National Sports Policy could help build ‘Sri Lankan identity’

Lionel WIJESIRI

Sport has the capacity to transform the lives of individuals. It bolsters physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being and development. At the same time sport plays a significant role in cultures and communities. These factors alone justify investment in sports programming. But there is also a growing understanding that sports programmes merit support because they are powerful vehicles for achieving broader goals, particularly in advancing the overall economic and social development of the country.

During the past few decades, our policy planners have typically marginalized sport, viewing it as a relatively low priority among a host of needs and goals. Recently, though, a national movement has taken root that recognizes that sport does not have to compete with other development priorities but can instead be a powerful means for addressing them.

It is heartening to note the present government has begun to think strategically about sport for development and peace. Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that he proposes to introduce a National Sports Policy with the main objective of developing the sports field in Sri Lanka on a systematic and a scientific footing.

Much work must still be done to fully link the national movement to practitioners in the field and to bring the sport and development sectors together. Carried out wisely, however, a Sports Policy has the potential to play an important role in fostering the national development.

Quantum leap

Over the years many sports persons and administrators have worked hard to bring glory to our country in their own individual ways but the sum of such localized effort cannot effectively substitute for a concerted national agenda strengthened by efficient national associations and fortified by governmental support and political will. It is now a widely accepted view one of the factors that has contributed to our low level of performance and attainment in the field of sport is the fact that there has never been a systematic and comprehensive policy and plan for the development of sports in Sri Lanka.

This has led to a situation where, despite our best efforts of some of our sports persons and sports administrators, we have not been able to make that quantum leap forward to achieve major success in sports.

The National Sports Policy to be presented by the government will therefore serve as a vehicle to transport our sports persons and sports administrators on a journey towards improved sporting performance and attainment locally, regionally and internationally.

Development

I believe there are five positive 'developments' arising from a properly developed Sports Culture:

Physical development
Social development
Mental development
Community development
National development

Physical development: Participation in sports from an early age helps in the physical development of the individual through capacity building in physical coordination, through the positive use of energy, and the promotion of healthy bodies. Participation in sports programmes is one of the best-known ways of maintaining optimum health from childhood to adulthood. It is instrumental in helping the individual at all levels to gain strength, endurance, agility, co-ordination and flexibility.

Social development: Sports should provide satisfactory experiences in promoting co-operation and in developing proper attitudes towards one peers and a sense of value. It should also help the individual to make group adjustments, to build a culture of tolerance and promote competitiveness.

Mental development: Sports provide opportunities for individuals to participate in creative experiences. Individuals learn to make judgments, utilize reflective and creative thinking, and acquire knowledge about rules and regulations in various games.

Community development: Sporting activity plays a vital role in creating a sense of collective goodwill. It is imperative that we encourage communities to use sports as a tool to engage the energies of the young and provide a vital avenue for their self-actualization and the expression of their capabilities.

National development: At the national level, sports must play an integral role in the everyday life of Sri Lankans and in the development process of the country.

The development of sports requires that it be inculcated into the national culture and lifestyle of all Sri Lankans regardless of age, gender, social status, physical ability, and political and religious complexion. No longer should sports be seen as merely as a pastime but also as a means of personal and professional advancement. In the development and promotion of sports, it must be acknowledged that sports are a viable investment opportunity, which can contribute to tourism and economic development.

Recognition of a people and nation derives from their achievements and accomplishments. It is universally accepted that sports is a major international avenue for this recognition and that it facilitates the participation of all nations on the basis of equal status and open competitiveness. The contribution of sports to national pride, cultural identity and its value in the promotion of civic values in nation building is widely accepted.

Guidelines

Guided by the above philosophy, I believe that the national sports policy should seek to achieve the following:

1. Facilitate the development of elite sports personalities
2. Integrate sports into our national culture by encouraging lifelong participation
3. Create career opportunities
4. Maximize the economic potential of sports
5. Guide the development of facilities and sporting infrastructure with the needs and resources of the country
6. Influence the formulation of strategies and programmes to facilitate the development and management of sports
7. Ensure that physical education and sports are made compulsory part of the school system

However, the successful organization of sports requires effective and efficient management skills and structures.

While such a responsibility lies principally with national associations and affiliates, there must be a co-ordinate effort among all stakeholders to achieve higher standards in administration and management.

Therefore, the Sports Ministry should offer fullest support to strengthen the administrative capacity of the national sporting bodies in the day-to-day administration of sports.

There should also be a continuous effort aimed at developing and strengthening the club structure.

At the same time, national sporting bodies and affiliates must strengthen their financial management and accountability systems and the government should develop a mechanism to monitor the effective management of sporting bodies.

Finance and sponsorship

The costs associated with sports continue to hinder its development and serves to discourage widespread participation.

Therefore, it may be a good idea that incentives for encouraging greater financial assistance for sports must be offered to the private sector. Additionally, three other points could be considered:

1. The allocation of resources for sports should be prioritized.

2. National sporting bodies and affiliates will undertake fund-raising programmes which will contribute to the financing of their activities.

3. Sporting disciplines be identified and developed as viable economic opportunities.

It is necessary to ensure that there is more effective communication between all stake-holders particularly between the ministry and national sporting bodies. Particularly, the ministry should be in constant touch with national sporting bodies and must develop a game plan for the development of their respective discipline.

Sporting activities should also be organized that allow for mass participation of the public and that contribute to the sustenance of our traditional sports.

Training and development

In the case of the training and development in the sports sector, the ministry must establish a programme for the provision of technical support for approved national sporting bodies on an agreed criterion.

And, where necessary, scholarships must be provided for sports persons to allow for exposure at a higher level of performance and to encourage professional development through education. Training must be provided for officials to enhance their capacity to officiate and administer sporting activities.

Specific attention must be given to acquiring and developing resource material such as manuals, coaching kits and electronic aids, which will assist in improving knowledge and advancing the technical skills of sport persons.

Big task

It will take herculean efforts to develop sports culture in Sri Lanka. We are not and we were never a truly sporting nation.

But things are changing and the world has come closer. As we are competing with the developed nations on economic and scientific fronts we must also be ready to compete with the best in sports.

The approach to development of sports excellence has to be bottom up and not the other way round. In Sri Lanka we are looking for instant success, which is not possible in sports. If we want to be really at the top in world sports then the only way is to encourage more and more young people take up some sport. When millions are on the ground we will have a few hundred champions.