“An official is a person who needs to be valued as a truly objective judge who deserves respect because of his position and talent”. Shakespeare says “There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.”

This applies to all officials who take position in sports whether they are referee, coach, selector, match commissioner etc. When we look at the recent past can we say that we look at officials in this manner? The first and the most maligned in this respect are the referees.

When the rave and rant is heading elsewhere, what does it hold for the game? An official should never be implicated and or tainted with a possibility of deceit. Actions resulting from ignorance is excusable. Yet the recent public pronouncements on officials and subsequent ministerial action suggest there are a hint and an element of deceit implied by action. I doubt whether we are on the correct path as we openly flay each other while everybody should be working towards a common objective. That is to take Sri Lanka to the next level of rugby in Asia. The removal of the last selectors in the midst of the controversy I doubt added any value to the game. The only conclusion that can be made by this action is to suggest that they were less than honorable. I bring the analogy of a referee into this argument as they have to always remember that almost every decision there will always exist an unhappy side even if that decision did not affect the final decision. The selectors have paid a price.

One must understand that whoever takes the role of an official has no easy task . It is time consuming and demanding and could also be stressful. This would have been understood by those who appointed the selectors. The fact that they could have been objective and they deserve to be respected would have been taken into account. Also that they have the talent required to do the job while having time on hand would have been considered Thus the authoritarian decision while using the power of the law at your disposal I doubt did any good to rugby. It is no secret that the last lot of selectors resigned before being removed while the present situation is one of I am first on the draw as it was in the Wild West. Then it was survival today it is ego.

What I would ask you is whether this is good for the game and whether this is a good indication for the new bunch of selectors. The poor honorable and talented men have a sword hanging over their head when they meet to deliberate. Is this not possible and has this not taken the game back than

forward.Another issue that surfaces is the independence of selectors who are appointed by the minister who therefore not responsible to the Union. Technically yes but practically I would think NO. What has to be understood is that they and the controlling body are not two but one which has to meet at some point to fulfill the final objective. The selectors are an integral part of the game tasked with performing a special and specific role.

This requires both parties to understand the objective. This also requires knowing the current tournament format and thinking that is taking place in the Asian Region. That is the structure of the tournament that is virtually the first five the next four and the next four. Sri Lanka is in the second four practicing to be in the first five. The present fiasco and the involvement of players in rugby politics buoyed by vested interest does seem to suggest that we may end in the third four unless they play with the determination required to succeed and put behind all differences till they come back.

There will be arguments and criticism of the decision of the selectors to name two Captains. The selection of players is another issue. The wise men have met and solved the problem by appointing two captains and sealed off a possible mutiny that was on hand. Yet some may have different views. May be one set will pull along with one captain and the other set with the next. Both have a do or die battle. We got to win the first match if we are to be in contention for a crack on being winners of that group. Then we are in course of getting to the next level. If we don’t then we still have a second chance to beat the losers and still work on being where we are and not being relegated. This is “brilliant thinking?” by talented people who are objective and have arrived at the best decision for rugby in Sri Lanka. Machiavelli would have been proud of you. Do I hear somebody saying “the circus goes on and that the problem is stalled at least for the moment”. What next is the question?

Can only be answered using parts of an email I received from Anton Benedict. Who probably believes I have to be saved and is pushing me to prayers?

“When you reach the end of your rope, you will find the hem of his garment. I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't, and die to find out there is”.
= Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB