Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage continued to beat the drum for the amending of the archaic Sports Act and touted it being the panacea for most of the ills plaguing the nation’s sporting sphere.

“The root cause for the ills afflicting the country’s sporting firmament, is the old-fashioned Sports Act in my opinion,” he told an electronic media talk show on Monday (31 March).

“The existing Sports Law needs to be amended to suit the needs of sports men and women, while diminishing the clout wielded by sports federations and associations, for good. This system has to end sooner than later. If this is not done urgently, I am afraid Sri Lankan sports, be it cricket, rugby, football, netball, and athletics and all other popular sports, will continue to stagnate.”

Gamage said as stated in the NPP Government election manifesto, they were currently burning midnight oil in striving to amend the Sports Act, with the input of lawyers and relevant stakeholders.

He predicted that within the next 60-day or so period, the Sports Ministry would be able to table the amended Sports Act in Parliament and subsequently ratify it, turning a new chapter in the sporting arena.

The minister also blamed politicisation as he said had been the case with most other sectors, during the past few decades, as one of the main reasons for the sports firmament failing to make an impact on the global stage.

He added that besides politicisation of the sphere, the never-ending internal power politics of certain sports associations and federations, has also put paid to the lack of continued success in the arena, as he referred to the country having managed only two medals in Olympics to date.

“So far we are yet to win a gold medal in the Olympics and what does that show?” he asked. “Also among these sports associations and federations, there is a massive fight for the posts of President and Secretary and these officials do not give a toss about the woes of sportsmen and women. I think once the Sports Act is amended and is ratified, these ills hopefully could become a thing of the past.” 

(JK)