Laws to clean up local sports bodies
Parliament this week approved new regulations intended to clean up local Sports bodies, but did not suffice to de-politicise the highly politicised Sports sphere.
While both Government and Opposition MPs welcomed the new regulations, during two days of debate, many Opposition legislators expressed concerns about the politicisation of Sports bodies, which has resulted in the loss of public confidence in them.
Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage introducing the regulations, said they have been framed after much discussion, and are the most far reaching since the Sports Act was enacted nearly 40 years ago.
The regulations place heavy restrictions on eligibility for membership in Sports bodies in the future.
Those no longer eligible to contest for positions in National Sports Associations include those directly or indirectly involved in the business of gaming, convicted by a court for any offence and imprisoned for more than six
months, professional Minister Aluthgamage said he favoured banning politicians from contesting for positions in Sports bodies as well, but he is bound by a Supreme Court ruling which said, legislators should not be banned from contesting for such positions. journalists or media group owners, parents or family members of players in national pools, players’ agents or managers of sportspersons, non-nationals and those involved in the manufacture, assembly, production, sale or distribution of sports items.
Minister Aluthgamage said he favoured banning politicians from contesting for positions in Sports bodies as well, but he is bound by a Supreme Court ruling which said, legislators should not be banned from contesting for such positions. The Supreme Court ruling came after MP Arjuna Ranatunga challenged the rules made by a former Sports Minister in 2002, that barred legislators from contesting for office in national Sports bodies.
“I am in favour of banning politicians from holding such posts, and have asked my Ministry officials to consult with the Attorney General, to see if we can overcome the impediment placed by the court ruling,” the Minister said.
The new regulations will increase the term of office in a Sports association from one year to two years. “In most countries, Sports bodies are given a fouryear term, so that, they have sufficient time to implement new projects. However, here, it was decided to restrict each term to two years, with a person able to contest two successive terms in office,” Minister Aluthgamage explained.
UNP Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella was among those who raised concerns about the regulations not going far enough to deal with political interferences in Sports. He referred to the recent decision to appoint cricketer turned politician Sanath Jayasuirya MP as Sri Lanka Cricket’s Selection Board Chairman. “Sports personnel, usually, are appointed to a selection committee about 20 years after their retirement from the game, but Sanath Jayasuriya played cricket along with Kumara Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. This situation is unhealthy, and can lead to unnecessary problems, especially if they try to settle old scores,” Mr. Kiriella said.
DNA MP Sunil Handunnetti welcoming the regulations, also spoke on politicisation of Sports in the country. “Politicians are joining the sports field in the country, that is the main problem,” he said.
Some of the Sports personnel also came in for criticism from MPs. UPFA MP Shantha Bandara said that sports men and women who compete at national level, should be mindful of their responsibilities and obligations towards the country, and not think only of money.