Sportsmen are bigger than politicians – Subramaniam

By Susil Premalal reporting from Birmingham

President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Suresh Subramaniam said that he has treated all sports federations equally and now it is up to those athletes to showcase their talent in their respective sports disciplines.

Subramaniam made these observations during an interview with Daily Mirror held on the sidelines of the 22nd Commonwealth Games, in Birmingham, England.     

  
“After I took over, I have been very fair with all sports federations as for me they are bigger than anybody. Any sportsman is bigger than politicians and all sports politics doesn’t come into play when it comes to sports,” he stressed.

“Politics is done by their own federations, not by me. For me, sportsmen are bigger than administrators. Today I am here, and I am gone tomorrow. But sports will carry on and it must carry on,” he emphasised.

However, Subramaniam also raised doubts about Sri Lanka’s performances at the Games following a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka.  

“Unfortunately, COVID-19 is rearing its head and few of our athletes were tested positive but no danger to them. But they have been isolated from other countries.”

Also, when they get back to training sessions, I am not sure how they are going to perform as some of them were released today and some yesterday.”

“Having said that, all the athletes are upbeat and they are very grateful for the respective federations for choosing them particularly as all you know, the crisis in Sri Lanka.”

“We were even worried that we could be here at all but now we are all here and now it is up to the athletes to keep the flag flying.”

Subramaniam further said that the athletes have a huge responsibility to bring honour and glory to the motherland especially at a time when the country is facing a massive crisis.  

“When the country is down sometimes it’s very embarrassing for me because when I move forward the first question everybody asks is how Sri Lanka is. Then I used to tell them, ``Look, Japan rose from the ashes and we will also rise from the ashes.”

“That’s the only answer I could give, and I am taking it very positively and I am sure the athletes will perform to their best.”