IOC warns Sports Minister in exercising his power

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has warned the Sports Minister not to exercise his powers under the existing Sports Law until it is revised as ‘it goes against the basic principle of “responsible autonomy’ of the Olympic Movement’

The warning comes in the wake of the Sports Minister’s decision to appoint interim committees to a number of National Federations ( NFs) including the Archery and Judo Federations in recent weeks citing violation of the same Sports Law.

“We respectfully reiterate our request that your Ministry work closely together with the NOCSL and the NFs to complete the revision process of the sports law and sports regulations as soon s possible and make them compatible with the basic principles which govern the Olympic Movement, and that, in the meantime, you do not make use of the power conferred to your position by the current sports law when it goes against the basic principle of ‘responsible autonomy’ of the Olympic Movement, so as to avoid any unnecessary conflict situation,” James Macledo--Director of Olympic Solidarity and NOC Relations of IOC wrote in his letter dated May 14, 2019 to the Minister of Sports Harin Fernando.

The Sports Ministry in consultation with all stakeholders including the IOC, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka ( NOCSL) and the Attor ney Generals Department amended the sports regulations removing some of the intrusive and restrictive clauses. But it has insisted that all federations including NOCSL should audit their accounts through the Government auditors.

The auditing of accounts by Government auditors is a mandatory requirement under the Sports Law for all national sports associations and all committees including the NOCSL.

Although this has often caused delays in holding annual general meetings, given the workload of the auditors, it is a useful checkand- balance in governance of these largely corrupt institutions.

Sri Lanka has agreed to revise the Sports Law and the regulations enacted therein in line with the Olympic Charter and the Statues of International Federations, following several rounds of discussions with the IOC.

The regulations underwent several rounds of amendments in keeping with the Olympic Charter but the Government is yet to complete the revision of the Sports Law.

“Unfortunately, the revision process of the sports law has not yet been finalised, and we understand from recent appointments by your Ministry of "interim committees" within NFs that, unfortunately, undue interference continues to be exercised, which cannot be accepted by the IFs concerned in view of the fundamental principle of · responsible autonomy" of sports organisations which applies within the Olympic Movement( as further explained in the reference document - attached - established by the IOC and all its partners, as a result of the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020),” the letter further states.