NOCSL calls for IOC Women and Sports Awards
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From left: NOC officials Anoma Rathnayake, Niloo Jayatilake (Chairperson – Women’s Committee) and Chanaka Hashantha at the press briefing
The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Women’s Committee has called for nominations from Sri Lankans for the IOC Women and Sports Awards 2019 which is awarded to promote the advancement of gender equality in sport. The world has recognised the importance of bridging the gender gap by encouraging and strengthening the participation of women at all levels in sports. In keeping with this encouraging trend Sri Lanka too has chosen for the very first time to nominate a candidate at the Asian regional level in accordance with the criteria set out by the International Olympic. It is hoped that this initiative would promote the advancement of gender equality in sport with the national as well as international recognition being given to the programme. The sporting world has thus far sadly been silent on this issue of gender equality. It is hoped that this initiative will finally recognize the women bringing in change in Sri Lanka and the world over.
The nomination process will follow set out international guidelines, whereby any individual (man or woman) and/or institution who has made an outstanding contribution to promote the advancement of gender equality in sport will be eligible. This includes in addition to the actual women in sport and physical activities, those educating or raising awareness on gender issues or helping creating an inclusive culture by challenging gender inequality in their organisation, those involved in coaching of women and girls in sport and physical activity, those supporting and coaching of women in administrative and leadership sports structures or fostering the inclusion of women in sport in the media as well as persons acting as a role model and championing gender equality.
The IOC Women and Sport Award will be awarded to an individual (man or woman), who should be a retired athlete (a “retired athlete” is an athlete no longer involved in elite competitive sport), an administrator, coach, journalist, writer, sponsor or a body such as a National Olympic Committee, an International Federation, a National Federation, a Continental Association, a sports club in recognition of outstanding contribution to promote the advancement of gender equality. Based on the international criteria an active athlete, a team, an IOC Member and IOC Women in Sport Commission Members will NOT be considered.
Those who wish to apply for this prestigious award may do so by downloading the specific application form from the IOC website (www.olympic.org). The applications will be short listed by the NOCSL – Women’s Committee whilst the final selection will be made by National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka. The deadline for submitting candidature forms will be 31st December 2018 to meet the international deadline of 18th January 2019. The applications to be emailedtonatolcom@slt.lk.