Empowering a ‘white elephant’
Transparency and integrity are two key words which are lacking in the lexicon of administrators running national sports associations in Sri Lanka. This may be a thing of the past if the National Sports Council (NSC) headed is given more teeth by Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa who is keen to overhaul the structure of sports in the country.
Whereas changing the archaic Sports Law of 1973 remains the top priority of the youthful minister, his selection of former Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene as chairman of the 14-member NSC is hailed by all and sundry as a perfect choice.
“Looking at the Act is one thing but while looking at it may take us some time to get all the information to formulate that and then get a proposal. Parallel to doing that, we wanted to identify what sports that can be given priority for Olympics, for Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, team sports, for World Championships, leagues and various other things. So we need to prioritise that. I think that is most important,” Council Chairman Mahela Jayawardene told the Sunday Times when asked what his priority would be.
“At the same time we need to bring transparency into all sports bodies. I think integrity is a key word. As well as bringing values to all sports bodies and trying to create that environment so that the athletes can actually concentrate on their sports. And create that national policy of structure from grassroot level to school level and development to national level and international level. To create that platform and that connectivity. How these children will one day win us a medal or win us a world championship. So we need to have a plan for that and bring in high performance facilities. But at the same time train our coaches as well. Maybe whether we need to take them overseas and train them or whether we need to bring those elements to Sri Lanka and set up structures. So we will look at each and everything,” pledged Jayawardene almost issuing a policy statement.
One of the finest players ever to grace the sport and even shrewder captain, Jayawardene seemed deeply committed and determined to transform the landscape of sports administration not just cricket in Sri Lanka with the participation of all stakeholders.
“I think we need to sit down with this team. Initially they are going to read on a lot of material. In the first two weeks we will have another meeting, may be in about ten days’ time after they go through the Sports Act and go through the current structure that is in place. Once we do all that, we will sit down and formulate a game plan of how are we going to execute this. Get more information from other people, from various associations and other individuals who have been involved in sport for a long time. Get all of them to contribute as well but formulate something which is going to help Sri Lankan sports overall,” said the cricket legend who has diverse mix of former national sports stars and leaders in the corporate world.
Despite all the good intentions of National Sports Councils in the past, it has merely remained a talking shop and their recommendations have not seen the light of day, probably gathering dust in the Sports Ministry cupboard or even trashed.
Three-time Olympian Julian Bolling said as much on his appointment to the NSC.
“I have been in so many Councils. Nothing has happened. I hope something happens this time,” he said.
In a Facebook post which went viral, the former Sri Lanka swimming great had this to say to his well wishers.
“Thank you every one for your gracious wishes. Funny thing is I have been in sooo (sic) many sports councils under sooo (sic) many ministers that I have lost count. Must admit I got a 100% track record where we achieved nothing in the end in all the councils I was a part off,” he wrote.
“But I sincerely feel something will happen this time around. I would like to put on paper and open it to all of you to see how I look at Olympic Sports and where we are now and how we can get out of this rut.”
It remains to be seen whether Minister Namal Rajapaksa, a former Sri Lanka rugby captain, would crack the whip to clean up sports administration as many envisage and set up the pathway to achieve glory at international level. However, observers note that there is no expert from the field of athletics in the NSC, though as Jayawardene explained the members are not there to promote the sport they excelled but all sports in general.
Further, two members of the NSC – Rohan Fernando and Rajitha Ampemohotti – are holding office in the rowing and paralympic bodies. The specific clause in the Sports Act which may become redundant in future states: “A member appointed to the Council shall cease to hold office in any National Association of Sports or other sports body or organisation in Sri Lanka during the continuance of his membership.”
Fernando said he would step down as President of the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka at their annual general meeting next week whereas Ampemohotti has no intention of doing so.
Therein arises a conflict of interest despite all the positivity emanating from the NSC which comprises eminent personalities such another cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara, double international Kasthuri Wilson and Army Commander Shavendra Silva.