Sports
A Request to Chairman of National Sports Council
A Request to Chairman of National Sports Council Mr. Mahela Jayawardene, and to its members, especially Mr. Kumar Sangakkara.
Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam. Ph.D. (Cornell)
Olympian 1952 and 1956.
Gold Medalist 1958 Asian Games, Tokyo.
My appreciation to Mr. Sangakkara for addressing, in his interview with Rex Clementine in the Island newspaper of August 22, 2020, the need to update the Sports Law of 1973 and its subsequent amendments. Though there are many sections that needed to be updated, I would like to specifically address two that need to be included or updated. I am making my observations and recommendation to improve the sports associations’ noble efforts in the spirit of the Olympic Games and not as a criticism.
They are:
1. Specify new requirements for registration of any Olympic Sport to be formed as a National Sports Association in addition to the current requirement.
2. Specify new requirements for any National Sports Association that wants to be affiliated to the corresponding International Association and the National Olympic Committee (NOC), in addition to the current requirement.
There are, as of end of 2019, thirteen (13) Olympic Sports Associations or Federations affiliated to the NOC Sri Lanka. Out of them Cricket, Athletics, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball have functioning District Associations in all, or a majority, of the 25 Districts in Sri Lanka. The other registered National Sports Associations affiliated to the NOC are not as well registered in Districts across the country. This assessment is by personal observation. None of the associations have indicated in their websites the number of District Associations, their membership, or whether the District associations are represented in their Council. Such information should be published.
The rational for my suggestion of item 1 and 2 is based on the Spirit of the Olympic Games and Olympism, Vision and Mission that were adopted by the NOC SL (See Constitution of NOC SL adopted 04-01-2018)
“Olympism is a philosophy of life which places sport at the service of humanity. This philosophy is based on the interaction of the qualities of the body, will and mind. Olympism is expressed through actions which link sport to culture and education.”
Vision
Contribute to the building of a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practices without discrimination of any form whatsoever and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.
Mission
Develop, promote and protect the Olympic movement in Sri Lanka, in accordance with the Olympic Charter”. “Also committed to propagate Sports in Sri Lanka and thereby to achieve unity and brotherhood among the different communities living in Sri Lanka and to promote sportsmanship and healthy competition in the World Sports Arena.
Except for the Associations or Federations mentioned above none of the others are abiding by the spirit of Olympism or the NOC’s Vision and Mission. In most of such associations they do not abide by their Mission, Vision and Aim as stated in their websites.
The rationale for Items 1 and 2 above is based on observation of the activities of the National Sports Associations. For example, Soccer, Cricket, Athletics have functioning District Associations and have also spread their sport activities to most schools in almost all of the 25 Districts in Sri Lanka.
Many of the National Associations that are affiliated currently as members of the National Olympic Committee are not active in more than 3 – 5 Districts. Examples are Tennis, Golf, Archery, Rowing, Aquatic Sports, Yacht Association of Sri Lanka (YASL). Such organisations however represent Sri Lanka, at the expense of funds allocated by the Sports Ministry, because of their affiliation to the NOC and International Associations of their respective sports.
International Associations, except the ICC, do not have or have not published established criteria of representation a country should require to represent and to be affiliated to the International Association beyond the legal requirement to register an organisation within a country. It is therefore important for the Sports Law to address the issue. National Sports Council can examine the problem and make amendments to the Sports Law to ensure that the National Sports Associations and Federations adhere to Olympism and the Vision and Mission of the NOC. The NOC Constitution has provisions to consider and make amendments in its Annual General Assembly.
It is important to require all of the NOC affiliates to establish District Associations to increase the pool of events Participants and Officials in their sport. Such a spread will improve performance and number of performers in their sports in local and international competitions. Such a spread will also give the youths in all of Sri Lanka equal opportunities to achieve their potential.
National Sports Associations and Federations may not have the financial resources to establish District Associations in all 25 Districts. To start with the Sports Ministry and the Mercantile sector can help Olympic Sports Associations in at least 13 Districts first and then increase to at least one each year.
