Sports Ministry to conduct inquiry against swimmers

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – The Ministry of Sports has decided to launch an inquiry based on the recommendations made by the South Asian Games (SAG) Review Committee Report which has highlighted as many as 11 points for serious consideration.

The four-member SAG Review Committee headed by Gregory de Silva has highlighted several irregularities in the team selections, mismanagement and malpractices after considering Sri Lanka’s performances at the 2019, 13th SAG held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The 575-member strong Sri Lankan contingent included a total of 230 officials and participated in 26 disciplines winning 251 medals including 40 Gold Medals, 83 Silver Medals and 128 Bronze Medals.

Some of the serious points that the Review Committee has highlighted are about an alleged match-fixing case against the women’s Basketball team and the incident involved during the mountain bike downhill event.

In addition, a disciplinary inquiry will be conducted against two national swimmers, Kimiko Raheem and Cherantha de Silva who did not compete in their respective events citing medical issues.

Both swimmers failed to undergo the scheduled medical examinations conducted by the Sports Ministry Medical Unit before abandoning their events.

Meanwhile, another inquiry will be held against a weightlifter who withdrew from competition in an arbitrary manner and for the inclusion of additional badminton players who did not compete in the tournament.

The Sports Ministry will also conduct an inquiry against the Sri Lanka Boxing Association for leaving out two competitors, selected by the National Selection Committee and for including two new players who failed to record a victory.An investigation will be conducted as to how triathlon, which is not a registered sport in the Sports Ministry, were able to represent the country at the Games without any recommendations from the National Selection Committee or the Appeals Committee.

Another inquiry will be held into financial discrepancies relating to purchasing of air tickets and lodging, since contradictory statements have been made by the National Olympic Committee and the Sports Ministry officials.

The Sports Ministry will also conduct a disciplinary inquiry against the Kho Kho Federation based on negative feedbacks over their credentials as a national sports body.

There will also be an inquiry against the women’s Volleyball team for conceding defeat in a controversial manner and on the inability of wushu officials to include the adequate number of competitors thus missing out a potential chances of winning a medal. (DN)