The ushering in of the newly appointed Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage has been marred by a series of embarrassing missteps, with the latest fiasco involving athletes sent to Macau under dubious circumstances. The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) reportedly dispatched a male and female athlete along with a coach to Macau for a sports event without adhering to proper immigration procedures. This decision led to their deportation upon arrival, sparking widespread criticism of the NOCSL’s administrative incompetence.
Macau Visa Debacle
The deportation resulted from Macau’s strict immigration policy, which prohibits Sri Lankan nationals from obtaining visas on arrival. Despite this well-known restriction, the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), under the embattled Secretary General Maxwell de Silva, allegedly approved the trip, asserting that visas could be secured at the airport. This misstep not only embarrassed the athletes and their coach but also humiliated the newly appointed Minister of Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, shortly after him assuming office.
Just a month prior, NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam was also denied entry to Macau during a personal visit to Hong Kong.
An official within the NOCSL revealed, “None of the Executive Committee members were informed of the travel arrangements, apart from the general approval of the athletes’ participation.” The official added, “We all are aware that Secretary General De Silva was certainly trying to curry favor with Major General (Rtd) Palitha Fernando, the President of the Athletic Association, in an attempt to secure his support amid the suspension ordered against him by the NOCSL’s Ethics Committee. If these travel arrangements had been properly discussed, even the NOCSL President based on his previous personal experience and the rest of the Executive Committee would have guided them appropriately. it would have been made clear that the athletes and coach needed to obtain visas prior to their departure.”
The incident has drawn widespread criticism, underscoring a lack of coordination and due diligence within the NOCSL’s leadership, further exacerbating ongoing controversies surrounding its administration.
Ethical Concerns and Accountability
If the NOCSL authorized this trip knowingly, it constitutes a serious violation. On the other hand, if the decision was made out of ignorance, it highlights the urgent need for competence and due diligence in sports administration. Independence in decision-making should not serve as a shield for actions that harm the country’s sporting reputation.
The Sec.General Maxwell de Silva, already under pressure to resign following a damning Ethics Committee investigation report, appears to have orchestrated the arrangements for this trip, according to a letter issued by the Athletics Association Secretary to the media. Critics argue this incident is yet another example of his poor leadership and disregard for ethical standards.
Broader Governance Failures
This incident is not isolated. It follows closely on the heels of another debacle involving Director General of Sports Development Dr. Shemal Fernando, whose overzealous attempt to enforce a formal dress code for a meeting with the new Sports Minister backfired spectacularly. Dr. Fernando’s communique demanding that men wear long-sleeved shirts and ties and women dress in sarees was widely ridiculed on social media, forcing him to issue a hasty retraction.
Together, these incidents paint a troubling picture of a sports administration riddled with incompetence and misplaced priorities. From improper visa arrangements to tone-deaf sartorial mandates, these missteps are indicative of a leadership more focused on appearances and self-promotion than addressing the real issues plaguing Sri Lankan sports.
A Call for Reform
As the country’s sports sector struggles under the weight of these embarrassments, the spotlight now falls on Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage to restore order. Immediate action is needed to address the glaring deficiencies in governance and hold those responsible for these blunders accountable. Without meaningful reform, Sri Lankan athletes risk continued setbacks and missed opportunities on the international stage.
For now, the athletes deported from Macau remain a stark reminder of what happens when poor decision-making and a lack of accountability overshadow the genuine talent and potential of the country’s sporting community.
