‘Making sports integral part of life, govt’s aim’

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage recently presented the National Sports Policy of Sri Lanka to Parliament.

Following is the text of the speech.

If we trace back the history of sports in Sri Lanka, the year 1948 can be termed as a golden year as it was in that year that a Silver Medal was won by Sri Lanka at the International Olympic Games.

Duncan White won a Silver Medal in 400m hurdles in that year and thereafter, Sri Lankan sports have marched forward with many ups and downs on its way during the last 63 years. The highest award that Sri Lanka could win during the recent past was the winning of a Silver Medal by Susanthika Jayasinghe at Sydney Olympics in the year 2000. In between, Sri Lanka has won many awards at the Commonwealth Games, World Championship, Asian games and South Asian Games bringing credit to the country.

Winning the Cricket World Cup in 1996 and being runners-up in 2010 and 2011 twice thereafter have taken Sri Lanka to greater heights as a world leader in Cricket.

But during the last decade or so, there had been some setbacks in Sri Lankan sports due to unavoidable reasons. Due to the war situation which prevailed in the country for over three decades and up-rising among the youths have prevented the Sri Lankan younger generation from drawing towards sports. But with the dawn of the long awaited peace in the country, the time has come to use sports for the greater good of the peace, unity and prosperity of the nation. In this regard, there are ample opportunities of using Sports for the good health of the younger generation by sharpening their sports talents to make them an active and a disciplined lot who could march ahead with team spirits. Similarly, in our attempts to make Sri Lanka the ‘Wonder of Asia’ it is necessary to provide infrastructure facilities required by the sports field in order to build it up to make Sri Lanka an attractive venue in sports which could contribute for the economic development of the country creating, in turn, a new sports culture.

With these broad objectives in view, and to develop the sports field in Sri Lanka on a systematic and a scientific footing, it is proposed to announce a national policy on sports. It is hoped that all concerned parties will abide by this policy.

It is proposed to develop many varieties of sports in Sri Lanka to make sports an active contributor to the economic development of the country. Sports could also be used for the development of tourism as especially the international fame and recognition achieved in cricket can be used for this purpose. Similarly golf, surfing and water sports have ideal opportunities and possibilities in Sri Lanka. In addition, motor racing, hill climbing, beach games and horse racing could be promoted in a big way and developed to attract tourists.

Another aspect is the development of sports related industries with the use of our raw material and talented craftsmanship. Sports equipment which are in great demand and tools which have a ready market could be easily manufactured in Sri Lanka, having encouraged prospective investors to undertake their production.

We also can develop the human resources relating to sports so that they can work as international trainers and sports instructors. There are ample opportunities in Sri Lanka to develop those activities.

The favourable climatic conditions prevailing in Sri Lanka could be used to make the country an International Training Centre in sports for overseas sports persons throughout the year.

In this task, sports should be treated as a beneficial economic activity which requires analysis and provision of related support.

With these broad concepts in view and in consideration of all the above factors, it is proposed to declare Sports Policy for Sri Lanka to develop the field of sports on a systematic and a scientific footing. Accordingly, it is hoped that all parties connected to sports will act in terms of proposed sports policy.

Vision

Sri Lanka to be the strongest Asian country in sports

Mission

To be a nation of champions in sport

In a healthy, disciplined, unified and prosperous society

Goals

1. To make Sports an integral part of Sri Lankan Culture and Society.

2.To utilize Sports to enrich the quality of life, physical well-being and health of all Sri Lankans.

3.To provide knowledge, access and the opportunity for everyone to participate in Sports and enjoy its benefits.

4.To make available resources and appropriate infrastructure for the overall development of Sport.

5.To assist every Sri Lankan to achieve optimum potential in Sport and ensure that Sri Lanka's international image as a successful sporting nation is both viable and sustainable.

6.To develop a Sports Industry in Sri Lanka, create new employment and contribute to the promotion of economic growth.

7.To utilize the field of sports as one of the main foreign exchange earner of Sri Lanka.

8.To bring peace and communal harmony through the sports.

Prime elements of the National Sports Policy

1. Every citizen is a Sportsperson

Providing every Sri Lankan with knowledge of the values and benefits of Sports and access to sport facilities and programmes so as to achieve high rates of mass participation in recreation and sports throughout the country.

Creating an interest in sports among the entire population, particularly the young people to ensure their improved physical and mental health throughout their whole life, Embracing the qualities of discipline, team spirit, leadership and living in harmony with fellow citizens in a nation united and striving to maintain the highest standards of human values and endeavour.

2. New Sports Culture

Encouraging the establishment of a ‘Sports Culture’ in Sri Lanka

A new culture is born through the thinking and actions of people. A sports culture is to be established by encouraging people to adopt sport as an integral part of their lives.

3. Priority for good health

Encouraging the implementation of better physical health programmes covering all aspects of the society.

In creating a healthy nation, highest priority is to be given for the improvement of health and physical fitness of all citizens. In doing so, participation in sports and physical fitness programmes on a wider scale should be encouraged paying special attention for the consumption of local nutritious and a balanced diet which would eventually create a healthy nation with increased productivity.

4. Sports for recreation

The attraction of individuals and groups to participate in recreation is a means to attract them to mass participation in Sport and provide them a pathway to achieve higher levels of skill in more intense physical activity and if desired, to engage in competitive sports.

Since Sport follows established structures and conforms to rules and regulations, it is necessary to promote recreational activities solely to attract individuals and groups to take up participation in physical activity. This serves as a low level entry point to organized sport activity, thereby providing a pathway to achieve more advanced competencies and skills and increase the number of sportspersons registered for training in competitive sport.

5. Sports for peace and development

Giving priority to Sports for sustainable peace and social development

Acknowledging that Sports has the potential to unite people, break down racial and ethnic barriers, eliminate discrimination and build stronger, healthier and happier communities, sports will be used to accelerate and enhance the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka.

6. A bright future for Sportive youth

Encouraging groups of youth to take up sports, guiding them to the betterment of their physical and mental health and the development of their productivity, particularly as they form the future of the country.

As the future of the country depends on the younger generation, priority should be given to utilize Sport to engage them in meaningful activity, to equip them with knowledge to assume responsibility for the maintenance of good health throughout their future lives, provide them skills through sport to be gainfully employed in the workforce, to achieve highest work outputs and to live in harmony with their fellow citizens for the greater good of Sri Lanka.

To be continued