A four member Committee that probed the conduct of officials in the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Sports Ministry in the run-up and during last December’s South Asian Games in Nepal fear that its Report will be swept under the carpet and end up in the where-are-they-now files like it is with most affairs in the country.
The Report concerning the state of Olympic sports in the country was made public only after the Sunday Observer exclusively reported how millions of rupees were busted on some useless or unheard of sporting event at the South Asian Games as well as the fixing of a cycling event and boxers being replaced without proper sanction among numerous misdeeds.
The Probe Committee had recommended that a thorough investigation be done by a further Independent body and action taken against officials of both the NOC and Ministry responsible for what is been said to be their appalling conduct.
“Yes definitely there is a fear that the Report and revelations will be swept under the carpet like it has happened in the past. We did this in good faith as sportsmen for the sake of the future of Sri Lanka sports,” said Gregory de Silva a highly respected sports expert and former Long and Triple Jump record holder who headed the Probe Committee.
The South Asian Games apart from medals won in track and field sports and swimming was a complete disaster unlike any other in the past while the Report also revealed friction between officials of the NOC and Sports Ministry that added to the tragedy at the Games. Sports Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, whom the media sees as a genuine politician unlike some of his predecessors who were excellent at mere bunkum talk, ordered the probe.
De Silva and his team that probed the debacle have recommended that those found guilty be brought to justice and held accountable.
“We want the NOC and Sports Ministry officials responsible for what had happened to be punished for their role.
“The culprits can only be found by appointing and independent committee that can look into our Report and what we have found out in the course of our investigations,” said De Silva.
He said their Report, that sets guidelines for the future of Sri Lankan Olympic sports, had raised what he called “12 serious points” that needed to be inquired into.
As much as Rs. 124 million had been spent on air fares and hotel accommodation for the Sri Lankan contingent at the Games that included dozens of officials some of whom were not worth their salt but made the trip as joy riders for personal enrichment.
Sports like football, handball and another known as kho kho had incurred the government a loss of Rs.30 million for nothing proper in return while badminton and women’s volleyball and basketball were separate disasters.