‘Concept of anti-doping needs the support of everyone’

Ranjan ANANDAPPA

Professor Arjuna de Silva who took over the duties as the Head of the Sports Medicine Unit from Dr. Githanjana Mendis recently, in his media briefing yesterday said that this big concept of Sports Medicine and Anti Doping need the support from everyone to be a success. Prof. Arjuna de Silva elaborating further pointed out that it should be a team effort and gather the best and the talented people possible for the successful run of these two units.

The newly appointed Professor summoned a press briefing at the Sports Medicine Head Quarters at Torrington Square, to outline the future plans and the plans to improve activities in all aspects and sought the support of the media for the betterment of the Sports Unit and the Sports Medicine in general, “that’s what our aim should be,” he said.

“This project is undoubtedly a team effort and we need everyone who is good and talented to be absorbed. We should form a capable team of doctors, not only in Sri Lanka but those who live overseas as well, so that we could send our sportsmen abroad if the necessity arises. Our doctors are very talented and given the facilities they can treat most of them. So all we need is a good team, leaving aside personal agendas and working towards the benefit of the sportsmen and the country to forge forward,” he added.

He stressed on the point of having the Sports Medicine Unit and the Doping Unit as two separate one’s as directed by the Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage - These two units which are now amalgamated, should be run as two totally different departments, with a different person at the helm and a competent set of people backing him, in a separate building.

It is obvious that when the same person treats someone there is configure interest which cannot happen. The two Institutions should be totally different and independent. All over the World these two are placed differently.

Professor Arjuna de Silva an old Thomian who has represented his school at the annual Royal-Thomian Regatta for three consecutive years (1981-83’) said that the coaches who are at times unaware or knowingly encourage some sportsmen to consume banned substances should be advised on the gravity of it.

“We should conduct seminars and educate the coaches and the players as to what are the banned substances and what is not. There is no purpose in using it, because there is no escape once you have been tested positive and you will have to face the consequences. To differentiate the drugs that is banned and the one’s that are not. It is easily accessible in the web-site. We will have it available in our web-site as well,” quipped the Professor.