SLR unwillingly takes back task of Junior National Rugby teams
Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) authorities will sit together with Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) to have a serious round of discussion on the future and responsibility of national junior teams, after both Ministries — Education and Sports — declined the burden of funding or responsibility.
According to letters issued by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sports the responsibility has been ‘respectably’ transferred back to SLR, after the country’s rugby administration decided not to fund junior national teams this year.
SLR had spent over Rs. 35 Million on Junior Rugby National teams in the recent years, inclusive of its preparation, training and international tours. The amount was even taken up seriously at the SLR’s Annual General Meeting, as a deficit that should have not been in existence, despite the Annual Accounts Report, audited by the Auditor General’s Department, was accepted.
If SLR had a notable deficit on its accounts reports, according to the President of one of Sri Lanka’s oldest sports governing bodies, it would be after spending a considerable amount from its budget on the National Junior teams. However last season SLR was forced to withhold its spending on the National Junior teams, citing that maintaining junior age group national teams is a responsibility of SLSRFA.
“Junior National teams is an area SLR has been spending more on, despite the responsibility comes under SLSRFA. These players are school children and it clearly says that, such responsibilities of handling a team of junior age categories, should come under SLSRFA and the Ministry of Education. But out of blues, we have been informed that the schools section is not responsible and we are the caretakers of the junior national teams,” Lasitha Gunaratne, the President of SLR stated.
A letter sent by the SLSRFA, dated July 16, 2019, to the SLR, states that it had agreed with the parent body to take part in five international events, according to the schools rugby calendar.
“With such agreement, we (SLSRFA) sought approval from the Ministry of Education, who in return had replied us by stating that the responsibility of sending national teams at international competitions is not ours’ but comes under the parent body. Therefore we are unable to we (SLSRFA) will not be able to field teams for the agreed five international events that were included into the schools rugby calendar. We have attached a copy of the letter sent to us by the Ministry of Education as reference,” the letter sent by SLSRFA stated.
The response from the Ministry of Education to SLSRFA, dated May 22, 2019, states that organising, conducting, fielding players and teams, popularasing the sport at schools level and organising competitions at district levels, is a responsibility of the respective schools governing body of the sport.
“Sending teams to international events and competitions should be done by the main governing body, with the assistance of the schools body. At such events school children should not be charged as expenses, and if such situation arises, it is advised to refrain from taking part or organising from such events,” the letter from Ministry of Education, signed by R.M.M. Ratnayale, its Additional Secretary (Schools Affairs), stated.
Adding more salt to its wound, SLR received a letter on the last week of July from the Ministry of Sports, addressing to all its affiliated associations and federation, not to send requests seeking financial for school athletes or junior teams.
“Athletes or teams representing schools under the Ministry of Education, who are to represent the country at international events through the association or federation are requested not to send request letters seeking funds for the event or tour. However the Ministry of Sports will be willing to provide approval or sanction if needed. Please note that the Ministry of Sports and Department of Sports, do not allocate athletes or teams going overseas, and come under the Ministry of Education and its schools, for funds from the Treasury,” the letter signed by Ministry of Sports Director General, Dhammika Muthugala, states.
Secretary Nazim Mohamed revealed that SLR and SLSRFA formed a joint committee and drew blueprints to attract a common sponsorship covering local schools rugby competitions as well as foreign assignments of the National Junior teams, but without a valid and acceptable reason, the schools section had withdrawn from the project.
“SLR’s interest is rugby, development and players. We are not keen on snatching any property or project from any of our affiliations. It’s an accepted fact that schools rugby matches is a crowd-puller and it has all the potential to be marketed properly. It would have been very easy on SLR had we completed the joint project materialise. But they (SLSRFA) seems to be only bothered about conducting a tournament and finish it off, and nothing beyond that,” Mohamed stated.
Gunaratne went on to say that SLR will meet the SLSRFA officials sooner or later, to finalise matters on the National Junior teams, as it would indirectly affect Sri Lanka’s rugby future and its international standings.
“The matter was even discussed as a major topic at the AGM. It was decided that SLSRFA should work along with SLR, when it comes to raking in sponsors for the Schools League and International Tours. It should come in as a whole package when a sponsor is added for the Schools League, which should be followed by the National Junior teams. Or else SLR may have to remain at the receiving end, without any gains. Here we are not talking about what SLR gets, but we want to streamline the system, where it should not hinder SLR’s other programmes and projects,” Gunaratne clarified.
“The deadline to confirm our participation at the forthcoming Junior Asiad 2019 was nearing the end and SLSRFA officials did not even respond to our queries if they are willing to field a team or not. Eventually SLR had to confirm without their recommendation, as we need to remain in the international circuit, as top contenders we used to be. We hope to iron out all matters immediately,” he further revealed.