Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe (third from left ) briefing the media. Also in the picture from left A. Muthumala Sports Director General, K. Maheshan Secretary to the Sports Minister and Sports Director I.P Wijeratne ( pix courtesy Sports Ministry media)
Most of the National Sports Bodies haven't proper plan and they always come to get support from the Sports Ministry said Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe at the press briefing held at Sports Ministry Duncan White Auditorium yesterday.
"As a Minister it is very difficult to work with Sports Body officials. Most of the time they are willing to work for their benefits and not for the players and the sports and I have to work with this people," added Sports Minister.
"Today we have to work with people who are not perfect and we can easily call them thieves. Today these thieves have more power and they are going to show their power by doing dirty work in sports field. I am going to clear this issues in Rugby and Football first and then move on to other sports," said Sports Minister.
"I have seriously advised not to send more officials with the tours. Their travel expenses can easily use to sport development of 20-30 schools. Some of the National sports bodies are not work according to correct system. The worst thing is they are going to courts against our proper plans and recently we had good experience on new Sports Body election rules and selection methods. We wanted to have correct way to uplift sports and my duty is to clear all these areas and we always work according to Government law and sports bodies have to realize this".
"I always said National Olympic Committee is not a branch of International Olympic Committee and it also has to work under our government law and they have to work closely with Sports Ministry. However already I have pointed out only apart from coaches and players five officials are enough for Asian Games tour part and always we should give first priority for players, added Sports Minister.
Coming back to Sri Lanka Rugby and Football issues we are having successful discussions with the World Rugby officials these days. I am very happy to clarify these issues with them. Not only rugby officials I make arrangements to give chance to Rugby coaches, referees and district and provincial level officials. Sri Lanka Rugby was banned before I assumed duties and I tried to clear these issues and get chance to take part in International tournaments".
"Actually how can I give permission to Sri Lanka Rugby chief who has got letters from Asian Body and World Body for his unpleasant conducts. We always like to give support to World Rugby development work and we are always trying to work for that according to our policies and they also agreed to our plans," said Sports Minister.
"Football also have big issues and I am expected to talk with Asian Football and World Football officials via Zoom technology on July 10th and we wanted to clear these issues early," said Ranasinghe.
Meanwhile Sports Minister said new Sports Director General and Deputy Sports Director General will be appointed next week after Cabinet approval and these appointments have been made after three interviews and finalised the most suitable persons who have sports knowledge and good administrative skills. An appointee will work for atleast three-years in his post," added Sports Minister.
Sports Minister also said the activities of National Sports Games is very difficult with the financial matters. President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Finance Minister said not to give money for Sports Bodies and respective Sports Bodies have to generate their finances on their own.
The Secretary to the Sports Minister K. Maheshan, Sports Director General A. Muthumala and Sports Director I.P. Wijeratne were also present at this press briefing.
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