Official Radio Broadcaster for ICC Men’s T20 WC: FM Derana steps into the breach

• 15 yrs. since becoming first private broadcaster for an ICC event 

The Sri Lanka national team’s listless performances in white-ball cricket in the recent past had prompted a spate of the country’s radio stations to shun tying up with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as the Official Radio Broadcaster for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Most of the radio channels had resorted to such action due having to incur hefty losses as the nation’s cricket-loving public too had spurned following the team’s fortunes in the recent past.

However, FM Derana had stepped into the breach so as not to disappoint the mass followers of the game who still yearn to give ear to ball-by-call commentaries over the ghetto blaster, which has more or less been a tradition for decades among hardcore fans throughout the length and breadth of this country.

These details were revealed to the media at a press briefing on Wednesday (14), by veteran cricket commentator Bandula Saman Wathuregama, where FM Derana was announced as the Official Radio Broadcaster in Sri Lanka for the sport’s marquee event.

Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the global cricketing spectacle is slated to be staged from 7 February to 8 March bringing forth the world’s finest teams to a nation that lives and breathes the game, with the channel set to provide conclusive nationwide coverage through its 92.2 and 92.4 FM frequencies.

He identified FM Derana as a radio channel that had broken the long-standing State monopoly on live cricket radio broadcasting, in the process opening the door for a wider, competitive, and more fan-driven experience for listeners across the country.

“FM Derana through this generous gesture has decided to open their airwaves to a population of 22 million in this cricket-crazy land,” Wathuregama, who cut his teeth in the company of such distinguished broadcasters of the caliber of Palitha Perera and Premasara Epasinghe, pointed out.

“When they came forward as the Official Radio Broadcaster to relay commentaries in both Sinhala and Tamil languages, they put aside the financial rewards that could be accrued from it, to the backburner, but they foremost considered the fan engagement and at the same time to give a boost to the national team. For these reasons alone FM Derana needs to be commended for once more coming forward to do their duty by the public and the country.”

FM Derana was also the first local private radio broadcaster to become an official radio broadcaster for an ICC World Cup, when it secured the rights for the 2011 ICC Men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup in the Indian Sub-Continent.

FM Derana Executive Director/Chief Operations Officer Madhawa Madawala said that it comes as second nature to them to be involved in live cricket broadcasting, having already performed a similar task successfully 15 years ago.

“As you all remember we became the Official Radio Broadcaster for the 2011 ICC Men’s 50-over World Cup,” he told the media conference.

“On that occasion Sri Lanka reached the final and the people followed our team’s performances by being glued to FM Derana. This time too we intend to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to provide another unforgettable experience to our listeners, by roping in an experienced and versatile set of commentators and we hope Sri Lanka will go far in this forthcoming competition.”

Madhawala added that if Sri Lanka were to play any fixtures in India during the World Cup, those too will also be relayed live over their airwaves to the discerning listeners here.

SLC Secretary Bandula Dissanayake congratulated the radio network for not leaving the local cricket followers in the lurch by linking as the Official Radio Broadcaster for the tournament fast looming on the horizon.

He stated that the Derana Media Network had always called a spade a spade and noted that as the game’s local controlling body they would like to acknowledge it publicly.

He also hoped that the live commentaries to be aired soon by the mass popular station, will give a fillip to the team as well in their bid to bring home the coveted silverware.

The commentators line up will also feature the voices of Kelum Srimal, Roshan Abeysinghe, Jaliya Jayantha and Kamal Deshapriya, while featuring insights from veteran cricketers and expert coaches, to keep fans connected before, during, and after every game.

   PHOTO VENURA CHANDRAMALITHA

Source - The Morning