The Olympic Council of Asia is sad to report the demise of Roy de Silva, a former Acting President of the OCA.
Mr de Silva took on the role of Acting President of the OCA during a difficult time for the Olympic movement in Asia after the President, Sheikh Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah, was killed on the first day of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, August 2, 1990.
The OCA’s 11th Asian Games were only seven weeks away in Beijing, China, and Mr de Silva stepped in to coordinate the final stages of preparation and oversee the success of the Asiad.
In the end, 36 National Olympic Committees sent 6,122 athletes to the Beijing Asiad, which ran from September 22 to October 7, 1990.
Sheikh Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah had served as OCA President from 1982 until the time of his death in 1990, and he was eventually succeeded by his son, the current OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah.
The President and Executive Board of the NOC of Sri Lanka announced the passing of Roy de Silva on Tuesday, January 10.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr Roy de Silva, the former President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) of Sri Lanka and a former President of the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation," said a statement.
"Mr de Silva held the position of the President of NOC/CGA Sri Lanka during the period from 1984 to 1997.
"Mr de Silva was a Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The crowning glory he achieved during his sport administration career was as an acting President of the OCA and he was the only Sri Lankan who was honoured by such capacity at an Asian Games."
Looking back on Mr de Silva’s time as Acting President of the OCA, the OCA’s Director General and Technical Director, Husain Al Musallam, paid tribute to the Sri Lankan sports administrator.
"He was Acting President of the OCA at a difficult time for the Asian Olympic Movement.
"The Asian Games in Beijing was less than 40 days away and the OCA operated from Riyadh and London. Mr de Silva managed the success of the Games with the help of the National Olympic Committees and Governments of China and Saudi Arabia."
Mr Al Musallam concluded: "The Olympic Council of Asia will always be grateful for the leadership and the support of Mr Roy de Silva at such a traumatic time and for making sure the Asian Games ran smoothly."
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