An Association of any sport should not be accredited as a National Sports Association for membership in its corresponding International Association if it cannot give a chance to citizens in all or at least most of the Districts in Sri Lanka to be selected for a National Team.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has removed Nazmul Islam as chairman of the board’s finance committee, following the CWAB’s player boycott of cricket in country until he resigns from his position.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to inform that, following a review of recent developments and in the best interest of the organisation, the BCB President has decided to release Mr. Najmul Islam from his responsibilities as Chairman of the Finance Committee with immediate effect,” the BCB said in a statement.
“The decision has been taken in accordance with the authority vested in the BCB President under Article 31 of the BCB Constitution and is aimed at ensuring the continued smooth and effective functioning of the Board’s affairs. Until further notice, the BCB President will assume the role of Acting Chairman of the Finance Committee.
“The BCB reiterates that the interests of the cricketers remain its highest priority. The Board remains fully committed to upholding the honour and dignity of all players under its jurisdiction.
“In this regard, the BCB hopes that all cricketers will continue to display the highest standards of professionalism and dedication to the betterment of Bangladesh cricket during what is a challenging period for the game, and will do their utmost to ensure continued participation in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).”
Both BPL matches on Thursday – the first between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express, and the second between Rajshahi Warriors and Sylhet Titans – have been postponed due to the player boycott.
Even though there seemed to be movement on the issues – the BCB agreed to the player body CWAB’s demands and removed Nazmul Islam from his position as head of the board’s finance committee – but it came too late in the day for the matches to go ahead as scheduled. There was no confirmation yet whether the boycott would be called off or not, and whether the BPL matches on Friday would also be impacted.
[Cricinfo]
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has issued a show cause notice to its director M Nazmul Islam over his “objectionable comments” in public against the country’s cricketers on Wednesday.
The notice came a couple of hours before the scheduled start of the BPL matches for the day, though the players’ body CWAB has called for a nationwide boycott on all forms of cricket unless Islam tenders his resignation.
The four first-division matches in the Dhaka Cricket League scheduled for the day didn’t start on Thursday morning, which caused serious concern in the BCB. ESPNcricinfo has learned that the Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express players, who were supposed to play the first BPL match on Thursday, are sticking to the boycott.
“The board has already initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against the board member concerned,” the BCB statement read. “A show cause letter has been issued, and the individual has been instructed to submit a written response within 48 hours. The matter will be dealt with through due process and appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the proceedings.”
ESPNcricinfo understands that some board directors contacted the CWAB president Mohammad Mithun late on Wednesday night, offering that they would make Nazmul stand down from his role as the finance committee chairman. But Mithun said the cricketers’ call for the boycott remained in place.
The toss of the first BPL match on Thursday is at 12.30 pm local time. Once the start time for the match has passed, the CWAB leaders are supposed to hold a press conference, where they will present the BCB with their demands, including the resignation of the director.
[Cricinfo]
Sadio Mane fired Senegal into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over seven-time winners Egypt.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year broke the deadlock in the 78th minute on Wednesday when he let fly from just outside the penalty area inside the bottom left corner after Lamine Camara’s initial effort was blocked.
It sparked joy and relief among the Teranga Lions’ fans in Tangier, where the 2021 champions – after beating Egypt in the final – had taken the initiative but struggled to create clear chances against the Pharaohs’ stubborn defence.
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly will miss the title match – against either host Morocco or Nigeria, who were to play in Rabat later on Wednesday – after picking up a yellow card that meant a suspension and then going off injured in the 23rd minute.
Koulibaly was booked in the 17th for a tactical foul on Omar Marmoush. The captain was also sent off in the group-stage win over Benin and consequently missed the win over Sudan. His tournament was effectively ended when he had to be replaced by Mamadou Sarr because of injury.
Nicolas Jackson had fired over just before Senegal displayed more attacking intent. Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye also had efforts saved.
Tensions boiled over when Mohamed Salah fouled his former Liverpool teammate Mane, but Senegal coach Pape Thiaw and Egypt counterpart Hossam Hassan managed to cool tempers.
Senegal’s Habib Diarra was booked for arguing, however, meaning he will miss the final, too.
[Aljazeera]
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