The referees’ society had its Annual General Meeting last week and the Incumbent Nizam Jamaldeen was elected to lead the referees for another year. He retained his position by an overwhelming majority over the contestant for the post of president. With a majority that was very wide the contest for other posts did not materialize. The contest it appears to have been pushed by some including a former president who also held the top office of rugby in Sri Lanka. It was not very clear, other than for a personal reason, why there was opposition to a person holding office for another year as by tradition the post was held for two years.

While some came too stir the pot others were spreading rumors of sorts. One was that the leaders including old boys of particular schools in the hills had asked all referees involved in coaching at that school to not support the incumbent. It turned to be a canard as the referees supported their choice and were independent to act as they thought right. It was no secret that the school and the referee’s society did not see eye-to-eye during the last season. That should not have been used by interested parties to further fester the wound that may be healing. Anything is good for those who parachute and take another’s place and what follows is now history which every rugby fan knows of. Scratching oneself in order to amuse others is another trait of monkey behaviour that is being repeated.

Reading the accounts of the referee’s society it has to be noted that little over Rupees two million has been written off as accumulated bad debts over the last four years. The dues were from various sources that have obtained the services of the society but have defaulted. What it means is that people who make use of services forget about their obligations after the work is done. Criticizing at will is a common factor but when it comes to your obligations… turn the other way.

With two of the more important arms of the game the SLRFU and the Referee’s Society being in place it is but a few days before the season starts. The season has begun for the referees with the Police inter divisional 10-a-side that kicked off on the 16th.

Nizam Jamaldeen

The year for the new council has just begun and they have to work in sustaining it while working on short term goals. The medium term plan and the strategic plan will have to take a little longer but is a must. The team in the council is very powerful on paper and hopefully they should be able to steer the ship. If you expect miracles in the short run then you will be disappointed.

To sustain and to work on the short term is to focus on the immediate domestic season and set your eyes on the national input. Let us look at the objective of where we should be and work backwards. We want to be among the first five Nations of Asia. And then aim to be among them to be the first three. Otherwise it will be one year in the first five and next year you are out.

Working back we need to in the first instance win the A5N Division 1 that is to be played in April. That is the sustainable issue and number one short term goal. That includes looking out for a coach. To look for a coach is not an easy job. You got to find someone who knows what Asian rugby is all about and what Asian culture is. That keeps out a few of the coaches from the top rugby playing countries that are helping out in Japan as most likely contenders. The question that comes to my knave mind is, can we do it in less than a month.

The A5N division one should start around end April. So there is little time. The best bet I see is Johan Taylor who has been coaching Kandy for the last few seasons. He knows Sri Lanka rugby, its players, the culture and its talent. Most of all he has produced results with Kandy.

When you put that name forward the issue that surfaces will be the politics for which we are famous for. He is from Kandy will be the first thing that will be uttered . What should be that answer. Kandy is part of Sri Lanka and Kandy Sports Club is a very integral part of rugby in Sri Lanka. Get the myopic thinking out of the way and you are on track. “My Son, My Club, My School,” should not blur the vision of the council where My Nation should be most important.

* Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB