By The Line Judge

Sri Lanka has never had a sports minister who has played the game at the highest level. It is not mandatory that they should have, unlike office-bearers of national sports associations. From V. A. Sugathadasa, the first Minister of Sports in 1966, through to K.B. Ratnayake, S.B. Dissanayake and Mahindananda Aluthgamage, we have had some great visionaries who had the foresight to change the landscape of sport in the country. We have also had youthful ministers who looked the part in the recent past such as Dayasiri Jayasekera, a fitness fanatic, and Harin Fernando, who played rugby for St. Joseph’s. However, former S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia and Sri Lanka rugby captain, Namal Rajapaksa, takes the cake, becoming the youngest Minister of Sports. The 34-year-old is ideally positioned to take sports to the next level having represented the country and feels the pulse of the youth of the country hailing from rural heartlands in the south though receiving his education in Colombo.

With great expectations comes even greater responsibility to deliver results at national and international level. The 18^th Minister of Sports seems acutely aware of the many challenges he has to overcome as the world is still battling to bounce back from the chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic bringing sports to a standstill. The young minister has plunged himself into the field with unbridled enthusiasm to ride the tidal waves that have devoured the sports industry by surfing with gay abandon in the beaches of Hambantota just days after his appointment. It is a reflection of his eagerness and determination to lead by example in pursuit of glory, in keeping with his motto #LETSWINSRILANKA #FITSRILANKA.

He began his term on the right note when he declared that he is not the minister of cricket but for all sports. “While cricket is everyone’s passion, and while this will be a priority, I am not only the minister of cricket. I will now look at restructuring all sports, to which I know Sri Lanka has immense talent. Even sports like volleyball, swimming, rugby, etc. will all be strengthened and talent for these sports will be hunted for, from all parts of the country,” he stated.

Successive ministers have been keen to finger the pie that is cricket by appointing interim bodies to wield their authority leading to politicization of Sri Lanka Cricket while only lip service is paid to the development of other sports. Jayasekera was involved in a battle with Lasith Malinga on fitness, while Harin Fernando’s obsession with weeding out corruption in cricket was hailed even by the ICC (International Cricket Council). Namal Rajapaksa seems more pragmatic in his approach and is committed to identifying sports that have the potential to bring medals on the international stage.

“I will now look at restructuring the entire sports sector after intense discussions with all ex-players, private sector, corporate, journalists and all those who would be able to add value in taking this industry forward. Public ideas will also be taken. Decisions will never be made on anyone’s own will. It will be a joint team effort where decisions will be made only for the betterment of the entire sector. Not for only one sport or one group,” he pledged.

He has identified a means to boost the economy struggling after the coronavirus by promoting sports tourism.

“As Sri Lanka has emerged into a leading tourist destination, we need to develop this industry further by having more opportunities for leisure sports as this will also contribute towards the economy as well as create job opportunities within the youth. Secondly, I will also look at developing the competitive sports sector, by targeting world cups and global competitions, even the Olympics. Thirdly, I will also look at strengthening sports as forms of entertainment which will strengthen the sports economy while fourthly I plan to introduce a new norm into the country, and that is E-Sports,” he stated.

However, among his top priorities is overhauling the archaic Sports Law of 1973, ostensibly to keep pace with the modern era of professionalism. He received more bouquets than brickbats with his astute selection of renowned sports stars and eminent people from the corporate world in the 14-member National Sports Council (NSC), which includes two cricket legends, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. The NSC would not only serve as an advisory body but shape national policy for sports by approving nominations to selection committees of the respective sports bodies before the minister stamps his approval. This would also apply to selection of national teams for international competitions.It is inexplicable why the minister has to officially approve selections to the national team when the NSC has endorsed the selection committee unless to maintain a check and balance for which there is an appeal process.

The biggest challenge is revival of sports in schools which is the nursery of producing future national talent.

“I will also look at the development of sports on the junior level and strengthen sports in school levels and will soon begin discussions with the relevant stake holders on this matter,” he stated.

True to his word, the young minister wants to fast track the return to normalcy of school sports with many students kicking their heels at home in frustration.

In a significant development, Namal Rajapaksa tweeted late on Wednesday (26), “Had a fruitful discussion with the Health Minister and health authorities about the possibilities of restarting school #sports. Both parties agreed to commence selected sports immediately under strict heath guidelines and supervision.”

It is like a breath of fresh air made possible because of his #SRILANKACAN attitude.

-ENCL