'NOC steps up with HPU, but, where is the MOS?'

The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC) has sent the Sunday Times a right of reply in response to the column appeared last week with the headline 'NOC steps up with HPU, but where is the MOS?'. We herewith publish the right of reply sent by the NOC along with a note from the column writer.

This refers to the article which appeared in your sports section page 21 lead story under the headline ‘ NOC steps up with HPU, but, where is the MOS?’ (Anything but Sports by Tee Gee).

This article is well compiled and it seems that the author has a great command of the Queen’s language. Yet, it also contains some discerning facts which may give a completely different perspective to the whole exercise that we are striving to achieve through this futuristic programme and we reiterate that we are in no competition with any organisation – governmental or otherwise.

For instance, every institution has its own goals and work ethics and they may differ one to the other. As far as the Crysbro-NOC SL Next Champ Programme is concerned we have made a detailed research for the past nine months or more and arrived at a programme that had addressed the crying need of the hour – Olympic medals. At the same time we also hope that the respective National Federations beef- up their marketing arms, venture into schemes that uplift its image.

On the part of the Ministry of Sports, they have spent a huge sum of money on the South Asian Games and Training and the same is being continued present with regard to the Sanya Beach Games 2020 to be held in China in 2021.

At this point we stress that the Olympic Committee, the National Federations and the Ministry of Sports are the three pillars that the entire spectrum of sports is held aloft. If any of the three pillars are to collapse, the entire sports field in this country will be at peril. As a result, we also beg to mention that the responsibility of the fourth estate is also to uphold these values – if not the ultimate losers will be the sportsmen and women of this country.

So, as a responsible sports organisation, the National Olympic Committee will strive to uphold its values and co- habitation alike.