Hinting about a permanent retirement from his top post at the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka, Hemasiri Fernando pledged that he would not leave the doors open for a politician to take over the position which he has been holding for two decades. Brimming on his personal achievement of holding the NOC top [...]

The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

No politicos at the NOC says Hemasiri

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Hinting about a permanent retirement from his top post at the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka, Hemasiri Fernando pledged that he would not leave the doors open for a politician to take over the position which he has been holding for two decades. Brimming on his personal achievement of holding the NOC top position for 20 years uninterrupted, with yet another Olympics on the way, Fernando hinted of a possible retirement despite it has been in the waves for quite some time now.

“I am the only president to hold the post for 20 years without a break. This could be an Asian record. This time after the Rio Olympics for the National Olympic Committee elections, even if whosoever makes a request, I will not take up this post again. This is certain” stated Fernando to the Sunday Times.  Fernando was a top level shooter in the 1980s. He has represented Sri Lanka at the 1982 Delhi Asian Games and several other international meets. He claims to have all the credentials needed to hold any position at the NOC and leading it has been his business for the past two decades.

If his decision to call it a day materialises in the near future, Fernando was not ready to give in any other who has direct links to politics or politicians.  ”Do not allow time wasting politicians to take my post. That will be my only wish,” said Fernando, who represented the Sri Lanka Rifle Shooting Association and became President of the NOC in 1996.  At the National Olympic Committee elections, which is held every four years, Fernando was elected uncontested in the years – 2000, 2004 and 2008. The NOC election was scheduled to be held in 2013, but after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) intervened on certain matters linked with politics, it was not held.

At that time when nominations were called, Parliamentarian and Minister Dilan Perera representing volleyball and Rohan Fernando representing rowing had submitted their names to be NOC president.  One of the main problems which arose to result the postponement of the NOC election was the rift between the Sports Law and the NOC constitution. Without a clear remedy the question has been dragging on for three years. The decision has always been in the balance and when it will be resolved remains an unsolved problem. Fernando may have held on for two decades with doubts in his mind if politics or politicians would invade the NOC but he seems to be no longer interested in clinging on.

“The problem between the NOC and the Sports Ministry has been resolved. Now it is in the hands of the International Olympic Committee. When we get the green light from them, it will be gazetted and the elections will take place. One of the main reasons for this delay is that the IOC is faced with a problem regarding the Asian Games.  ”After the Rio Olympics,the IOC will definitely give a solution for it,” Fernando, giving an indication of the day he steps down, stated.  So far Sri Lanka has qualified for the Rio Olympics only in athletics with three reaching the required levels. By July 15 the nominations of these three athletes will have to be submitted to the IOC.

The athletes who have qualified so far are marathoners Indrajith Cooray, Geethani Rajasekera and javelin thrower Sumeda Ranasinghe.
With regard to possible wild card entries, which is one of Sri Lanka’s customary route-ins for Olympics, Fernando stated that no decision has been made as yet.  ”The associations concerned must make the decision regarding the wild card and forward it to the international bodies.They in turn will consider the nominations and contact the local associations concerned.”  Fernando is of the opinion that a wild card maybe a possibility in swimming. Other sports that could earn wildcard entries are badminton, archery and rifle shooting. But Fernando is adamant that the position that he is vacating at NOC should not be filled by a wild entry.

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