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by Bernard Perera

Discipline has to be maintained by all sportsmen, women and officials involved in sports. Specially when they are on tour abroad, said Minister Johnston Fernando addressing the 37 athletes who are to leave the Island tonight for the 15th Asian Athletic Championships in Manila, Philippines.

He said this sighting the incident that was reported in the media during the IAAF Meet in Paris involving chief of AA and an athlete. This he said was a bad sign specially for senior sportsmen and officials. Thus proving that there is no discipline maintained by both parties.

This sort of incidents should come to a halt immediately. These problems can be solved through discussion provided it is brought to the notice of the officials concerned or the Ministry.

The incident which took place in Paris is to be considered as a serious matter if there was a problem that could have been sorted out in Sri Lanka but not outside the shores. He strongly requested all athletes to be more disciplined specially when they are out of the country. This applies not only to Athletes but also to every sportsman, woman and official.

If this is not adhered to by anyone I will not hesitate to punish them in the proper way. We have the power to dissolve any governing body if they are not keeping to the Code of Ethics. We dissolved many Governing Bodies and appointed Interim Bodies. If the AA fails to abide by the sports law and other governing rules, I will not think of personalities but will do the right thing at the right moment", he said.

Speaking further he noted that whenever the athletic body needs funds for various tours the Ministry never let them down. I know all can't win medals but participation is more important for our athletes to achieve their best at international level. This was the main cause my Ministry was thinking of our young athletes.

He also added that Athletics could not attract sponsors in the past, but with the successful holding of last year's 14th Asian Athletic Championship sponsors are keen to come forward to sponsor these events. So it has become very important to maintain discipline if we are to continue with them". This year alone the Ministry of Sports has spent nearly Rs. 200 million. This has given us results, which we can be happy about, but it is not sufficient, we have to go further than this and win more medals for our country".

In the early part of the year I suggested to bring in foreign coaches. This was turned down by our local coaches, saying that they can do the job, now I feet that it is very important to have foreign coaches from which we can gain a lot.

He also made it a point to request all athletes and officials to come out with their problems openly so that we could solve them peacefully and without any inconvenience to both parties. The Sports Ministry is there to solve problems and to help all governing bodies in this regard, he concluded.

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