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Comedy of errors takes another turn
By Harry Jayachandra
"Personal conflicts and egotism has to go out from the administration. People should be selected on merit be it to play for the national side or to hold a responsible post. Only once this happens can the game develop in Sri Lanka," said former sevens coach of the Lankan side Inthi Marikkar in an interview with The Sunday Times. Marikkar represented Trinity, CR & FC, Kandy and Sri Lanka.

To briefly recap; Marikkar along with Ravindu Athukorale were suspended for one year following the fracas at the now infamous Singer Seven's Final between Kandy and CH & FC. This decision was later overturned by the Appeal Board which also recommended that Marikkar be reinstated. Unfortunately Marikkar was only appointed for the Commonwealth Games and the Hong Kong Sevens. Both of which he missed due to his suspension.

" I did not want take the job at first. But the Union persuaded me. I am a person who not only talks the talk but walks the walk. The suspension frankly stunned me. And here I have to thank the CH rugby Committee, especially Shammi Silva who stood by me. The Appeal Board decision did not surprise me because all of them are men of integrity. They are men of principles and they do not compromise. And in a nutshell all I can say was that justice was served. But the suspension did leave a bitter feeling," said Marikkar.

Talking about the status of Sri Lankan rugby Marikkar said that the main team was doing okay and so was the sevens team until this year." Our performance at the Commonwealth Games was very poor. I do not know how but the team did perform better at the Hong Kong sevens," he said.

The SLRFU is trying to bring in foreigners in bid to raise Sri Lanka's standing in world rugby. Marikkar feels that this is a positive move. "By nature Sri Lankans lack the physique to compete with other nations. In addition most of the Asian countries and even giants like Australia and New Zealand have foreigners in their ranks.

In sevens for example if we had a forward and a back, we could be far more competitive and at least make our mark in Asia," said Marikkar
When asked whether he would coach the national team again, Marikkar replied; “Let me put it this way. Right now I am involved with the CH team and it is very fulfilling for me. As for the national side, I would have to think long and hard about it.

Perhaps even discuss it with those who are close to me. Frankly I do not want to think about it right now. As I said my aim is to help the CH team reach the heights they deserve," he said in conclusion.

Meanwhile Ravindu Athukorale who is based in New Zealand has written to the SLRFU stating that there are many inconsistencies and the case has been handled very unprofessionally.

Ravindu also charges that he was also not given a proper chance to defend himself by the SLRFU contravening to the IRB laws and is demanding an apology from the SLRFU.

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