A rumor is afloat these days that in the next cabinet reshuffle, sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe will be removed and Jeevan Thondaman will be appointed instead.
Thondaman is likely to join the government shortly. It is reported that most of the people who are sending this rant are those who have been holding positions in sports associations for years and are now unable to contest again according to the regulations imposed by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe in a gazette.
It is also reported that the name of Jeevan Thondaman, who has no link to the field of sports, is being floated in the hope that if he is appointed, the regulations will be relaxed.
Many who have hung around like leeches in sports associations for years, not allowing others to come in, will not be able to contest for positions under the new regulations.
Those over 70 years of age, those who have previously been accused of corruption, those who have held the office of chairman for four consecutive years, and those who have held various positions for eight years cannot run for office according to the new regulations spelled out by the Sports Minister.
Aside from that, candidates for sports associations must provide a three-year asset declaration. Most of the people who will lose the opportunity to contest again are officials belonging to sports associations like cricket, football, rugby, wushu, athletics, boxing, and the National Olympic Committee.
