When I heard a small boy on the street was singing that proverbial nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall and Humpty Dumpty had a big fall and all the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men could not put Humpty together again. This made me wonder whether this   describes the rugby scene in [...]

Sports

The rugby confusion and the tale of woes

View(s):

Danushka Ranjan was outstanding at CWG 2018 - FIle pic

When I heard a small boy on the street was singing that proverbial nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall and Humpty Dumpty had a big fall and all the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men could not put Humpty together again.

This made me wonder whether this   describes the rugby scene in Sri Lanka is in a chaotic and confused, state.  Reading the post commonwealth games media briefing made me think so. But unlike the case of Humpty it is not a case of the shell cracking but, the number of weeds that has to be weeded out.  The buzz of dissent that started with the setting up of the new constitution and the passing of same at A Special General Meeting has grown louder.  The wording that was agreed upon had been tampered with according to a stakeholder who wished to be anonymous.

There is more confusion building as cracks are appearing arising from aspirations to stay in office while others feel it is time for a change. The splits are in all areas of the game and include the Union, the Schools as well as the Referees. Talk centered on the possibility of a “Purohitha” been wooed to catapult to the office of The President. That apparently is not on the cards any longer with the re-organisation burden of the Grand Old Party. There is lobbying for the number two to challenge the boss.  There are other names mentioned for the post of President and canvassing is in swing. There is also more than interest for the Deputy President.  There is demand all over again for the service of the king maker as has happened in the past.

While Sri Lanka is not playing in the Division 1 fifteen-a-side Asian Tournament there are sleek and not so favorable statements made after the commonwealth games.  After being 15 out of 16 the talk is that the Lankans got the exposure.  The issue is at what cost did we get the exposure and was it value for money.  The performance of Dhanushka Ranjan is what is mentioned in a happy note.  Ranjan was great what but did the tuskers do to make the maximum by building a platform for him to shoot from. Fiji with Serevi is an example.  Fiji always did keep their star in a sweeper position while others worked the ball and Serevi had a bird’s eye view and squeezed through the holes that were seen.

Peter Woods the national was quoted as saying why rugby was a poor and a very poor cousin in comparison to others in the game. Not exactly his words but the essence is that we made fundamental errors according to him.  “If you look back 10 years ago, we beat countries like Kenya and USA but now for us to beat a top team is just a dream is a statement attributed to CEO Ekanayake . He went unto say   countries including the Asian countries are spending lots of money on the 7’s and they have Sevens only squads and that they  are playing tournaments right throughout the year. In our case we only get the players after the 15’s and therefore to condition the players and get them accustomed to play 7’s is a bit of a challenge,” he said.

“We also need to give more exposure to our national teams if we are to beat top level sides. It is also important that we have Junior National squads U16, U18 and U20. This is something that we are looking at now,” Ekanayake said. The same thinking was said in this column in March 2015 about the need to concentrate on the sevens. At that time this was virtually blasphemy according to those who mattered.  Why I call this as confusion is because what happened 10 years ago is not happening now. Is this not an aspersion on the council whose major partners have been in office for five years or more? On one hand there are statements that rugby has improved while what has been said by the CEO is different.  Indirectly it is an indictment that there has been a failure what happened ten years ago compared to now.   Are those talking trying to reinvent the wheel that has been in place sans the maintenance?

A school season of rugby that was much attended almost turned upside down because of the behaviour of one man who thought he should take the law into his hands.  This was not a fan or fans who think that brawn is the way to settle issues.  This was man who can claim better education being the holder of an MBA and works in a financial corporate in a position of responsibility. Confused on how to handle issues has damaged the school and the game and a family. The referees’ society is concerned about the safety for its referees and is virtually saying no to refereeing games that when hosted at Havelock Park. This is causing a hullabaloo as there are only a few grounds that are available and are given at amounts ranging from Rs 150,000 to Rs 200,000.  While contingents are sent to end 15 of 16 but the place where there is rugby interest is getting beyond the budget for those who host games. Why not think on the long run and look for space in the Port City.

The old boys of Pathana are in damage control mode and have been fast in identifying the culprit and sought to ban him from entering rugby match grounds when the school plays.  They have also made a complaint to the Police.  The issue that is in debated is whether it should be for life with a one year ban and then suspended for five years. My take is a five year ban which can be reprieved by refereeing for one year. People may say this guy assaulted a Referee and is now refereeing.

The shell was cracking in school rugby as disparate interest was pulling those involved apart.  A former President Ranjith  Chandrasekera a veteran  has taken over reins  to be the  coxswain in rowing the boat a shore. A tough man who has a mission when in office will steer the boat and hopefully will not waste time battling a Union which wants to have control school rugby as published in social media. They ask when even a B division club tournament run haphazardly and the CEO says the rugby in the country is not as good as what was ten years ago  why do they  suggest that  the Executive Director be the Tournament Director.  The blame game goes on as the fingers are pointed the fundamentals are not polished at the cradle – the schools. On the other hand do you see packed houses for school matches where ticket prices soar to a high of Rs 750 to Rs. 1000?  It is the chicken that lays the golden egg while the parent stock is aged hard meat unable to lay the eggs but eating well and putting on fat that makes walking difficult.

Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, Coach and an Accredited Referees’ Evaluator IRB

 

Share This Post

DeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS

Advertising Rates

Please contact the advertising office on 011 - 2479521 for the advertising rates.