A special ceremony organized to launch the plan of action formulated by the High-Performance Committee and provide the required facilities for National sporting stars, was held yesterday (27) at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Ministry of Sports.
The ceremony was conducted under the patronage of the Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa, and was graced by the Chairman of the National Sports Council Mahela Jayawardene, Secretary to the Minister of Youth and Sports Anuradha Wijekoon, Director General of the Department of Sports Development Amal Edirisooriya, members of the High-Performance Committee and an array of National-level athletes.
The High-Performance Committee, which was appointed to oversee the identification of talent and the upliftment of sporting standards in Sri Lanka, presented and dispensed its drafted plan of action, while some essential facilities were also bestowed upon during the ceremony for sporting stars who engage in the sports of Athletics, Boxing, Swimming and Judo.
However, the highlight of the evening was the revelation made by the Minister of Sports that National athletes and coaches would be signed and contracted on a professional basis with a performance-based payment structure for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka.
“We are a nation with a history of immense achievements, which include medals in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, and Cricket World Cups. We have been able to reach admirable heights in the rankings of several team sports from time to time, while at times they have been lacklustre as well. Therefore, one could question that the system that is already in place is in fact adequate since it has delivered positive results over the years. However, we are all aware of the fact that we have not been able to reach our true potential during the past few years as we have failed to pull off the aimed and expected results.
It is true that we have achieved considerable improvements in some sports. But the other countries have progressed so far beyond us to the extent that we are no longer able to triumph over them in competitive sports. At the same time there are some other sports in which the records that were set 20-25 years still stand unbroken to date. So, this is the reality that we must deal with although we do not talk about it that much.
There are some sports associations and federations that waste time on discussing their elections instead of focusing on the sport or its players. There have also been instances where such federations have worked towards ensuring their own existence, compromising the future of the sport and development of its players,” Namal Rajapaksa stated, addressing the gathering.
He then went on to elaborate on the proposed new system of signing and contracting players and coaches on a professional basis with a performance-based payment structure, stating –
“We have a target, and we are moving forward with a proper plan of action. When you are being signed, the contract will be drafted in a way that the payment structure would depend on your performances. Therefore, although you are being recognized as a top-tier player, you have the responsibility to ensure that you remain there and move forward.
So, the more you go forward, the more rewards you will receive. Likewise, the more you move backwards, the less rewards you will be given.
I would also like to make a reminder here that this new system of contracting with a performance-based payment structure would be applicable not only to you, but also to Cricket players as well. So, as a decision made by the Ministry of Sports, we will be shifting to this new system.”
 at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Ministry of Sports. ){kind=link}