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| Thursday, 27 January 2005 |
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Elections in the local sports scene for 2005 becomes even more interesting with elections to the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC), held once in four years, too due to take place this year. There are over fifty registered NSAs with the Ministry of Sports and all those bodies, except for a few which are under interim administration, must hold their AGMs before March end. A few NSAs, including that governs aquatic sports, has already conducted their elections but the big tussles are expected at some of the top controlling bodies. Amongst the NSAs of which elections are looked forward to with much interest among sports loving public are Sri Lanka Cricket, Athletic Association of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Rugby Football Association and Football Federation of Sri Lanka. But the biggest attraction of all 'sports elections' this year would be that of the NOC, which is likely to take place during the latter part of the year. As usual, there is a mad rush and an all out campaign amongst sports officials. Their election campaigns are even unaffected by the tsunami tragedy. One wonders why some of these officials are making such a hard effort in their election campaigns to serve our sports. But one can't single out sports officials and blame them because it is the typical election culture experienced in countries like Sri Lanka. If all the officials had that genuine interest in promoting their NSAs, our sports would have been on a much higher elevation by now. They talk loads of rubbish before the AGMs. Lots of talk and false promises are made in a bid to seek office, but once they get elected, it is a totally different story. For some officials, a sport is business and a way of life. They make use of their good office to benefit from various means, whether it is financial or otherwise. Then there are a few who make use of the sports image to boost their personal business enterprises. But still, there are a few genuine gentlemen who perform an exemplary job as sports officials. They work tirelessly for the betterment and promotion of their respective organisations and sport, make use of their personal business affiliations to obtain sponsorships and help sportsmen and women. Two or more sides contesting at an election is normal practice in a democratic world. But what frustrates everyone is to see even the officials who work in one group in the same executive committee, fighting amongst themselves during election time to grab posts. As in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies in Sri Lanka sports administration. There have been enough examples in the past, even more at present and there would be no difference in the future. Why are these officials fighting with each other to secure a top post? Certainly not for the best interest of sports, but for a better interest for themselves. The Sports Law prevents a person serving at a top post of a NSA for more than two successive terms, unless that person obtains special permission from the Sports Minister after the second year in office. But there had been instances where the officials bypass that rule and do a merry-go-round - seeking a demotion to the post of Vice President after two years as President and then come back to the top seat a year later. But the power of the people could beat all odds. It's the member clubs, controlling bodies, district associations and provincial bodies of those NSAs that have the final say on who should govern their respective sports in the coming year. They must make full use of their rights and use that vote for the best interest of Sri Lanka sports. Let's have some genuine and honest sports officials who can make a worthwhile contribution to sports. |
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Produced by Lake House |
It's election time in Sri Lanka's sports arena. With all national
sports associations (NSAs) bound to conduct their respective annual
general meetings and election of office bearers on or before March 31 of
each year, many sports officials are busy with their 'promotional work'.
