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| Sunday, 8 May 2005 |
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Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Straight talk by Lal Gunesekera Foreign funding for FFSL - no one answerable! The hierarchy of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, including Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga and Secretary S. Rannuge, seem to be satisfied with the manner any controlling body runs its affairs if only they do not pester the Ministry for any sort of financial assistance. Even if questions are raised about the affairs of these bodies, the Ministry turns a blind eye. Take for example the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL). They have been given a 'clean bill of health' by both Minister Kumaratunga and Secretary Rannuge, who have commented that controlling bodies should take the FFSL as an example and run these establishments smoothly. What a comment to make? The FFSL has come in for quite a lot of criticism in the recent past in the way it is run and mainly about its finances. It seems as if the "God Father" of soccer in this country, has found favour even with the present lot at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, like in the past with previous administrations, whatever government is in power. What are the reasons behind this sad state of affairs? I am certain you can guess why the FFSL is not "touched" or their finances probed by those in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. You need not be an astrologer to know the reasons. It's the same where the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka is concerned. The President and Secretary are both ex-officers of the Sri Lanka Navy, and conduct the affairs of the NOC as if its their own private kingdom. There is a lot of money and perks that go with it if you hold office in the NOC-money mainly through the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and overseas trips to boot (all found) which is used to win over persons with authority. What about the FFSL? Millions of dollars have come their way (and it continues) from both the FIFA and AFC without any questions been raised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, despite the questions raised by various individuals. One of the FFSL critics was the late Edward Wickremasuriya, who criticised the FFSL fearlessly. The way he died is yet a mystery with the Police making no headway in their inquiries into the tragic "hit and run" accident a few months back. What I just cannot understand is the reasoning for the Rs. 320 million given to the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports between 2003 and 2004, and why the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) who had the second largest haul of medals at the South Asian Games denied of financial assistance? Returning to the NOC, what about their annual general meeting? When is it going to be held? It has to be held before May 31 and I understand that the NOC are working hand in glove with a senior official of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to amend their constitution even at this stage which will ultimately pave the way for those unscrupulous officials heading the NOC to hold office for yet another four-year term. They have already been in office for two terms. Remember the Sidath Sri Nandalochana committee appointed by the then Minister of Sports, Lakshman Kiriella, during the PA government in 2000? This report was handed over (must be gathering plenty of dust by now) and one of its recommendations was that monies coming from overseas to local controlling bodies be channelled through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, who in turn could hand it over to the controlling body concerned. This committee even suggested a fine or term of imprisonment for failure to inform the Secretary of the Sports Ministry of any foreign remittances. This committee had received several complaints about the FFSL and its finances. So, why not implement these recommendations Mr.Minister and put a halt to these serious allegations made by authoritative persons about "financial misappropriation" by controlling bodies. Why not probe the accounts of both the FFSL and NOC? I am sure that a can of worms will be opened and spill over. Appointments approved? Are the appointments of the Director and managers at the Sugathadasa Stadium approved by the Sugathadasa Stadium National Sports Complex Authority (SSNSCA), and has Cabinet approval been received to employ its Director who is a retired public servant? The Director has his own quarters within the complex and his electricity, water and telephone bills are paid by the SSNSCA and even the salaries of his domestic aids paid too. What a cushy life he enjoys with a liquor bar to boot within the premises. This individual is also alleged to have abused a Treasury representative, who happens to be a member of the fair sex, who was on her way to attend a Board meeting of the SSNSCA. She had made a complaint and a show cause letter had been issued to the person concerned. I wonder what will come out of the whole affair. Will it be a "cover up" as this individual is a person with political clout. Malfunctioning from day 1 The electronic scoreboard at the Sugathadasa Stadium which records the timings of athletes and even visuals has not been functioning from the day it was installed during the tenure of Johnston Fernando, who was the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, in the UNF government. It is of German manufacture and I understand that it is not suitable for climatic conditions in Sri Lanka. Who was responsible for getting it down in the first place and was their any "commission" involved in the deal? Another Interim Committee Another Interim Committee, this time for Karate, has been appointed by Minister Kumaratunga. It's reported that the annual general meeting of the Karate body held in March was unconstitutional as nominations were not sent to the membership 30 days before the AGM and also that the annual report and accounts not circulated. Three months have been given to rectify these short comings and conduct the AGM again in a proper manner. Also, during the tenure of Johnston Fernando, a building was found in Borella as head quarter's for the Karate body, but it has been closed for quite sometime now as they (the Karate body) are unable to pay the rent. I also understand that Interim Committees are also to be appointed for Wushu and Judo too. Already, Interim Committees are in operation for Cycling, Wrestling, Taekwondo, and of course, Cricket. Rugby Jokes After two months since the annual general meeting of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), one bright spark has suddenly discovered at the Council meeting in April that the minutes of this particular AGM states that the auditored statement of accounts were proposed and seconded by two former Presidents, who had only observer status at the AGM. Now, they (the SLRFU) have called for a special general meeting at the end of this month (May) to rectify this "blunder". It should be recalled that the accounts were presented only at the AGM,millions of rupees not accounted for and no protem Chairman appointed when the election of office-bearers got under way. |
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