Carrom Federation unable to pot its AGM
All is stalled at SLCF with no one to lead the show - File pic
Like the Dengue epidemic spreading across the country, the Annual General Meetings (AGM) of Sports controlling bodies are postponed for one reason or another.
The latest victim is the Sri Lanka Carrom Federation (SLCF). It was scheduled to be held its AGM in March 2017, but due to protests by various sections from within the SLCF, to the Sports Ministry, a fresh date for the AGM was not fixed, as the SLCF is awaiting the report of the committee appointed by the Ministry, to investigate the allegations.
Sri Lanka is a proud nation that has won the World Carrom Championship and produced the World Singles Carrom champion in Nishantha Fernando. It is pity that players had not taken part in national championship events for the last five months.
The World Cup winning team members had submitted a letter to the Minister of Sports regarding this stagnation of the SLCF’s activities. The Nationals and the Ranking tournaments were the only events conducted to date this year.
Prior to this, two Presidents had resigned due to unhealthy working environment within the SLCF. It is understood that this grave situation had arisen due to two officials taking decisions on their own. Committee members blame the Secretary and the Treasurer for taking decisions without the approval of the Executive Committee, which was not called for a long time this year.
The General Committee of the SLCF had notified the Ministry of Sports of both personnel in writing, regarding the sorry situation that prevails within the SLCF. The players are also complaining about their frustration in not being involved in the game, as no tournament was held so far. They say that four National tournaments were not held, and the awards ceremony of the tournament held in July 2016 too, has not been held.
According to reliable sources, an amount close to Rs. 1.8 million had been withdrawn from the SLCF Account without the knowledge and approval of the Committee.
It is understood that the Secretary had called for an AGM, informing only his favourite clubs, (out of the 81 member clubs), and submitted the Annual Financial Report to the Auditor General without the approval of the General Committee.
When the Sunday Times contacted SLCF Secretary Thumula Naottunna, he said he had called for the AGM in June, informing the 81-strong membership and, as there are 4 factions within the SLCF, they make various complaints to the Sports Ministry. The Ministry had then directed not to hold the AGM till the report of the Ministry-appointed committee is released.
Sources also said that the organising of tournaments is the duty of the Tournament Secretary.
“The money he received from the Ministry for the awards ceremony was used to pay to their building’s rent arrears.”
He also said that he is not in a position to go ahead with the SLCF’s activities without the green light from the Ministry.
SLCF Treasurer Primal Fernando, told the Sunday Times that, after they assumed office, the SLCF moved its headquarters to a new location and refurbished it to international standards, where the World Carrom Championship was held with great success. Sri Lanka emerged champions and from that point onwards, two or more factions, without any vision for the future of the game, wanted to grab power and started to create various problems, thus preventing an AGM. On the complaint of spending SLCF funds, the Minister had ordered to provide evidence of the complaints, which they have not done so far. He concluded saying the best way to grab power is only through an AGM.
It is high time the Sports Ministry takes a decision on the AGM for the good of Carrom, in which Sri Lanka are World Champs.