Jaswar Umar dismisses NOCSL candidacy

By Susil Premalal 

Amid deepening turmoil within the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), one of the country’s most prominent sports administrators, Jaswar Umar, has categorically ruled out any intention of contesting or accepting a position within the NOCSL.

His decisive statement comes amid rising speculation that he may be poised to take on a leadership role to stabilise the increasingly fragmented organisation.

“I have no interest in any position in NOCSL now or in the future elections,” Umar declared, putting to rest rumors that had been circulating in sports and political circles for weeks.

The current President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), Jaswar is widely regarded as a transformative figure in Sri Lankan sports governance. His tenure has been marked by a strong commitment to reform, institutional integrity, and national-level planning.

Most notably, he played a pivotal role in lifting FIFA’s suspension of Sri Lanka, restoring international recognition and activity within a short span of eight months - a task few believed possible given the complex political interference that plagued the federation.

Jaswar emphasised the need for collective leadership, transparency, and unity within the NOCSL. He offered to use his experience and relationships with multiple federations to facilitate dialogue but reiterated that he would do so only as a neutral facilitator, not as a candidate. “Now, the current leadership must initiate a proper dialogue with everyone. I can facilitate bringing everyone to a table for a constructive conversation. But I will not be taking any position at NOCSL. I have enough responsibilities in football,” he said.

Jaswar highlighted the importance of good faith negotiations, urging all parties to refrain from finger-pointing and to instead focus on shared goals. His message was clear: only a united front can regain the trust of international bodies such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), especially at a time when Sri Lanka is already facing restrictions on Olympic funding.

Jaswar also issued a powerful reminder to all sports administrators: “We are only guardians of sport - we are not its owners. Our responsibility is to the nation, to the athletes, and to future generations. Every decision we take must reflect that duty.”