Three sports bodies on the mat

By Susil Premalal

Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage, through a special gazette notification issued on Monday has suspended the administration of athletics, table tennis and gymnastics.

According to the ruling the three sports governing bodies have been placed temporary in the hands of the Secretary of the Ministry of Sports who has been entrusted to supervise its activities.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Sports will serve as the official authority of these three suspended national sports associations until the scheduled 2025–2027 elections are conducted and the respective administrations are restored to normal. 

According to the regulations of the Ministry of Sports, the elections for the three associations were required to be held before May 31, but although the Ministry had extended the grace period until August 18, 2025, officials of the respective associations failed to hold elections within the stipulated time frame due to various reasons. 

As a result, the Ministry has decided to suspend the administration of the three associations.