[Chairman-SriLankaAntiDopingAgency(SLADA)]

Iam not involved in any kind of sports administration. I was Director General of the Institute of Sports Medicine for a short period, and now I am the Chairman of the SLADA. This post has helped me be in close contact with several NSAs in the country. It is the responsibility of the Government and the Sports Ministry to provide all facilities including playgrounds and medicine, to the sportsmen and sportswomen. The NSAs should look into the wellbeing of the Athletes and provide the necessary training and techniques. But, I see most of the NSAs are not performing their task properly. These NSAs are more keen looking into their welfare, instead of helping the Athletes to develop. In addition, they are also more interested in foreign tours and expect positions at international level. They are not bothered at all about the Sport. The Sports Ministry has requested all NSAs to hold their 2017 AGMs and elections before May 31. We have more than 4 months for the elections. But, I already see some of the NSA officials have started their election campaigns. This is like the politicians getting ready for the General Elections. I see these officials who are performing a honorary service, are prepared to spend huge sums of money on these elections. In addition, the affiliated Clubs and Associations are provided with many privileges to garner their valuable vote and retain their positions. Today, elections of most NSAs are held under police supervision. I can remember one particular association, some time back, held its AGM in a high security zone. The main reason for the decline of Sports in the country is because their is no proper coordination between the Schools Associations, District Associations and NSAs. I see Football has taken a backseat in the recent past, more than any other sports in this country. Some time back, we provided assistance to the Maldives to improve in the game, and today, they are in a position to beat us at the highest level. Our Football administrators should be ashamed of themselves, losing to the Maldives, a country with a population of 300,000. The current set of Football administrators are having more discussions on how to retain their positions, instead of looking into the development of the sport. We won the South Asian Football Championship in 1995, but I don't think we will be able to repeat that performance at any time. My view is that, only those who have experience in having represented the country in their respective sport at the highest level, should be elected for these top positions, except for the Treasurer. But more importantly, they should have a love for the sport. I think these elections should be conducted every 4 years, instead of every 2 years. Then at least they will work for 3 years and think about their re-election to the post in the 4th year. I know certain NSAs do not even support their own affiliated Clubs or Districts. I can remember some Karatekas contributed financially and got down a foreign Karate coach to Sri Lanka. With this situation, I wonder why do we want to have officials in NSAs. Some NSAs receive foreign scholarships for Athletes and Coaches. But the corrupt officials of these NSAs are reluctant to provide these scholarships to the Athletes and the Coaches. But, if they receive an administration scholarship they will gladly accept the offer to participate. I see there is a mania for foreign tours among the officials of most of the NSAs.