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| Sunday, 4 December 2005 |
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Sports |  |
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Straight Talk by Lal Gunesekera President Rajapakse must get amendment withdrawn What interest does the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka have on the Chairmanship of the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority (SNSCA)? The appointment of Gamini Netticumara, the well-known businessman of Salaka fame, was made by his good buddy - the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Jeevan Kumaratunga, in June 2004 and he has since "turned things around" at the SNSCA. However, there seems to be certain persons with vested interest trying their uttermost to get Netticumara removed from the post. The controversial Secretary of the NOC, Cmdr (rtd) H. U. Silva and its Treasurer, Brigadier (rtd) Palitha Fernando, had met President Mahinda Rajapakse last Monday (November 28) in this regard, but were unsuccessful. I reliably understand that President Rajapakse had turned down the request of the NOC duo to remove Netticumara. He had told them that he cannot do anything about it and that he has more important matters to attend to. Do you know who was eying the top slot at the SNSCA and why? Well, it was Brigadier (rtd) Palitha Fernando himself, Perhaps he thought that "working together" with President Rajapakse when he was the President of the Sri Lanka Athletic Association (SLAA) sometime back, would have been a qualification to get a favour done. What are the other reasons? The NOC have been paying only Rs. 5,000 per month as rent for their headquarter's within the SNSCA without paying a "red cent" for electricity and water consumed. The Government Valuation Department has suggested a rent of Rs. 75,000 per month to be charged from the NOC by the SNSCA. Now do you get it? The NOC seems to be having their own agenda. They somehow or other fed wrong information to Minister Kumaratunga and got him to change Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 to help the two charmeleons, Hemasiri Fernando and Cmdr (rtd) H. U. Silva, to continue in office as President and Secretary respectively for a third four-year term and also to remain in the Executive Committee as long as they are in any committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It may even be for 'life' that's what this amendment implies now. It's very dangerous. President Rajapakse himself was against this controversial amendment and let his thoughts be known to Minister Kumaratunga, who went ahead with it. Now it's left for President Rajapakse himself to undo the damage and get this amendment withdrawn or do it himself. Every sports loving person is awaiting for President Rajapakse's decision on this matter. Meanwhile, the Presidential Investigation Unit (PIU) has received all documents and evidence needed and are proceeding with their inquiry against the NOC, including that of financial mismanagement. Even allegations made against certain top notchers of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports are to be probed by the PIU. I also understand that the co-ordinating representative for NOC's in the IOC in Geneva, Switzerland too has been kept informed about the affairs of the NOC of Sri Lanka. Draft accounts How did the membership of the NOC approve a draft audited statement of accounts for 2004 at the last so-called annual general meeting held on November 14? This draft shows a balance sheet of Rs. 13 million as total assets and liabilities and a loss totalling Rs. 1 million 300,000, and a sum of Rs. 4 million in fixed deposits, treasury bills etc. Only the accounts for 2001, 2002 and 2003 shows that it has been audited by Cartor and De Costa. Ranugge's exit The Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, S. Ranugge, has been sent to the Ministry of Science and Technology headed by Professor Tissa Vitharane. This Secretary, who was involved in many controversial affairs, including close liaison with NOC officials, had a farewell party too last Thursday at the Ministry - the day he relinquished office. Justice my foot! What is happening to the complaint made to the Child and Women's Bureau of the Police by the Deputy Directress of the SNSCA, a couple of months back against the Director of the SNSCA, Cmdr (rtd) Silva? He is alleged to have used foul language and abused the fair lady and even threatened her in the presence of subordinates. Most probably, Cmdr Silva was "mad" at the Deputy Directress for deducting rent, electricity and water charges from his salary since March as required by the Establishment Code. I understand that two Police officers of this particular Bureau have close links to Cmdr Silva and one of them is in the Interim Committee of Kabaddi. There is more