Dejected parent to seek legal assistance
No steps have been taken to upgrade the standard of the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool and the Diving Area even after a Sports Minister-appointed committee had given the recommendation a few months ago.
Following a complaint made by a father of a school swimmer, Sports Minister Harin Fernando had appointed Saman Amarasinghe, the Chairman of National Sports Museum to investigate and inquire about the ‘wrong timing’ recorded at the Novices Swimming and Diving Championship 2019 held early this year.
During the three-day Swimming and Diving Championship, which was held from March 15 to 17, Under-12 swimmer P.K. Dinura R.P. Gunatilake had finished the 50m Butterfly event in 46.28seconds according to the ‘OMEGA’ system time showed in the electric timer at the Pool. But within an hour, the official results sheet had recorded his time as 49.28seconds.
The one-man committee inquired around 10 officers of SLASU, who officiated on March 16 events at Sugathadasa Swimming Complex.
It was also revealed that the finishing touch pad is not sensitive sometimes. Usually, the swimming touch pad is used during the competitions to get the accurate time and to avoid human errors.
“When the athlete does not touch hard on his feet on the finishing pad, it displays a wrong timing,” Mrs S. Liyanarachchi, the Manageress of the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool told before the committee.
According to the Pool Manager Liyanarachchi, there are no permanent electronic technicians attached to Sugathadasa Swimming Complex, but they are hired from the State Engineering Corporation when the competitions are held.
“So, no one is reporting monthly about the situation of the electronic timer or requirements, but they complain only when there is an issue,” Liyanarachchi went onto say before the committee.
It was recommended to fix a modern state-of-the-art photo finish system replacing the ‘OMEGA’ system, which has not been repaired for the past 13-years since it was installed before the 2006 South Asian Games (SAG).
The parent of the young swimmer, Dr. P.K.I.N.P. Gunatilake elaborating on the debacle his son had to go through, stated that these kind of acts should be corrected immediately.
“They can give excuses, but the error has happened and it was a national event, though it was for the junior age categories. My son finished his event in 46.28seconds, and the timer was still running even after he finished. I have done my own timing and my clock stated 46.32seconds, but when I inquired and the official Printout came, the timing was 49.28seconds, which is ridiculous. I’m not talking only behalf of my son, but also for all others who have opted to stay low despite performing well. The Ministry of Sports officials were not really supportive in the whole process and I have not being given any feedback on the complain, inquiry and feedback,” a dejected Dr. Gunatilake stated.
Observers state that many misconducts occurred during the three-day event held in mid March, with coaches playing roles of event and technical officials, which gives them the freehand to favour athletes, if they wish. In addition the Competent Authority appointed by the Ministry of Sports in charge of aquatic sports and lately the Secretary for the Minister of Sports, knowingly or deliberately, have attempted to sweep the complain made by Dr. Gunatilake under the carpet.
“I’m really not happy how things took place from the beginning, and lately. The Minister of Sports was very cordial when I got the opportunity to meet him in person to relate the matter. But how the situation was handled by the officials is appalling. I intend to seek justice by reaching the Appeal Court, if nothing looks to be working out,” he went on to say.
The SLASU was administered under the observation of the Ministry of Sports during the debated event occurred.