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| Thursday, 13 January 2005 |
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Sporting world's splendid response It was nice to see the power of the sporting world, which rallied round to support the victims of the Boxing Day Tsunami disaster. Several international sports bodies, including the FIFA, ICC and IAAF, led the fund-raising from the international arena while the governing bodies of the respective sports in Sri Lanka FFSL, SLC and AASL did their part back home. Sport is a great leveller, irrespective of caste, race or religion. It has that great power of uniting people across the globe. Sport is a great modem to transmit peace to all corners of the world. It teaches how one should be humble in victory and determined in defeat. The world sporting family just proved these qualities in standing strong for their Asian fellow sportsmen and women in their time of grief. The backing of the world sports bodies as well as friendly countries and other international organisations such as the United Nations, was a great relief for those countries affected by the tidal waves. Beside the FIFA, ICC and IAAF, the supreme most sports body in the world, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) donated USD one million towards Asian tsunami victims fund. The International Cricket Council made the first move in organising two charity matches in aid of tsunami victims, with the first game in Melbourne last Monday alone raising over 11 million USD. Sri Lanka Cricket initiated its own local campaign to help the unfortunate victims. The Rs.200 million Cricket Aid project, led by former SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala, also plans to put up four villages with 50 houses each, including one in the LTTE dominated Mulaitivu. Initially, the SLC would have four refugee camps with all facilities. FIFA Development Officer and Asian FC Vice President, Manilal Fernando led the campaign to obtain assistance from the world football family. His high-profile international relations has helped FFSL to secure a rich deal to assist tsunami victims. FIFA President Sepp Blatter has promised two million USD which would be extended up to ten million USD with some charity matches among the top soccer-playing nations. In addition, they would also inject two million USD for the development of the game in affected areas. The world governing body for track and field - IAAF, was quick to release USD 45,000 immediately to AASL to rebuild an affected school. The United States Olympians alumni too came out with a lavish contribution of around USD 50,000. These have been made possible due to the untiring efforts of AASL president Sunil Jayaweera and secretary Prema Pinnawale. While the tsunami tragedy forced the politicians to forget their differences and join hands to iron out common problems of millions of displaced people, sportsmen and women too put aside their petty differences and join hands to help the needy. Susanthika Jayasinghe and Damayanthi Darsha, two of the greatest woman athletes ever produced by Sri Lanka, joined hands to carry a load of educational and recreational materials to affected schoolchildren down south. Sri Lanka sprinter Rohan Pradeep Kumara and marathon runner Anuradha Indrajith Cooray too gave their fullest support to make it a successful venture. Even the international cricket arena too had similar reunion with two of world's most dangerous spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muraralitharan joining hands for a worthy course. Leg spinner Warne, who has not been comfortable with Sri Lankan fans, offered to tour Sri Lanka in a humanitarian mission. Similarly, Muralitharan had a great welcome from Australian fans during Monday's charity match at the MCG. Back home, the 10th South Asian Games Secretariat was engaged in a totally different venture helping the foreign volunteers engaged in relief work in tsunami affected areas with communication and other facilities. It was heartening to see local officials at the SAG Secretariat doing their best to meet the needs of the volunteer force - 'Scientology International Volunteers' residing at the Sugathadasa Stadium Sports Hotel. The Asian tsunami forced a complete standstill in Asian sports activities - postponement of the 10th South Asian Games to next year, abandoning Sri Lanka's cricket tour of New Zealand, postponement of the Asian Netball Championships and several other international and local sports events. But there were no regrets as everybody joined hands to help the needy to the best of their abilities. The tsunami disaster has proved the world how strong the bonds of sports are, how powerful the relationship of the sporting world is and the wonders that sports could do to make this world a better place to live. Let this be an example to all for a better tomorrow! |
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