We need to overhaul Sports Act – Sanga

By Rex Clementine

The newly formed Sports Council has set aside their priorities and the first thing they will be looking at is changing the Sports Act. The committee headed by former Test captain Mahela Jayawardene consist several high profile names both in sports and the cooperate sector. Sri Lanka’s leading run scorer in cricket Kumar Sangakkara is also a member. Speaking to The Island, Sangakkara explained the main priority of the Sports Council.

“The Sports  Law is now 47 years old. We need to overhaul it  and bring it in line to international  standards while not losing the local flavour.  We also need to look through the Olympic charter to ensure that we are not at odds with each other and to make sure that all associations are complying with it. We have to look at how sports bodies move forward  financially, structurally and operationally.

Enacted in 1973 by then Sports Minister K.B. Ratnayake, many have felt that the Sports Act is an outdated document. Since, Ratnayake there have been 21 Sports Ministers and many have spoken the need to amend the Sports Act but it remained untouched due the tedious process. The incumbent Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has taken the initiative to change the Sports Act and one of his first moves in the portfolio is to bring in several high profile individual to the Sports Council.

Sangakkara stressed that the process this time  too will be tedious and  was unsure by when it will be sent to the legislature to become law. 

“The Sports Council will look at the overall structure of sports and  how we could build up short term, midterm and long term plans to reach our goals. What we require to win at the Asian circuit then of course at the Olympics,” Sangakkara added. 

The Sports Council members will read materials given to them before starting discussions to introduce legislation. They are expected to meet in a couple of weeks time.