned from his post, alleging political interference, unfair selection practices and a lack of respect for coaches who work tirelessly without any financial reward. His departure has exposed what he describes as a broken system that threatens the future of the [...]
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In a strongly worded statement, Abeywardena said his resignation was not driven by personal reasons but by what he called blatant disrespect towards the national coaching staff, interference in a properly approved selection process and the complete absence of institutional support for water polo development.
Water polo remains one of the least-funded sports in Sri Lanka. According to Abeywardena, coaches receive no salary, no allowances and often spend their own money and personal time to keep the sport alive. Beyond coaching, they are forced to search for pool time, organise training schedules and handle administrative work.
“We do it out of passion and loyalty to our athletes. But passion has a breaking point,” he said.
The controversy centres on the selection of the Sri Lanka teams for the 2026 Asian Aquatic Championship. Abeywardena revealed that on April 21, the Technical Committee, in the presence of a senior official of the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU), agreed on a clear selection process. The coaching staff, SLASU officials and selectors would work together to identify the country’s best players.
Official trials were conducted from May 15 to 17, after which an 18-member squad was announced on May 20. According to the former coach, no objections were raised by any SLASU official during or after the trials.
The final phase of selections took place on May 23 to determine the final 15-player squad. Everything appeared to be progressing smoothly until May 25, when the coaching staff was informed that the process had suddenly been questioned following complaints received by the National Sports Selection Committee (NSSC).
Abeywardena claimed the NSSC ordered a complete re-trial with a notice of only 48 hours. Athletes were informed on May 29 that they would have to attend fresh trials on May 31. The move created major difficulties for players. Some were reportedly ill, while others were sitting important examinations. Several key athletes were unable to attend because of the short notice.
Adding to the controversy, three new selectors were brought into the process. According to Abeywardena, these individuals had not been actively involved in local water polo for several years and were expected to assess the country’s best players during a single-day trial. The situation became even more contentious on the day of the re-trial.
Abeywardena alleged that both the national coaching staff and the officially appointed selection committee were instructed to leave the venue. Parents were also reportedly prevented from recording the trials, despite athletes in other aquatic sports being allowed to do so.
The selections were then conducted behind closed doors under the supervision of NSSC officials, newly appointed selectors and ministry representatives. For Abeywardena, the process raised serious concerns about transparency.
Water polo, he argued, is a highly tactical team sport where players cannot be fairly assessed through a single-day evaluation. Team chemistry, endurance, decision-making and tactical awareness require long-term observation. However, what followed created an irony that further strengthened his concerns.
When the final teams were announced, the girls’ squad remained exactly the same as the one originally selected by the coaching staff. The boys’ squad also remained virtually unchanged, apart from the exclusion of an athlete who was reportedly hospitalised and the demotion of the country’s top goalkeeper to reserve status. Abeywardena argued that these outcomes effectively validated the original selections made by the coaching staff.
“The final rosters proved our selections were correct,” he stated.
The former coach said he resigned before the final re-trial because he could not support a process he believed was unfair to athletes and damaging to the integrity of the sport. He also criticised what he described as the failure of key officials to defend the original selection process after witnessing it firsthand.
His resignation has once again highlighted long-standing concerns about sports administration in Sri Lanka, where coaches and athletes often struggle against bureaucratic challenges, political influence and limited resources. The controversy now places the spotlight on both SLASU and the Ministry of Sports. With Sri Lanka preparing for major international competitions, many within the sporting community believe the issues raised by Abeywardena deserve careful investigation.
For now, one of Sri Lanka’s most passionate water polo coaches has walked away from the pool deck with a clear message – unless administrators value and protect the people who dedicate their lives to the sport enduring through thankless efforts, the future of water polo in the country could remain under serious threat.
Print Edition – The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka
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