Sports

Sports

Call for the rest of the pack
Please bridge the gap for rugby’s sake
By Vimal Perera
The first round of the Caltex League rugby tournament will be complete as you read this and the table leaders will be known. The tournament, so far, has given the signal that the two leading clubs, CR & FC and Kandy Sports Club are far ahead of others in the pack. Another factor that emerged during this round is the return of spectators and the continued faith placed on the game by the sponsors. The clubs therefore have to get their thinking caps on and plan to challenge the leaders. This will ensure the game reaches higher levels from which the clubs too will benefit. Eventually the benefit will accrue to the national team.

The importance of input to the National Team should be a point of focus as Sri Lanka has climbed a number of steps in the rankings. With the recent wins over Thailand and Singapore Sri Lanka is ranked 49th and ahead of us in Asia are Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Chinese Taipei, and Kazakhstan. Effectively Sri Lanka is among the first seven. Now the challenge is to be there and climb higher by the year 2006 with the Asiad in mind.

It is noted that during this first round there has been only one red card whilst there have been a couple of yellow cards. This shows there is more discipline and the game is played as it should be. Air Force should be proud that they are the only team that has not received a single yellow card. Navy is the team that has received most number of yellow cards. This is something the Navy management must review.

The yellow card could be the result of foul play and or repeated infringements. I believe it is more of repeated infringements. The analysis of course is important as the Navy is the team that has emerged from those that have been at the bottom. Navy should be proud of their ascendance and will be a huge challenge to those who meet them in the second round. If they correct the mistakes that they are making now, it will help them to go forward than being driven back from positions of vantage they have been at times.

Today Havelock will battle Air Force and this game will decide the sixth place in entry to the second round. If Air Force is successful it will boost their ego after languishing at the bottom for a long time. A victory for Havelocks will at least be face saving though it may not uplift their game to the highest standards immediately.

Another significant feature this week is the appointment of Dilroy Fernando to referee the vital Kandy SC vs CR & FC match. It will be the litmus test on the referee and passed will prove the even handed approach. This after all is a sport which has to be played in its correct spirit and will enhance the image of the game rugby. Prior to the appointment there was talk as well as published statements requesting for a Foreign Referee.

This would have had many other ramifications and financial involvement. If the first round was refereed by a foreigner the necessity to follow will be there in the second round too. This will then require same arrangements for the knock outs and any other tournament that may follow. It may be acceptable to some as this is the fight for leadership and therefore demands a foreign referee. What would Havelocks and Air Force say as they fight not to be at the bottom? The match is very important from their point too. Where will we then stop? There will always be criticism but how many will come to the middle with the whistle.

The improvement of the game at National level requires a responsible input from the referees. In this sense it is important that the referees should be given the opportunity to officiate in key games. Sri Lankans are appointed to referee at the highest level in Asia, then what is that we want better. The answer lies in the perception and the halo effect as people tend to categorize the referee on who’s who.

Along with the second round of the Caltex League tournament will be the “Singer” Schools league which will have six weeks of rugby filled days. The choice will be yours or will you not prefer to miss the action, as it gets hotter and be present on all days.

Top