NOC decides to do away with Managers for Rio Olympics
Maxwell de Silva (left) will be the man-in-charge of the Lankan camp at Rio
In an unusual move the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka has decided to do away with managers for the forthcoming Rio Olympics which will begin on August five.
The authorities have decided that there would be no managers for any of the relevant sports – Athletics, Swimming, Rifle Shooting, Judo and Badminton. In similar vein breaking traditional protocol the NOC also has decided to do away with an accompanying team doctor for the first time in its Olympic history.
Explaining situation NOC secretary and the Chef de Mission of the Rio Olympic contingent Maxwell de Silva said “In the past, the perennial complaint has been, the void of relevant coaches accompanying the team, but, this time we have included all relevant coaches for the events that the athletes are taking part – 1 for swimming, 1 for badminton, 1 for Judo, 1 for Rifle Shooting and 3 for Athletics.”
However according to experts there could be instances that the absence of managers could lead to unwanted hassles and delays over technical issues. Because at any disputes, only the team manager is permitted to attend the Managers meeting and not the relevant coach.
However de Silva explained “we were reluctantly compelled to do away with managers because we were in a bid to cut down expenses”
Meanwhile Elections to the National Olympic Committee (NOC) is getting postponed day after day since 2013. The National Sports bodies have complained this situation is similar to ‘ Balagiri Doshaya’ (The famous Sinhala phrase meaning, postponing for tomorrow). Due to this present situation at NOC, a limited number of officials presently benefit. The Election was previously scheduled for Dec 27th 2013. When the nominations were called for the Elections, it was postponed for six months as per the orders of International Olympic Committee (IOC). The main reason given was, the Sports Act of Sri Lanka, has not been amended as per the directions of Lausanne based Committee. The IOC put forward three key points to the NOC and Ministry of Sports to fall in line and adhere to it.
1) To amend the Sports Act of Sri Lanka as per the aspirations of IOC.
2) The national sports bodies should amend their own constitutions and get the relevant approval from their international bodies. They should hold their own Annual General Meetings (AGM) and Elect office bearers.
3) The constitution of NOC too should be amended and the approval to be taken from IOC.
But though the three key points have been laid down by IOC, yet they have not been followed up or still moving at snails pace. The argument put forward by national sport bodies is NOC, by taking their own time, postpone the elections to safeguard their portfolios. The other highlighting fact is, the officials (of the NOC) are no longer holding positions at national sport bodies, yet they cling to the posts at NOC. For example Susil Ranasinghe was the former Secretary Volleyball Federation of Sri Lanka, but he no longer holds that position yet he is the Assistant Secretary of NOC.
The sole responsibility of amending the Sports Act lies with the Ministry of Sports. When the inquired from the Ministry about the stalemate their reply was the amended Sports Act has been handed over to the Attorney Generals Department and they are awaiting a response immediately.
The Minister of Sports, Dayasiri Jayasekera stated.”Most of the amendments are done and very soon we can hold the Election at NOC”.
But the President of NOC, Hemasiri Fernando stated.”We have received IOC approval for some of the amendments. But at the rate proceedings are moving, we can only hold the Elections by March 31, 2017″.
The top officials of national sport bodies say, as per the present situation and the way things are moving, the Election will be never held on time and our chances to hold posts in the NOC looks very slim.