| Sports |
|
Rugby takes a nose dive |
| By Harry Jayachandra |
Rugby in Sri Lanka plummeted to a new low when the Selection Committee decided to resign yet again. Chairman of the Selection Committee Rohan Abeykoon said that they had only returned to help Sri Lanka rugby out in the wake of the appointment of an Interim Committee for rugby and assurances from the Sports Minister that he would not overturn the Selection Committee decision with regard to the captain.
 |
| Storm brewing on
Pavitra’s sudden
ascendancy. |
Abeykoon said; “There was an inquiry held on Friday evening with Indra De Silva to which we were not even invited. And once again our decision was overturned which for the record was unanimous in the appointment of Dilanka Wijesekera as Captain for the Asian Division One tournament to be held in Dubai from Wednesday. However, this time around we are taking individual decisions on whether to resign or stay as opposed to the last time when we resigned collectively. I do know that Nazim Mohommad has resigned and I sent my letter to the minister this morning.”
Chaminda Rupasinghe confirmed that he would be resigning although he stated that he had not sent his letter in as yet. M. H. Marso who was also appointed as the selector on tour said he would not go To Dubai and would decide on the next step later. Rohantha Peiris was not available for comment neither was Minister for Sports Gamini Lokuge.
Chairman of the National Selection Committee (Sports Council), Indra De Silva said; “Yes there were two candidates and the person originally named was based on a quantitative analysis meaning on the number of matches he had played. However, I recommended Pavithra Fernando as Captain based on a qualitative analysis. Several factors had to be taken into consideration such as the fact that he has not played as many games as his counterpart because of a debilitating injury he suffered while
representing Sri Lanka, the fact that he has been nominated as the best club captain and also because he has maybe a year or so to go. Selecting a player on the number of matches played is fine. But when selecting a captain the factors I mentioned must be taken into consideration. And it would be a pity to lose such a candidate without giving him the opportunity to pass on his know how to his younger team mates.”
Kiran Attapattu of the Interim Committee
who was in contact with six players from CH and FC who did not attend practices last morning following the change of captaincy.
The Asian Division One Championships is on a knock out format and the Lankans first play host to Chinese Taipei and this just after about a weeks training.
Meanwhile Chairman of the Interim Committee for Rugby in Sri Lanka Dr. Maiya Gunasekera said; “The Acting Chief Executive Officer Lasitha Gunaratne will be accompanying the team as Manager. This is in keeping with our policy of sending an ex Sri Lankan rugby player as we did with Inthisham Marikkar for the Hong Kong Sevens.”
Things looking very bleak |
With the change of captaincy, the entire team has been split. One player speaking to The Sunday Times on the condition of anonymity said; “We had a long discussion with the Interim Committee’s Kiran Attapattu and acting Chief Executive Officer Lasitha Guneratne. Basically there are at least six players each from Kandy and CH and FC who may not go to Dubai unless the original captain selected for the tour in Dilanka Wijesekera is retained. Guneratne is supposed to come up with a solution - otherwise I guess the tour will get cancelled.”
If Sri Lanka does not tour Dubai, Interim Committee Chairman Dr. Maiya Gunasekera said; “We will get relegated to the lower division. Ten Sports will probably cancel their sponsorship and we will somehow have to return whatever monies we have already spent on training, coaching etc from the sponsorship money.”
Attapattu said; “Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge has called the members of the Interim Committee for an emergency meeting at 10am today to discuss on how best to solve this situation.” |
|
|
| |
 |
| |
 E-mail |
| |
views[1] |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
