NOC plays role of watchdog on athletes during COVID-19

NOC Chief Suresh Subramaniam

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

COVID-19 has certainly taken its toll on every sphere of life with sports virtually coming to a standstill around the world.

The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka of which former tennis star Suresh Subramaniam is the President has done their best to keep sports that come under their purview alive in times of inactivity.  

“COVID-19 has affected everybody especially the admin they have to keep away but the only thing we were successful is that we did some web seminars and web meetings. We were very lucky, once we had Mahela (Jayawardene) on line to talk to the athletes,” said Subramaniam.

“We kept them going with various people for three months especially the weight lifters where they had to contest in the weight category and had problems. They said because of the issues they went back home and their mother and father was so happy they treated them well and they’ve got excess weight. What they told me was that you can’t displease your parents when they are very happy to see you. But at the same time you have a target, but thankfully the competition got postponed.

“We told them instead of eating the quantity you eat the quality and to be mindful. We were determined to buy weighing scales and send it to them but thank god the lockdown was lifted. What is very important is their fitness. 

“They can keep their fitness levels up by doing a lot of things like skipping etc. The balance can be done, but if you are not fit it’s difficult. Most of them were doing it at home but now slowly they are coming back. Once again there is some news floating about of a second wave. We don’t know whether it is true or false news. I hope the people won’t get affected,” he said.

Subramaniam said the NOC’s message to all national sports bodies was: “Number one they have to stay safe, number two there is no excuse to train. At the end of the day if you want to find excuses you will find excuses, number three once you get into that lethargic mood coming back is very difficult. 

“We tell them to keep mind and body in good condition by looking at past captains and players on TV and analyse for themselves where they are going wrong. My message to them is you realise what you are doing is wrong it is easy for you to correct than somebody else. This is the best way they can keep themselves occupied and educate.”

“Whether they are doing their training or not can be gauged. From their physical fitness we know whether they have been training. They have not been put into the test it’s too early as there is no competition in the near future,” said Subramaniam.

“I have told the athletes and tennis players ‘look at your program and keep the hand-eye coordination working’. The bottom line is if you don’t have a personal interest in personal discipline whatever we say is useless.”