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| Monday, 26 April 2004 |
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'Sports Law of '73 to be amended' by Dinesh Weerawansa National Sports Law of 1973 is set to be amended to meet the present developments in sports, Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Jeewan Kumaratunga said. Attending the felicitation ceremony to Sri Lanka's medal winning athletes at the recent 9th South Asian Games, Minister Kumaratunga also said the new sports development programme of the new Freedom Alliance Government would be ready by April 30. "We are in the process of drafting our new sports development programme and it would be ready by the end of this month. Then we would obtain views from all experts and national sports associations. Within two months, we should be able to put that into action," he said. Asked whether the 31-year-old National Sports Law of 1973 would be changed, Minister Kumaratunga said that they would do so if it is necessary to meet the present challenges. "This law had been introduced in 1973 but since then a lot of things have changed in local sports. We have to meet the modern challenges in our sports. With professionalism and modern developments invading Sri Lanka sports, we may have to change the Sports Law," he added. Minister Kumaratunga said the recent unpleasant incidents in the sports scene could be avoided in future if both officials and athletes act within their limits. "If we all understand what our limits and areas are, these problems would not arise. All these problems come when we try to work for personal agendas. If the officials work for a common goal with a wider national interest, then they would earn respect. Athletes too should be disciplined," he added. Commenting on the termination of services of the three Ukrainian coaches hired by Sri Lanka, Minister Kumaratunga said the whole process between the Ministry and the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka has been done on personal understanding without an official agreement. The Sports Ministry has rejected to pay Rs. six million needed annually to continue the services of the three foreign coaches who have been working with the national athletic poolists. The AASL has said they do not have finances to meet the demands and that they have no other option but to send the three coaches home if the Ministry is not funding. Asked for his views on obtaining services of foreign coaches, the Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports said there would be mixed views on the subject. "But I personally prefer to make use of our own coaches. What we must try to do is to provide overseas training to our coaches so that they would enhance their knowledge and come to know the latest training methods in the world. In return, they could come back and use that knowledge here," he explained. He asked everybody to forget petty differences and join hands for the betterment of Sri Lanka sports. President of the AASL, Sunil Jayaweera thanked the Minister for coming to the athletic headquarters to which was his first public function with a national sports association, since assuming office early this month. The AASL presented cash incentives to medallists and their coaches. |
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