Our sports bodies must revamp

Wednesday, 29 September 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

After the embarrassment suffered by the country at the last Olympics, an urgent need has arisen to examine the official structures at our sporting bodies, especially the Olympic Committee. Very often these bodies are controlled by shady operators who will bribe or lie their way to office, promising all kinds of wonder performances.

Like all tricksters, they are good at promoting themselves while slandering their opponents. But once elected, our national athletic standards only stagnate or go down further. They concentrate on colourful events with the idea of getting political approval but it is all survival tactics. These so-called sport promotors will take all the foreign trips (at the organisation’s expense), which amount to about 10 trips a year, making business connections, pocketing the expenses. The fact that in our own country the athletic standard is so poor is no question for them; they will lecture foreign audiences!

Another damaging aspect of questionable businessmen in sports is that sporting bodies become small, dubious and lose prestige. We used to think of sports as an ideal, honest and unselfish activity. No more; it has become a mere path for people of small beginnings to acquire high status.

I suggest the following:

Olympic committee accounts must be audited by the Auditor General

The tax file no. of main officials of sporting bodies must be filed at the Auditor General and the Sports Ministry

At the time of nomination, those standing for office at the Olympic Committee must declare their expertise or previous involvement in main Olympic events like track and field, swimming, etc. Due to corruption and power of money, people from insignificant games like golf and tennis are dominating. Very few in the country are involved in these rich man’s games.

For too long we have remained silent while our athletic world is hijacked by undesirable manipulators. We must have transparency, and honest and knowledgeable athletes should be running our sports.

Ruwan Weerakone