Thilanga wants rich sports bodies to support poor associations
View(s):Former President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Thilanga Sumathipala has proposed to the Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando to request all rich sports bodies to make a monetary contribution to the Sports Development Fund to help those less affluent sports bodies. Sumathipala has suggested that such well-to-do associations with handsome annual grants from their respective global bodies, could contribute a percentage from their earnings to the Sports Development Fund.
“There are number of sports governing bodies that face hardships and difficulties when it comes to administrating local competitions, foreign tours, as well as nurturing their athletes in training, providing sports gears and other necessary facilities. This could be balanced off by allocating a certain portion of finance from the rich sports bodies to the Sports Development Fund,” Sumathipala explained.
The Ministry of Sports annually presents a considerably generous monetary assistance to most from the 66 of its affiliations, yet many sports associations face setbacks in many ways when it comes to operations and logistics. Yet again, most of these sports bodies face a hard time when they are bound to field a contingent for international competitions. According to Sumathipala’s proposal, it may not be able to provide a complete remedy, but to an extent most sports associations could find sitting in the comfort zone, if they are able to overcome basic obstacles.
“It’s not a proposal to support all of them, but there are associations that has an annual expenditure of Rs. 50 Million and if they could contribute at least one percent from it to the Sports Development Fund, the Ministry of Sports could make use of the finances to help sports bodies that are in dire situations,” Sumathipala added.
“Through this track and field athletes, hockey players or even any potential athlete could gain through this proposal. Most athletes, who represent the country, are from middle class families and most of them do not have the basic needs, such as equipment and nutrition. Athletes who come from outstations find it hard to reach Colombo and stay back if they have to or return home after training. If associations are eager to open their arms to those from less the privileged sports bodies, I’m sure we could reach higher goals. This is my proposal to the Minister of Sports,” elaborated Sumathipala.