‘Making sports integral part of life, govt’s aim’- Part III:

Need for drug education strategy

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

Following is the text of the speech.

20. Human resources development for productivity

Up-skilling people, developing capacity and human resources in the various fields of sport serves to establish an effective sports system that can be employed by public institutions working for sports development.

Performing management development activities directed at improving productivity in government institutions involved in sports promotion and activities particularly leading to human resource development in such institutions are to be encouraged. It is imperative to establish an Accreditation and Licensing System whereby people are encouraged to obtain technical and administrative training in sport, follow pathways to upgrade their competence, secure higher levels of qualifications and are able to be recognized through certification. A database must record the number of persons engaged as coaches, officials and administrators at the various skill levels, the locations at which they are deployed and continually update them with new developments applicable to their area of work.

21. Assistance of volunteers to sports

Encouraging citizens to volunteer in sport must be developed and encouraged.

A system to;

(a) recruit
(b) retain and

(c) evaluation of volunteers who are involved in sport must be established. This will help to increase the number of persons working on a daily basis and cost effectively support all sports agencies in the delivery of their programmes throughout the country.

22. Sports medical facilities for all

Providing assistance for the extension of sports medical facilities throughout the country.

Action should be taken to provide sports medical facilities at Provincial and District levels to service all those who are engaged in sports activities. Steps should also be taken to provide an educational service to athletes and coaches with medical knowledge so that injury is in the first place prevented, rehabilitation better managed and sport medical guidance given to support the attainment of elite level performance in competition.

23. Adherence to international standards and conventions

Encouragement will be given to all sports associations and institutions involved in the development of sports to comply with the International Olympic Charter, the strict following of selection criteria and processes, the training and management of sports persons and to act in accordance with international regulations.

Processes relating to selection, training, management, disciplinary action and the organization of sports events should be done according to international sports standards and all related work should be conducted honouring the International Olympic Charter.

24. Prohibition of use of drugs and stimulants

Laws regarding the use of prohibited stimulants and drugs will be implemented in terms of the World Anti Doping Agency.

Action will be taken to ensure that the sports persons of Sri Lanka abide by the United Nations International Convention Against Doping in Sport and the World Anti Doping Agency's Code on the use of prohibited stimulants and drugs in sport. A sport drug education strategy will be implemented in the first instance while steps will also be taken in Sri Lanka to empower an institution to investigate, test and prosecute persons involved in the manufacture, distribution and/or use of drugs prohibited in sport.

25. Government assistance for international competitions

Sports persons taking part in SAARF Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games to be given total government assistance.

Total government assistance will be given in accordance with a prescribed system to sports persons who participate in major international competitions as well as for government and other sports association officials who are required to participate in them. The provision of such assistance must be contractual whereby the recipient of such assistance must abide by pre-determined conditions that are agreed to in advance and similarly an agreed service to the country is provided as appropriate upon their return.

26. Talented sports persons to be given higher education privileges

Schoolchildren who win national sports competitions should be given special privileges to enter universities and other institutes of higher education.

When seeking admission to universities and other institutes of higher education privileges should be afforded to those who have won National and International level achievements.

27. Athlete career education

Special assistance and concessions will be granted to athletes who win and achieve set performance levels at national sports competitions to further themselves when their term of competing in sport ends.

Athletes who devote much of their early life to long spells of training and competition will be granted special privileges and concessions to complete their normal school education and to gain entry to university courses and other educational institutions conducting courses of study which facilitate future employment.

28. Higher education and research in sport

Assistance will be provided for the development of national institutes awarding degrees, post graduate degrees, conducting research and encouraging work in collaboration with similar local and international institutes.

Acting in collaboration with national and international universities and research institutes that award degrees, post graduate degrees and conduct research activities in sports, the National Sports Academy and the National Institute of Sports Science will be restructured so that courses in Sports Science, Sport Medicine and in allied fields may be commenced at Sri Lankan Universities and undergraduate and postgraduate degrees may be awarded.

29. Special privileges for world class sports persons

Winners at major international events will be given special concessions to secure government jobs in the sports sector and special incentives provided to get employment in the private sector.

In providing employment opportunities in the Public Sector as well as in the Private Sector, special privileges will be given to those who have won local and international sporting events of a particular standard and special concession will also be granted to assist them with participation in training and competition whilst being employed.

30. Recognition of veterans

Veteran sports persons who have won laurels at SAARC Games, Asian Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games to be honoured

In recognition of all proficient sports persons who have won at major international competitions, national awards will be given to them together with financial incentives in accordance with prescribed regulations.

31. Assistance of the veterans in sport

While encouraging proficient sports persons who have won international awards to remain active in sport, they will be gainfully employed so that their expertise could be shared with newcomers.

