Sri Lankans face alienation from top spots in sports 

The President of National Olympic Committee Suresh Subramaniam, who earlier this week expressed his reservations about new Sports Ministry guidelines calling for term limits for officials at sports bodies has warned about Sri Lankans being denied international recognition if the guidelines are implemented. Subramaniam, who wants the Sports Ministry to take on erring sports officials rather than penalizing everyone with term limits believes the new regulations will deny Sri Lankans holding office at regional or international level. Subramaniam, a former tennis player took on sports administration more than 25 year ago and a few years ago succeeded Hemasiri Fernando as President of NOC

‘To serve in the international federation you have to be a President of the National Federation, which will take atleast eight to 12 years. Then you must be senior among Asian region to be in the Asian body or international body. By putting term limits no Sri Lankan will be able to hold office at international level hereon,” he said.

According to the current recommendations a President of a sports body can not stand for election after serving two terms while all officials who have served the sport for eight years become ineligible to hold office in any capacity.