Sri Lanka Boxing found itself in hot waters on Friday after former boxing chief Dian Gomes and current International Boxing Association (IBA) Director accused the current administration of breaking sports laws and failing to come clean on key financial matters during a controversial Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Ministry of Sports in Colombo. [...]
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Sri Lanka Boxing found itself in hot waters on Friday after former boxing chief Dian Gomes and current International Boxing Association (IBA) Director accused the current administration of breaking sports laws and failing to come clean on key financial matters during a controversial Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Ministry of Sports in Colombo.
The meeting went ahead despite strong protests from several members, who argued that the AGM should not have been held without audited financial statements approved by the Auditor General’s Department, a requirement under Sports Law No.25 of 1973.
Gomes, a former President of Sri Lanka Boxing and Director of the IBA, formally requested that the AGM be postponed. However, the request fell on deaf ears as the meeting proceeded under the leadership of current President Anuruddha Bandara. According to Gomes, the association failed to submit its financial accounts on time, resulting in the Auditor General’s certified report not being available before the AGM. He said the law clearly states that national sports bodies must have audited accounts before conducting their annual meetings.
“Why were the same rules not applied equally,” Gomes questioned.
He pointed out that sports officials in the past had received severe penalties, including lifetime bans from administration, for similar violations. The governance dispute is the latest chapter in what many describe as a rocky road for Sri Lanka Boxing. The sport has faced several controversies in recent months, including complaints over the transparency of selection trials for international competitions.
Questions were also raised about the qualifications of some referees and judges involved in the Commonwealth Games selection process, with critics claiming that required international accreditations were lacking.
Adding fuel to the fire, Gomes highlighted concerns over Sri Lanka Boxing’s international status. He said the National Olympic Committee had requested the federation to obtain membership with World Boxing, the body recognised by the International Olympic Committee, to ensure Sri Lankan athletes remain eligible for future Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Walking out of the AGM, Gomes also raised concerns over several figures contained in the draft accounts circulated among members. He raised concerns on a sum of Rs.137.3 million reportedly received from the Asian Boxing Federation for the staging of the Asian Under-22 Championship in Sri Lanka. Gomes said the accounts did not clearly explain how the money was received or spent.
He also pointed to local meet expenses amounting to more than Rs.150.7 million, saying members had not been provided with sufficient details on how the funds were utilised. Another concern involved Rs.8.6 million received through sponsorships and donations, with Gomes claiming that no detailed explanations had been included in the notes to the accounts.
Gomes called on Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage to step into the ring and address the governance issues before the sport loses its footing. With questions continuing to hang over finances, governance and international recognition, Sri Lanka Boxing now faces mounting pressure to clear the air and restore confidence among its members and stakeholders.
Print Edition – The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka
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