Sports

Sports

Amend the sports Law, to overcome the present problems – Shelley
The Sports Law was framed in 1975, by the then Minister of Sports K.B. Ratnayake, in good faith for the controlling bodies.

He appointed Chairman of the then Sports Council, Shelley Wickremasinghe, to chair a high profile committee, who had indulged in sports and with a professional background. Since then vast changes have taken place among the sports bodies. In its wake apparently led to controversies as most candidates try to hold office at any cost.Now some times even the Minister of Sports seems to be helpless at times, as some of them end in the Portals of Hulftsdorp.

Former Sri Lanka and Leicestershire cricketer Wickremasinghe said, “Politicians pollute sports. At present the game is in chaos”. The Minister of Sports dissolved some of these sports bodies and appoints Interim Committees to overcome the maladies. It makes matters worse. At present times sports in general, has hit a new low in the international scene.

Since 1975 (the Sports Law), no Minister has thought fit, to take action to amend and enact new laws. Mr. Shelley Wickremasinghe one of the pioneer of the 1975 Act. said, “new Laws should be enacted to meet the present –day problems. With the assistance of the Attorney General’s department he must prepare a paper and present it to Parliament for its approval with the present voting system at general meetings no competent person who has played the game (at highest level) have a chance of coming into the mainstream to contribute for its further development”.

Wickremasinghe continued “some of these clubs are only active (at a year –end AGM) to cast vote to the interested parties. These clubs are not active on the field. Nor do they participate in SLC organized tournaments. They do not possess the basic facilities – even a clubhouse to function, but enjoy equal right with clubs like SSC, CCC, NCC, Moors SC, Bloomfield Colts CC, BRC etc.The Minister must amend the 1975 Sports Act which will give him more muscle to act without fear or favour. He said the present voting system must change in the interest and betterment of Sri Lanka sport. Even the late legendry Duncan White in a interview said, no official should be allowed to hang on far, too long. Apparently it leads to problems, corruption and nepotism”.

He said the past officials like late P. Sarawanamuttu, Robert Senanayake (cricket) Julian Grero etc. were totally committed. They served with their own resources.

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