No freebies for future high profile athletic meets: NOCSL Chief
Canoeing goes to Asian Games
The onus of taking Sri Lanka’s athletes to high profile meets is on the respective National Federations, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) President Suresh Subramanium says, warning that no athlete could participate in top meets if he or she fails to meet the required standards.
He says the NOCSL has decided to encourage athletes and other sports to reach the necessary standards, if they are to be considered in the future.
“If an athlete or a team is desirous of making it to the Asian Games or, a Junior Olympics — the two major events ahead of us — they, at least, should reach Asian rankings, for consideration. There is no point talking of five-year plans, if the said athletes cannot be sufficiently competitive at the Asian Games. You cannot go for the Asian Games to gain exposure and experience. You must gain your exposure and experience by taking part in bilateral international meets and others,” Subramanium said.
“The standards at the Asian Games are very competitive. Up front there is China, Japan and South Korea. Thereafter, the competition from the former Russian bloc which comes under the purview of Asia is also tough. Then countries such as Iran in the Middle Eastern region are also of top Asian standard. So there is no point just making the numbers. If Asian Standards are reached, you can say there is a glimmer of hope.”
NOCSL chief gets tough
“The onus is on the respective federation, the Ministry of Sports (MoS) and the NOCSL. The Ministry of sports earlier spoke of a five-year plan but, I do not think anything has been done in that regard. Then, we must ask the respective federations as to why they have failed to improve their standards. I feel it is time that we took things seriously and began to operate according to a set plan — short term and then long term.”
The NOCSL President also added that the NOCSL has entered all sports for the Asian Games, as a matter of policy but, to participate, there will be no freebies. If the required standards are not reached, the sport will be struck off the Asian Games list. Besides, participation at the Asian Games is also a costly affair.
However, according to Subramanium, there is a window opened for new sports. He said, “For instance, we have accommodated canoeing at the Asian Games. As it is a new sport, there are no rankings involved, so canoeing is in. But, we are hoping the respective federation also would help towards the endeavour. Nonetheless, it is a onetime affair. If they hope to take part again in the Asian Games, they would have to get the respective ranking.”