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by Lal Gunesekera

What's the delay of NSC member drafting letter to Sports Minister?

The National Sports Council (NSC) seems to be either lethargic of scared to make their thoughts known to the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Jeevan Kumaratunge, who took an unilateral decision (perhaps misled by certain interested parties) to amend the Sports Law No. 25 of 1975 without consulting the NSC, which is a 14-member advisory body headed by the Minister's confidante, Saman Amarasinghe.

The NSC met in emergency session about two weeks back and decided to write to Minister Kumaratunga expressing their disappointment on not been even consulted on this matter, leave alone requesting their opinion. They (the NSC) were against the amendment right from the start and their thoughts were well known.

The letter to Minister Kumaratunga from the NSC has neither been sent or even drafted by one of the NSC members who was requested to do so. Why? Is it because this individual is also an advisor to the Minister?

NSC chief Saman Amarasinghe is now mum about the entire episode and was reluctant to speak about it. Are they back tracking? Certain respected members of the NSC are surprised about the whole affair and wonder what purpose it serves in having such an advisory body if the Minister does not consult it on a vital issue like amending the Sports Law which benefits only a couple of individuals of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka.

The NSC even contemplated resigning immediately on hearing "the news" of Minister Kumaratunga's unilateral decision, but decided instead to write to the Minister and make their observations known. They are dissatisfied in the manner the Minister takes unilateral decisions. If the Minister does not seek their advice, its high time that they (the NSC) resign ad-hoc.

A letter was even sent to President Chandrika Kumaratunga October 9 by a group of persons who have not made known their identities due to "obvious reasons". They have given details about the NOC, high ranking personnel of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and financial mismanagement. They requested President Kumaratunga to conduct an immediate and impartial inquiry into this sad state of affairs prevailing in the NOC and the Ministry.

President Kumaratunga was away in the United Kingdom and returned to the island only last Tuesday (October 18) morning, and has yet to take a decision, although she is likely to appoint an independent panel to investigate the affair.

However, Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga, can even now withdraw this particular amendment by gazette notification again.

Right to hire and fire

Who has the right to hire and fire national coaches? It certainly is the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Jeevan Kumaratunga, and no one else. But the recently appointed Interim Committee headed by DIG Sirisena Herath of the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) has thought it fit to terminate the services of E. G. Wilson the national swimming coach in a letter signed by Sam P. Wickremasinghe, Secretary of the Interim Committee on October 4. It does not give any reasons for Wilson's removal, but states that they will be calling for fresh applications for the post.

Wilson was appointed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports from August 1, 2003 and letter to this effect was signed by the Director-General of Sports at the Ministry, Milton Amarasinghe.

Wilson's job can only be terminated by the Ministry and not (I repeat, not) by the Interim Committee of SLASU. However, they could have adviced the Minister to remove Wilson, but in this instant, it did not happen.

I now understand that two individuals (Julien Bolling and one Manoj Abeysinghe) are making a bid for the national coach's post. No doubt Bolling was a superb swimmer, but what qualification does he possess to be the national coach? Also, what are the credentials of Abeysinghe to hold this post?

Abeysinghe's credentials (or what he says) could easily be checked with the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) and even US Swimming (USS).

Objections from parents

Parents of certain swimmers have protested to the Chairman of SLASU's Interim Committee, DIG Sirisena Herath, about the participation of non Sri Lankans competing at the National Swimming Championships which got underway on Thursday (October 20).

Earlier there was no such regulation and non Sri Lankans competed and won. From recent times, points were awarded to gain university entrance from sports activities.

If these non Sri Lankans win, these parents request a separate certificate be given to them as it is unfair to deprive the local swimmers of the glory. The letter states: A place at the Nationals is important as a swimmer with a first place at the meet will gain extra points to enter the University. Only those coming first are awarded Sri Lanka schools colours and only a national rank would be considered for obtaining and maintaining a scholarship at prestigious schools. They train throughout the year to obtain the above benefits.

In these circumstances, these parents request the Interim Committee of SLASU to consider the performances of Sri Lankan citizens separately when awarding certificates to the first three non Sri Lankans to be awarded separate certificates. Only Sri Lankan citizens can represent the country at any international meet, be it South Asian games or any other meet.

I fully agree with these comments made and hope that the Interim Committee too does the same.

Derwin gets another shy

Deputy Director of Sports at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Derwin Perera, gets another opportunity to head the Sri Lanka Athletic Association (SLAA) who have been in instructed by the Ministry to conduct a special general meeting on November 30 for this purpose after the resignation of the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Janaka Bandara Tennekoon.

At the annual general meeting in March, Minister Tennekoon beat Derwin Perera by a couple of votes and the latter even went to courts charging that Janaka Bandara Tennekoon won in a rigged poll. I understand that only Derwin Perera is set to send in his nomination on November 11 and that he has managed to get the support of all factions.

However it is disappointing to note certain comments made by Derwin Perera to the effect that he will remove Lakshman de Alwis from the post of national coach once he (Perera) is elected. I reiterate the position that only the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports can remove a national coach from his post.

Rumesh unaware

Former Sri Lanka placeman Rumesh Ratnayake, who is presently attached to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), had discussions with the Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), to be assistant coach to Tom Moody the Australian. He (Ratnayake) had wanted the same amount now been paid to him by the ACC, and negotiations were yet going on with SLC.

However to the utter amazement of Ratnayake, the Interim Committee of SLC, went on and appointed Trevor Penny from Warwickshire as Moody's assistant and also the fielding coach at a salary much higher than what Ratnayake requested from SLC.

Penny played for Warwickshire together with Tom Moody, who gets a remuneration package of Rs 15 lakhs per month plus other allowances.

Now, what on earth will happen to Ruwan Kalpage? He was Sri Lanka's fielding coach in addition to being the Computer Analyst. There will now be five officials attached to the Sri Lanka side - Manager, Coach, Assistant Coach, Computer Analyst and Physiotherapist.

Former St. Benedict's College and Colts cricketer, Kumar Ramanathan, who migrated to Australia several years back, has also been recruited by SLC to be in charge of its Provincial Coaches at a salary of Rs 4 1/2 lakhs plus various other allowances. I wonder how many Provincial Coaches are there, if any?

US dollars 2000 per month

Two employees of SLC have also been absorbed into the under-19 World Youth Cup Organising Committee and are paid a sum of US dollars 2000 per month.

Earlier, the sister-in-law of the famous (or infamous) former Tour Organising Committee member who was accused of smuggling liquor into the VIP enclosure of the Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium too was absorbed into the same committee. The Youth World Cup is to be staged in Sri Lanka next year (2006).

Absurd comment

At a Tournament Committee meeting of SLC with clubs recently, club representatives wanted to know why Super Cavalier balls are to be used in the limited-over tournament next month and not the Kookaburra type.

What was the answer given by the Chairman of the Tournament Committee, Basil Perera ? Sri Lanka players will be away on tour in India during this period and that's why we decided on the Super Cavalier. What an absurd repay.

Does not SLC think about those players who are on the fringe of representing their country? Why Should not they be given the opportunity to play with the Kookaburra which is in use in international cricket?

Taken for a ride

Is Channel Eye of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation blind? They stated that the six-day Test between Australia and the ICC World XI played in Sydney will be telecast live from 9.30 a.m.

However, it was not a live telecast as the game started much earlier in Sydney. They took the viewers for a ride.

Certainly, the One-day Internationals in Melbourne was telecast live by Channel Eye.

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