Colombo, 11 June 2026 – The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC Sri Lanka) successfully concluded its Second Sport Administrators Course 2026, held from 03 to 06 June 2026 at The Thinnai, Jaffna, bringing together 36 participants from across the Northern Province.

 

The course attracted sports officers from the Department of Sports, administrators from educational institutions, including Sam’s College, coaches, and sports administrators representing a diverse range of organizations from all five districts of the Northern Province. The programme provided participants with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in modern sports administration while fostering collaboration and networking among stakeholders in the sporting community.

 

Significantly, this marks the first time in more than a decade that NOC Sri Lanka has conducted a Sport Administrators Course outside Colombo, reflecting the organization's commitment to decentralizing sports education and creating opportunities for sports leaders across the country. NOC Sri Lanka expressed its intention to continue taking the programme to other districts in the coming years, ensuring greater access to professional development opportunities for sports administrators nationwide.

 

The four-day intensive course was delivered under the guidance of an experienced panel of National Course Directors comprising Group Captain (Rtd.) Nalin De Silva, Dr. (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando, Mrs. M.K.A. Anoma Rathnayake, and Mr. Gobinath Sivarajah.

 

The curriculum covered a vast range of subjects essential to contemporary sport administration and management. Participants received training on the Olympic Movement and its governance structure, sports governance and leadership, ethics and integrity in sport, athlete welfare and safeguarding, communication and stakeholder management, strategic planning, event operations, risk management, sports marketing, sport science and technology, anti-doping awareness, and the evolving challenges and opportunities within the sports industry.

 

Participants were actively engaged through lectures, group discussions, practical exercises, presentations, case studies, and interactive learning activities designed to strengthen both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies required for effective sports administration and organizational leadership.

 

In conjunction with the course, participants also commemorated World Environment Day 2026 under the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.” through a tree-planting initiative organized at the venue. The activity reflected NOC Sri Lanka’s commitment to promoting environmental sustainability alongside the development of sport and community leadership.

 

The course concluded with a Closing Ceremony held on the evening of 06 June 2026, where Mr. Rifdy Fahmy, Secretary General of NOC Sri Lanka, joined as the chief guest, and Mr. Lal Wickrematunge, General Manager of NOC Sri Lanka, joined as a special guest.

 

Mr. Rifdy Fahmy, Secretary General, NOC Sri Lanka, stated, "This region has produced many athletes and committed administrators for national sports, and importantly, it continues to grow as a region that produces potential athletes who can represent Sri Lanka. Sports do not succeed with athletes alone; there are many administrators who contribute their time voluntarily to ensure success. I hope all the participants have learned and prepared themselves to help Sri Lanka set global footprints."

 

The successful delivery of the Second Sport Administrators Course 2026 in Jaffna represents another important milestone in NOC Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to strengthen sports governance and build a new generation of knowledgeable, ethical, and capable sports administrators across Sri Lanka. By extending the programme beyond Colombo and into the regions, NOC Sri Lanka continues to promote inclusive development and create pathways for sporting excellence through education, leadership, and collaboration.

 

Participant Feedback

 

" My thanks to NOC SL for giving us this valuable learning opportunity. I learned many new things through lectures, demonstrations, presentations, and activities. The course was conducted in a very interesting manner, and I believe the knowledge I gained will be useful for my future as a sports administrator."

- Bajeena Jegatheeswaran, Undergraduate, University of Jaffna

 

"I am certain that the insights acquired through this initiative will serve as a lifelong foundation for my growth as a sports officer and coach."

 - Tharindu Gayan, Sports Officer, Pachillaipalai Divisional Secretariat.

 

"Being a young girl working as a table tennis coach, this course has boosted my confidence with the knowledge that I gained from this."

 - Dilani Jegatheeswaran, Table tennis coach, Sam’s College, Kilinochchi

 

"This curriculum significantly enhanced my proficiency in event management, sports administration, and leadership. I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers for conducting this session in Jaffna, which greatly facilitated our attendance."

- Vimalaeswaran Pirarththana, Assistant instructor, Ocean University, Jaffna

 

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