on Cmdr (rtd) H. U. Silva. On the same night that President Rajapakse turned down the request to have Netticumara removed, Cmdr Silva is alleged to have lambasted and threatened the Secretary of the SLFP Union of the SNSCA for hoisting a banner offering congratulations to President Rajapakse on his election victory. The President of this Union had then got Cmdr Silva to apologise to the person concerned. Cmdr Silva has even lambasted the Private Secretary to Minister Kumaratunga, who happens to be the Chairman of the National Sports Council, Saman Amarasinghe, on the telephone, saying that his (Amarasinghe's) appointment has not been confirmed. I would like to pose one question to the Chairman of the SNSCA, Gamini Netticumara. Why are you tolerating this type of indiscipline from one of your senior employees? Cover up At a hurriedly convened meeting of the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL) after my exposure last week (Why AGSEP?), it was decided that entry fees for the Junior Nationals be received by the TTASL. However, I also understand, that these monies are to be handed over to the AGSEP to conduct the Junior Nationals. How's that manouvering? The Department of Sports Development of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports have also called for an explanation from the TTASL on this matter. Readers duped It's no surprise that anything goes in the sports world - the good, the bad and the ugly. A former cricket boss has duped the readers of an English sports magazine to be his own concept, whereas it was some other person's brain child. Crooks shine in the sun thus far and no further as the saying goes, where truth and justice will prevail over all evil in the end. This individual will eventually discover that "bad things no good" and is sure to be rejected. This magazine is all about singing hosannas only and the real truth will be known soon and it wouldn't be for powder puffs. 91 competitors for Melbourne A total of 91 competitors and 29 officials are in the provisional entry list for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Melbourne, Australia next march. They represent nine sports - Athletics, Swimming, Badminton, Rugby, Squash, Rifle Shooting, Table Tennis, Weight lifting and Boxing. I wonder how many medals we will win in the end. Seventy-two countries are to participate in 28 sports. Sri Lanka must be represented no doubt, but surely, they must not be sent for the sake of being represented. It's going to be a jaunt for our sportsmen and women ( not forgetting the officials who accompany them ). I don't think that any person will even get close to winning a medal. It's an absolute waste of money, although they are to be sponsored. Reconstruction starts The reconstruction of the Galle International Cricket Stadium which was devastated by the Boxing Day Tsunami has got under way. The damage was estimated at Rs. 110 million, but Rs. 300 million is now needed not only for its reconstruction, but also for further development purposes, including facilities for day / night matches, seating capacity for 25,000 spectaters etc. and is to be completed within a year. The Welagedera stadium in Kurunegala too is being upgraded with Rs 25 million being pumped into it by the National Development Committee of SLC. This includes new pavilions, scoreboard, sight screens, media enclosures etc. with work getting under way last Thursday. Its sheer bunkum The reason given for the promotion of four clubs to play in the premier Division for 2005-6 is pure bunkum. Earlier, many felt that even the 16 teams in the premier league was too much and with the promotion of these four clubs ( Baduraliya, Ambalangoda, Saracens and Lankan CC ) it makes it 20. However, SLC, states that taking into consideration from all stake holders and the Cricket Committee, SLC, decided that the number of teams for the 2006-7 season be reducted to 14 and then to 12 for the 2007-8 season. They (SLC) goes onto state that the dramatic reduction of the number of teams, is expected to improve the quality of cricket and the standard of the tournament. SLC's excuse for the promotion is the Boxing Day tsunami and the inability to complete the semi-finals of the Sara Trophy tournament. How funny! Why get nomination? Veteran athlete and administrator, Ranjith Weerasena, once again withdrew his nomination for the post of President of Sri Lanka Athletic Association (SLAA) at the last moment, at a special general meeting to elect its chief. This is the third occasion that Weerasena has withdrawn his nomination in recent times. He was President of the SLAA on five previous occasions and even headed the NOC too. What I just cannot apprehend is the purpose behind Weerasena getting
himself nominated, only to withdraw from the race at the last moment? |
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