Tiger by the tail for schools sports!

By Madhushala Senaratne and Isuri Kaviratne

The funeral of D.S. Senanayake College Baseball coach……This incident which occurred on Independence day was the first incidence that directly involved school sport in this thirty year long problem. However it sparked off a huge chain reaction where the present day all school sports have been affected. (Pic Berty Mendis)

Come March, for most Sri Lankan sports lovers, be it young or old, their school big match is quite simply a must and without the crowd, the bands and husking it would not be complete. However, this year, uncertainty looms over the schools cricket season or any sports event that warrants the gathering of large crowds following a directive issued by the Education Ministry last week which called for the cancellation of such events due to the prevailing security situation.

L. K. Jayaweera, Director of the Sports Division of the Education Ministry said that they would continue to analyse the security situation in the coming weeks and discussions are also underway between school authorities, organizing committees and other relevant personnel on the prevailing situation.

It’s yet to be seen whether the long running Battle of the Blues, for which boys (and girls) prepare days ahead, would continue as planned. Upali Gunesekera, Principal of Royal College, said that although Friday’s match with Wesley was cancelled, they are awaiting further instructions from the Ministry on the likelihood of conducting the annual Royal-Thomian encounter next month. However, ensuing security of the students would be vital, he emphasized.

Security would also be a major factor in determining whether the Dharmaraja-Kingswood encounter, would be held as scheduled on March 7 and 8, Anil Perera, Prefect of Games at Dharmaraja College, said. “The Dharmaraja-Kingswood Joint Committee that organizes the big match is currently discussing the issue bearing in mind the security situation”, he added.

Meanwhile sports practices were also temporarily cancelled in most schools last week and with big matches only weeks away, coaches were hoping practices would resume soon. “Schools are due to open on Monday, so hopefully practices would resume then. However it is not clear whether practices would be held as scheduled. There is hardly anything we can do about this”, Leslie Narangoda, cricket coach of Nalanda College said.Chulaka Amarasinghe, cricket coach of Royal College said that the on-off practice sessions held last week would help his players. “Several short and irregular cricket practices were held last week as we need practice. However security and safety of students is an important issue, but we need some practice as well”, he said.
Sports meets are yet another important event of the school’s first term sport calendar. A stepping stone for young athletes, the schools sports meets are necessary if students are to compete in zonal and provincial games. Apart from the relays and individual events, inviting special guests, March pasts and school bands are customary of any sports event. However, according to the Ministry directive, sports-meets are to be conducted on a low key, sans large crowds and the pomp and pageantry.

It was only last weekend that school cricket season was in full swing. The picture was taken when Royal College took on St. Peter’s at Bambalapitiya.

Principals expressed that the usual events of the sports meets would be conducted as planned and winners recognized. However, they added, as instructed by the Ministry and in view of the prevailing security situation, celebrations and ceremonies will be cancelled.

“It is necessary that school sports-meets are held as it is the basis upon which students are selected for zonal and provincial meets. It is also a significant event of the school calendar. Therefore the events would be held and certificates would be awarded to the winners but we would not have any special ceremony”, The Principal of Maliyadewa Boys’ School, R. M. M. Rathnayake said.

“My child love sports and he would continue playing baseball for D. S. Senanayake College, even amidst the tragedy last week. We are very scared and worried for our children, but I don’t think I could stop him doing sports. And if I do, for how long could it be”, a concerned parent, whose child is involved in various sports activities at D. S. Senanayake College said.

Another parent whose son also attends D. S. Senanayake College said that even though she is afraid to let her children go to a crowded place including school, it would not be possible. “Schools are starting on Monday and we have to send our children to school. Sports are an important part of school and we can’t tell our children not to participate in sports”, she said.

Janaka Pathirana, whose son Sachith is the captain of the Sri Lanka junior cricket team said that conducting sports-meets and big matches that calls for large crowds, can be unsafe considering the present situation. “Compared to rugby or football, there is a lesser number of players on field during a cricket match which makes it easier to give protection. However with large crowds at events like the big matches the situation can be different”, he said.