Political interference and patronage in the selection of sports teams for overseas competition could be a thing of the past with Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe pushing for a new sports law where Ministerial approval will not be necessary.
This was the welcome news conveyed to Suresh Subramaniam, president of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka at a felicitation for the medalists at the Commonwealth Games at Temple Trees on Monday.
Traditionally, every sports team or athlete representing Sri Lanka overseas has to get the green light from the Minister of Sports. This has created an uncertain atmosphere with disgruntled parties – athletes and officials – not selected making separate representations to the Minister.
“There will be no ministerial interference in the future if this new law sees the light of day. It will be then left to the experts, those involved in the sports, to pick teams based on merit and form,” said an elated Subramaniam.
“The Minister of Sports (Faiszer Musthapha) made a suggestion to the Prime Minister (at the felicitation) and the PM endorsed that the Sports Ministry should never be involved in selection and said steps would be taken to change the Sports lLw”, Subramaniam disclosed.
“In fact, a draft bill was made back in 2002 or 2003 to change this law but unfortunately it could not be implemented as the government changed.
The draft was written by a team of sports experts headed by Jagath Fernando and I remember it well as I also contributed to it,” Subramaniam said.
With Faiszer Musthapha retaining the portfolio of Sports Ministry in this week’s Cabinet reshuffle, all eyes will be on him as he takes steps to amend the Sports Law.