British Tamils Cricket League calls for review of safety of cricketers after Bavalan’s death

British Tamils Cricket League (BTCL) has called for cricket bodies and experts to review the current safety protocols and protection for cricket players after the death of British Tamil batsman Bavalan Pathmanathan.

“We sincerely believe recent freak incidents in cricket which took away the lives of Phillip Hughes of Australia, and our own Bavalan should bring serious conversations about the safety measures in the world of cricket. We are looking forward to be part of necessary conversations in cricket community in this regard. We welcome the input from leading cricket bodies and experts in this regard “ BTCL said in a statement released today.

Bavalan died after being struck on the chest by a ball whilst playing in a Cricket Tournament organised by BTCL in London over the weekend.

BTCL  added: It is very unfortunate this young man who survived the brutal civil war in Sri Lanka, had to face the ultimate tragedy of his life in the face of the sport he loved the most”.

Full text of the press release is as follows:

British Tamils Cricket League (BTCL) is shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Bavalan Pathmanathan who was fatally injured while batting for Manipay Parish Sports Club at Long Ditton Recreation grounds in Surbiton, Surrey on Sunday, 5th July 2015. He is originally from the humble suburbs of Jaffna, Northern part of Sri Lanka. Nearly five years ago Bavalan moved to the United Kingdom and grew as a valuable member of the Tamil community here in the United Kingdom. It is very unfortunate this young man who survived the brutal civil war in Sri Lanka, had to face the ultimate tragedy of his life in the face of the sport he loved the most. Bavalan will be profoundly missed, and always remembered.

On behalf of the British Tamil Cricket Community, BTCL extends its deepest condolences to his beloved family including his mother Pathmanathan Parameswary, sister Barathy, brother Banugopan and to all his friends. It’s a huge loss to BTCL, which was founded over ten years ago with the ideals of keeping our young people emotionally and physically healthy, helping them ease the traumatic experiences gathered back in Sri Lanka and to help them to integrate with British society.

We sincerely believe recent freak incidents in cricket which took away the lives of Phillip Hughes of Australia, and our own Bavalan should bring serious conversations about the safety measures in the world of cricket. We are looking forward to be part of necessary conversations in cricket community in this regard. We welcome the input from leading cricket bodies and experts in this regard. Also we have appointed a special BTCL panel to look into this accident and recommend future safe guards.

We would like to thank London Metropolitan Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service and medical staff at the Kingston hospital and local authorities for their timely help and unparalleled support.

BTCL will continue to strive to be an avenue to play cricket with passion and integrity just as Bavalan did and to be a vibrant community which he was part of.