BIPIN DANI
Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the medical panel of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board will personally supervise, guide and monitor the fitness and skin fold level of Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
The 30-year-old top order batter has missed the selection of the India tour after being found to have an excessive skin fold on his body.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, Prof. Arjuna said, "I am a big fan of Bhanuka and will take all possible measures to ensure that he retains his fitness as per normal standard any international athlete should have".
Last week, the fans protested at the SLC headquarter to include him in the side.
"There is no time (to make him fit) to join the squad in India but he (Bhanuka) is a player, whom we can rely on for the World Cup and will surely work with his fitness from now onwards".
Even the sports minister Naman Rajapaksha has also hinted at these lines.
"The excessive skin fold can be hereditary but we cannot have an exception for one player. It is also unfair".
Bhanuka's fitness test was recently done and skinfold calipers were used just like everyone else. Unfortunately, he did not meet the minimum standard required.
"Fitness does not guarantee success but it does help with intensity at which one can play and perform continuously. Less fat amounts to less injuries".
"Excessive fat is only useful in Sumo Wrestling, where an athlete can't be pushed out of the ring easily", Prof. de Silva concluded.
