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| Monday, 15 November 2004 |
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Right of reply We refer to the article published in the issue of Tuesday 9th November, 2004 on page 38 headlined 'Rohan will not take part in SLARDAR races" by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen your Kandy sports correspondent. We deny all and singular and several allegations made therin against this association and have responded to this article lest a non-denial be construed as a tacit admission though this association would rather maintain the dignified silence it has maintained in the past and wish to maintain, if any, in future instances. Having miserably failed in his vindictive attempts to trump-up baseless protests and allegations against competitors who have outwitted him and members of his "Mobil" and "McFoil" teams as motor sports events. Rohan de Silva has now decided to strike at SLARDAR with the intention of getting the foremost motor sports club in Sri Lanka to tow his line and the "maestro of protests" has had another go! SLARDAR is much stronger than what Silva can ever imagine and is a club that cannot be bought over. Neither can it be intimidated Silva might entice and buy over some - but not all. His allegation of 18 protests during the last two years is a blatant lie and a figment of his imagination, meant to mislead the reading public and sensationalise his otherwise drab article which is a self appraisal to promote egotism, like many other recent articles of himself in various daily papers. This club over the last 20 years has worked very hard to provide the best for the drivers, riders and spectators. We are rewarded for this hard work by the fact that at every meet of ours we have had over 100 entries. Apart from this we also take pride in the fact that the best motor sport meets of the country, drawing over 25,000-30,000 spectators at each event are organised by SLARDAR. We also conduct the most number of national events in the country. We are aware that Silva is responsible for the two companies McFoil and Mobil. His main agenda in participating at meets is also to promote his products and not to assist in the development of the sport, as he makes out. The recent floating of a restricted company to conduct motor sports is glaring indicator of his motive. Possibly he intends to control the sport through companies. SLARDAR on the other hand is a club established solely to provide the best for all competitors - drivers and riders - and not to promote particular teams, brands or individuals. All inquiries conducted and findings by the club, are very transparent. What Silva forgets is that there is always two sides to any story. It is for the inquiring body to study facts (and not "hear-say") and give decisions accordingly. If a competitor or complainant is aggrieved, there is provision to present his case before the disciplinary board of the controlling body for motor sports - Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) which is a democratically elected body, represented by members of all motor sports clubs in the island. Any findings of any club inquiry could be re-examined by SLAS. The reference to and instance of evidence that the declaration made regarding engine capacity not been proper is a diabolical lie and we invite Mr. Silva to show proof of this statement. There is no special consideration given by this club to protests - if made by Silva. All protests follow a laid down procedure and Silva could, if not satisfied with findings appeal to SLAS and if still not satisfied appeal to the Hon. Minister of Sports as laid down in the "Sports Law and Regulations". Thus his arguments does not hold water - and his allegations, in the said article, are obviously to "show" himself as a "saviour of the sport."! It is indeed a pity that the drivers bought over by Silva have to race according to the whim and fancy of the owner! Is she not depriving drivers, through sanctioning, to take part in events of their choice? It looks as if the owner has bought not only the hearts but also the souls of individuals! His absence of our meets is truly a blessing! We have no trumped-up protests and there is unity and comradeship among competitors, who very sportingly resolve and rectify any disputes, most amicably. In any racing event each individual competitor is a watchdog against all fellow competitors. The club committee consist of members with unblemished records and if it is the intention of Silva to divide the committee by his unwarranted and highly volatile accusations, we must say he is on a highly delusional course - Before he levels charges against others he better focus on himself and correct the many shocking shortcomings, which are very apparent to all. Once he has done so, perhaps then, we might consider him in better light. Finally Silva should realise that 'One swallow does not make a summer and one competitor or one team does not make a race meet.' Dilhan Jayawardena, Secretary, SLARDAR. |
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