The NOC its...:
Role and responsibility
Sqn Ldr J T Rex Fernando SLAF (rtd)
With reference to the assertions made by the NOC chief Hemasiri
Fernando in an interview and reported in esteemed newspaper under the
caption 'Lanka must target 2018 Commonwealth Games', I am constrained to
make some comments and observations.
I was amused by the somewhat desperate and convoluted arguments as to
need to work with vision to target the 2018 Commonwealth Games. He has
discreetly ignored the fiasco and debacle of the Commonwealth Games, and
the reason for the pathetic sports men and women at the two mega
international events. He in his assertions have manifestly demonstrated,
that there is no necessity to ascertain the reasons and causes for our
pathetic performances.
For the first time in 28 years the very large contingents of our
sports men and women returned empty handed.
No right thinking person will dispute the fact that the overall
performance of our athletes was pathetic, embarrassing and disgraceful.
Aggravating the problem is the irreparable damage caused by the doping
scandal of our boxer. All these have abundantly and manifestly
demonstrated the ineffectiveness of our national sports controlling
bodies including the NOC. The NOC cannot escape from its
responsibilities considering the objectives of this sports body.
Priority
Before deciding on the formulation and plans for the preparation of
the 2018 Commonwealth Games, initially it is necessary as a matter of
priority to undertake a honest and meaning inquiry as to the reason and
causes of the deplorable and the pathetic performance of our athletes at
the two mega international sports events. The planning for the 2018
Commonwealth Games has to be based essentially on the findings of such
inquiry. This is an essential pre-requisite.
(a) Contributory causes: Apart from what an formally constituted
inquiry while it will endeavour to determine the causes, the following
are some of the salient aspects that should be considered, these aspects
are inextricably interwoven with Commonwealth and Asian games debacle.
Preparatory training
While it is accepted that the NOC is not a factory that produces
medals' as asserted by the NOC chief, it has an inescapable obligation
to facilitate and monitor the training by the national sports bodies. It
must ensure that those selected for participation in international
events are properly prepared and trained.
Other countries train for international meets three or four years
ahead. In Sri Lanka the training is ad hoc. When will we ever learn to
suitably train and prepare. It is pertinent to inquire in which way has
the NOC provided for the training and development of our sports men and
women.
Basis/criteria for selection
On what basis/ criteria were the selection made for participation in
the two mega international events? Over the years sports men and women
have been sent to represent the country without a meaningful evaluation
of their performances in relation to the minimum expected standards. It
is a waste of time, money and allied resources sending teams for mega
competitions, if the proper standards cannot be met to ensure a medal.
Further, a question that begs to be asked is why Sri Lanka continues to
send large contingents knowing very well that majority of the
competitors have not reached even the Asian standard.
(c) Drugs and doping
During the recent past, there have been quite a number of our sports
men and women who have been detected for taking banned drugs, and
disqualified. Apart from the humiliation and embarrassment to the
concerned, the damage to the image of the country is immense and
irreparable. Despite recurring incidents, it is pertinent to ascertain
what meaningful action has been taken by the NOC and other national
sports controlling bodies to: (i) Deter potential offenders, (ii) Advise
and educate sports men and women of the ill effects, (iii) The
consequents - deterrent punishment of offenders.
(d) Composition of sports contingents
Various sports bodies regularly send large contingents along with an
chaperones for various sports events abroad. While this has baffled
everyone, sports bodies, continue to send large contingents. It is
evident that the NOC and the Ministry of Sports has been unable to
exercise a meaningful control in this respect.
The excessive number of officials and chaperones who accompanied our
contingents to the Commonwealth and Asian Games had a unique opportunity
of witness the Games at the tax payers expense.
(e) Foreign tours
Another aspect very closely connected to the dismal performances of
our athletes is the inordinate desire of our sports men and women and
officials of sports bodies to go abroad for international sports events.
There is no sports topic in Sri Lanka, on which there has been so
much controversies, disputes and allegations of abuse than on the
subject of sports tours undertaken by various sports bodies. Presently
controversy surrounds the intended composition of the Sri Lanka
Badminton Association team for participation in Li Ning Youth Badminton
Championship to be held in Singapore. The Association is planning to
send a very large contingent.
(f) Development
While much attention and resources will be directed on infrastructure
development, adequate priority should be affording to the development of
our sports men and women, on well planned basis.
(g) Selecting/composition of teams
The composition of the teams for participation in the Commonwealth
and Asian Games was disputed and criticized. Articles and letters have
also appeared in the valuable columns of your esteemed paper. In view of
the regular brickbats hurled at sports controlling bodies and the
apparent nonchalant attitude adopted by some sports controlling bodies
which continue unabated accepting and undertaking any invitation from
abroad, it is timely that the Sports Ministry impose more stringent
safeguards and also the NOC provide some effective guidelines in respect
of participation in international sports events.
Future planning
While the need for planning for the 2018 Commonwealth Games cannot be
over emphasized, it should be after a meaningful analytical study as to
the causes for the pathetic performance of our athletes. All salient
aspects including the sports administration, infrastructure must be
carefully examined.
Last time that Sri Lanka faced a most disappointing period was in
1982 at the New Delhi Games. But Sri Lankan bounced back to perform
creditably at the 1986 Seoul Games. This was because there was better
planning in the subsequent years.
Everything is not lost for Sri Lanka, since Sri Lanka is bidding to
host the Commonwealth Games in 2018. There will be a tremendous
opportunities for Sri Lanka budding sports men and women to excel. |