Anything But Sports from today
Even as this first feature of this new Sports column, Anything but Sports goes to Press, we would be on the verge of a new Presidency, with or without the ambiguity that beset the previous government. It will thus be an opportunity for the affable Minister of Sports ( MOS) to demonstrate that he brooks no-nonsense in the composition of sports delegations that venture abroad for various events, notably international competitions.
The South Asian Games ( SAG) thus gains major precedence, as it is the most important event in our Sports Calendar, for the mere fact that it is slap bang in our region and if we cannot compete effectively in this arena, then anything beyond becomes a pipe dream. Thus a well-coordinated effort between the Ministry of Sports ( MOS) and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) is critical in major events such as this. Though there is no love lost between these two major institutions, it appears praiseworthy that at least on the surface, things look hunky- dory with the NOC of Sri Lanka playing a critical role in coordination with the host nation; the 13th SAG organisation is primarily in the hands of the Nepalese NOC.
As the dates get closer with the games scheduled to begin ceremoniously on the 01 Dec and go on for 10 days, the tempo is heating in the precincts of Reid Avenue, where newspaper reports suggest as it happens repeatedly, that official delegations and numbers appear to overshadow the role and presence of the main tour-de-force, the athletes! There is no doubt that this is a large contingent and officials are required for multiple purposes, notably logistics and supplies, all of which depend on external resources. However, if such tasks are delegated to National Associations and a minimum of intrusion exercised by MOS and NOC, one can assume that matters will be somewhat lighter to manage. However, what many NA’s are concerned about are the knee-jerk reactions emanating from the MOS - NOC axis, with no central authority
gainfully in place. In fact the SAG Secretariat established in close proximity would have been ideally suited to take the brunt of a cohesive effort with MOS and NOC delegates located there and working in unison. But what has transpired is that NA’s and their teams are now sent from pillar to post to sort out basic requirements, a classic preoccupation in this nation.
There is no doubt that the organisation of our national contingent is no easy task with everyone demanding their own varied and complex personal needs. At the end of the spectrum, Sri Lanka will be measured with the medals it brings and comparisons will be made with previous SAG excursions and parallel competitions. Thus a central unit working in unison is fundamental to its success.
Therefore, one is somewhat perturbed if this has been achieved. What is evident in the corridors of MOS and NOC is the clamour for seats to Nepal by all and sundry and the number of officials from the MOS itself has come up for scrutiny! With NA’s asked to trim the number of athletes for cost reasons, replacing them with Ministry officials beset by obligations within the institution, must be avoided. The flamboyant Minister encumbered with the Presidential campaign has found the time, to correctly order a committee to review the MOS numbers slotted for SAG. The Ministry Secretary heading this committee must not hesitate to balance these numbers purely on merit, something that both the top Presidential Candidates beat their chests about in the tough election run up. So this will indeed be an acid test in a country that is fervently looking for fair-play and merit based selections and appointments.
Both the MOS and the NOC must demonstrate the will to perform without fear of favour. Merely including favourites who have no substantial role to play, would be to deprive a budding athlete of a chance to prove his or her mettle in the cauldron of this regional competition. The NA’a must play their part and keep it clean with their recommendations, so that when the Sri Lankan contingent arrives in Kathmandu, our national flag will be flying high and all those who walk behind it, will be united in purpose and spirit. It would mean we brought the best team, we can, to go for glory at SAG!