Systematic programmes will be organized to enable proficient sports persons to be made available through employment to share their expert knowledge and experience with new developing sports persons.

32. Protection of proficient sports persons

Introduction of a social security programme for sports persons who have won national and international awards and bestowed credit to Sri Lanka. An appropriate national conservation programme aimed at the protection and welfare of sports persons who have sacrificed much, won national and international awards and have brought credit to Sri Lanka must be established.

33. An Independent Tribunal for Sports

An Independent Tribunal and an Arbitration Board will be set up to inquire to in disputes regarding sports

An independent Tribunal and an Arbitration Board will be established to settle disputes arising in the sports field and disciplinary matters to be attended to in an independent and transparent manner.

34. Tax exemption for sports

Sports material and equipment imported by National Sports Associations and government institutions dealing with sports to be exempted from all taxes.

Sports materials and equipment, sports medical equipment, medicine and nutrients imported by government institutions relating to sports for the use of sports associations and their members must be given tax exemption.

35. Tax relief to those who assist sports

Tax relief to be granted to private institutions which provide various forms of assistance for the development of sport.

Upon authentication by the Ministry of Sport, tax relief should be granted to the private sector which provides various forms of assistance to relevant government institutions and sports organizations for the development of sports.

36. Commercial basis for sports associations

Maintenance of economically viable sports associations as productive units.

Encouragements to be given to develop sports associations as commercially viable units in order to develop a sports related economy.

37. Opportunities for sports in each workplace

The utilisation of sport in the workplace must be encouraged and the achievement of benefits within the workforce realised.

Sport impacts positively on the health, well being and morale of workforce. For this purpose it is necessary to provide the time, necessary facilities, support and environment required by the work force.

38. Priority for sports in the Mass Media

Positive media coverage for sports and sports persons, publishing sport education material and creating enthusiasm among the masses is a role media outlets must be encouraged to undertake.

The media must adequately promote and offer ongoing support for the development of sport by ensuring balanced, impartial and constructive reporting of sport news, sport material and matters related to sports persons and sports officials.

The print and electronic media must give wide scale and constructive coverage to popularise sport among the people in a manner that people are informed and are attracted to participate in sport.

The training of sports journalists and ongoing interaction must follow a strategic path.

39. A National Sports Information Centre and Museum

A National Sport Information Centre equipped with modern technology and adequate resources for the accessing and capturing of all necessary information on local and foreign sports news, sport technical information and developments, research and statistics, rules and regulations governing sports must be established.

While the National Sports Information Centre (NSIC) collects and stores all necessary information, statistics and data, I must establish a mechanism to disseminate relevant information to athletes, coaches, officials and administrators in a timely manner so that they are regularly updated with modern trends and can benefit from new knowledge. It will also be a function of the NSIC to conserve and display historical sports documents, visual images, material, equipment and other appropriate artefacts for posterity.

40. Code of ethics for sports

Introduction of a code of ethic pertaining to sports which should be followed by all involved in sports.

A code of ethics should be introduced to the sports to be declared and followed by all concerned in order to protect its honour and integrity so that all persons abide by it.

41. Sri Lanka to be an ideal venue for sports

Sri Lanka will be marketed as an ideal location to hold international sports events and will be encouraged to build a sport tourism industry.

Using the central location of Sri Lanka, its natural attributes and its vast resources, Sri Lanka should be made an attractive venue to hold international sports competitions through which the new medium of sport tourism can be developed so as to generate an economic impact.

42. Sports for tourist attraction

Providing assistance to encourage sports which can attract tourists

With a view to making Sri Lanka a Tourist Paradise, promoting, encouraging and giving priority to sports and adventure experiences as a means of popularizing entertainment.

43. Making sports related industries a priority item in the economy

Providing incentives for the production and export of sports related equipment and services.

Providing relief and encouraging industries manufacturing sports related materials and export promotion and import substitution sports equipment using local raw materials and man power to earn foreign exchange by creating employment opportunities in allied sports fields.

44. Opportunities through sports

Having identified employment opportunities in the field of sports, and providing vocational trainings of international standards, employment opportunities to be provided in the local and foreign sports field.

Identification of employment opportunities such as experienced professional trainers, persons experienced in the medical field, sports managers, event managers, physiotherapists and masseurs. Having given professional training in the respective fields, development of human resources for local and foreign employment opportunities.

45. Economic benefits through recreational sports

Providing encouragement to popularize recreational sports aimed at economic benefits.

Providing encouragement to popularize recreational sports with a view to attracting local and foreign sportsmen to generate economic benefits by the introduction of various recreational sports in a creative manner using various resources and opportunities available in various parts in Sri Lanka.

Concluded