Sports now free from terror

The entire country is celebrating the eradication of terrorism by our valiant Security Forces. Sri Lanka becomes the first country to eradicate terrorism, that too the most ruthless terror outfit in the world - the LTTE, which has claimed thousands of innocent lives.

Irrespective of their race, religion or political affiliations, Sri Lankans, both here and abroad, are jubilant that the LTTE is completely defeated and that all its leaders, including Velupillai Prabhakaran, have been killed.

There is no exception in the sports arena. Sportsmen and women of different levels, including national players, Olympians and officials of the National Sports Associations (NSAs) hailed the great achievements of the brave sons of our soil. They pointed out that the eradication of terrorism would enable to make Sri Lanka a better sporting destination.

Terrorism not only affected the day-to-day lives of our people and killed thousands and thousands of innocent civilians as a result of the barbaric acts of Prabhakaran , but also disrupted Sri Lanka's sports commitments.

First it was way back in 1987 when New Zealand cricket team's tour here had a premature end when the LTTE exploded a bomb in Pettah. That prompted the New Zealand team to return home cutting short their three-Test series after the first match.

When Sri Lanka co-hosted the 1996 World Cup, Australia and the West Indies did not come here to honour their first round matches due to security reasons. However, India and Pakistan extended their solidarity by coming here to play an exhibition match and it was a true morale booster.

Incidentally, Sri Lanka went on to win the 1996 World Cup under Arjuna Ranatunga.

The most recent setback in Sri Lanka sport was the withdrawal of South African cricket team halfway through a tour here due to a terrorist attack in Kollupitiya a couple of years ago. That disrupted a Triangular one day series we were to host along with India. However, neighbouring India came here for a series with Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has lost opportunities of hosting several other sports events due to LTTE terrorism as most visiting teams did not want to take a chance due to terror attacks. Sri Lanka had to face many problems in securing the Rugby Asiad but some of the top teams opted out due to security concerns.

Even the Singer-Sri Lankan Rugby Sevens, Sri Lanka's annual international seven-a-side rugby spectacular in Kandy, too has had problems in attracting top teams such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong due to the terror acts of the LTTE. But the organisers have done a commendable job in attracting several foreign teams under difficult conditions.

Apart from the great damage the LTTE has done to Sri Lanka for three decades, disrupting our day-to-day life, killing innocent civilians and affecting Sri Lanka's economic progress, the Tigers have also contributed to slow down the country's progress as an international sports venue.

Hence, the eradication of terrorism and Prabhakaran's barbaric rule in the North would also be heartening news for Sri Lanka sports arena as well. We could now make an attempt to host many international sports events as possible, giving our sportsmen and women ample opportunities to take on world class players in home conditions. That would also be good news for local sports fans as well.

The local sports family, be it sportsmen/women, officials and the sports loving public should be grateful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Government for the courageous steps taken during the hard and strenuous journey to eradicate terrorism. They had to face all odds and heavy international pressure during the near three-year long 'humanitarian battle' which began from Mavil Aru.

The right and far sighted political leadership that combined effectively with the right military leadership to free Sri Lanka from terrorism, a feat even the so-called big countries have failed to achieve.

President Rajapaksa's able political leadership was a source of inspiration and motivation for the soldiers in the battle front. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa gave the right leadership to the defence establishment.

Their untiring efforts and the dedication of the Commanders of the Sri Lanka Army, Air Force, Navy and Police, helped the nation to achieve those great wins.

On behalf of all sportsmen, sportswomen, officials, coaches and fans, we would like to express our gratitude and thank all those who made immense sacrifices to defeat the LTTE. The eradication of terrorism would enable a better future for Sri Lanka sport as well.

We could expect more funds to develop sport and with the new trends in the local economy, the private sector too could make a better contribution to promote sport through larger sponsorships.

It is high time that the local sports officials draw future plans and attract sponsors so that they could make the best use of the eradication of terrorism. Sri Lanka sports should now have a better future, provided our officials work sincerely with a vision.

The sports officials must make every endeavour to get down more international tournaments here so that we could afford more opportunities for local sportsmen and women. Initially, we could host the South Asian and Asian level tournaments so that we could set our sights on the 2010 Asian Games in China.

The Sports Ministry must immediately talk to the respective NSAs and draw a plan in consultation with the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka. We must make the best use of the latest developments to invest on the future of Sri Lanka sport.

Sri Lanka's corporate sector too has a special responsibility to play as true corporate citizens and lend a helping hand to tomorrow's gold medallists. All of us must make a collective effort to secure a better future for Sri Lanka sport.