Can sport bodies financially burden schoolchildren for overseas tours?
Controversy has sparked after two national federations were found asking school athletes to either raise funds or meet the full cost of competing at international tournaments. The Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) are both facing mounting criticism for ignoring a clear directive from the Ministry of Education, which prohibits passing such costs to students or their families.
A Ministry circular, issued on July 21 under the subject “foreign travel for school athletes”, outlines that all expenses for students representing the country must be covered entirely by the respective sport federation. This includes airfare, accommodation, meals, and team equipment.
Boxers selected to represent Sri Lanka at the ongoing Asian Under-19 and Under-22 Championships in Bangkok include schoolboys and schoolgirls, who have allegedly been asked to cover a total of Rs. 545,000 each. The amount includes Rs. 130,000 for airfare, Rs. 400,000 for accommodation and food, and a further Rs. 15,000 for a track kit.
This information became public when scanned copies of the official request letter from the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka circulated within certain social media platforms and websites. The letter, signed by the BASL President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara, clearly states that participation in the said tournament requires each athlete and coach to cover their own travel, accommodation, and meal expences.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, SLBA media spokesman Kusal Gunasekara said that the letter was only issued to help athletes approach potential sponsors. “We did not specifically ask them to raise funds. They were free to do so if they wished,” he said, adding that “all necessary approvals were given by the Education and Sports Ministries.
Mr. Gunasekara acknowledged that the association had failed to secure a budget for the championship as it is a non-profit organisation. “The expenses will eventually be supported by our own members, athletes and parents of the athletes, as well as our own President, Dr. Bandara,” he added. He also pointed to ongoing difficulties in securing consistent sponsorship for amature boxing.
The situation further deepens with more confusing factors, such as the alleged absence of a Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, and points out to administrative failures within the BASL with critical questions being raised on how funds are being managed. However, Mr Gunasekra assured that there is infact an Acting Treasurer, and transparency within the association is prioritised as all sponsor funds go to the SLBA account which is audited annually.
In a separate incident, the Sri Lanka Schools Badminton Association (SLSBA) has raised alarm over the conduct of its parent body, Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB). In a letter dated July 25, 2025, SLSBA President Hasitha Kesara Weththimuni has informed the Ministry of Education of several issues surrounding the upcoming Badminton Asia Regional Championship and past international tours involving schoolchildren.
The SLSBA stops short of accusing SLB of directly requesting funds from students, but highlights multiple instances of mismanagement that led to families incurring significant unplanned expenses. One such case involves a missed connecting flight in Indonesia during a previous tour, where players were allegedly asked to pay an additional Rs. 180,000 due to logistical errors caused by the team manager.
Even more concerning are allegations that during last year’s World Junior Badminton Championship, team officials used schoolchildren to carry undeclared goods through customs in order to avoid paying import duties.
The SLSBA has asked the Ministry of Education to summon SLB officials and instruct them on the correct procedures for handling foreign tours involving school students. The letter also notes a lack of transparency in how decisions are made and funds are allocated, calling for clearer lines of responsibility and better oversight.
The central issue in both instances is the disregard for the revised circular issued by the Ministry of Education on July 21. The document states that school athletes selected for international competition may only participate if the full cost is covered by the national federation. No part of the expense may be transferred to parents or students, and any such arrangement risks breaching ministerial approval conditions.