Local referees, imported referees and colour changing chameleons
View(s):Tongues wag as speculation mounts in the corridors of rugby. People are interested and ask what would happen to Navy rugby. Cynically I would say; they will continue to play. This would be followed by the same question with Army, Sharks or CH changed instead of Navy. The question that stands out is why has it come to this when rugby was considered a sport that was above most when it came to administration and interest of the game. Rugby was quoted as an example to most in the past of having a good and a political administration.
What has taken place in recent times is to try and please even if their patronage is not needed. As I have said before some came to be at a rugby match wanting to be seen. To please those who are needed for yourself and not the game was a feature.
Rugby would, I believe go on as new allegiance will be found as customary to Sri Lankans. In an environment of the visit of the Holy Father the Pope all I could say is, “Father Forgive them for they do not Know What They Do”. In the world of changing colours to serve themselves and not the game there will be people that will change colours like a chameleon would. In the past this changing of allegiance was limited to within the internal affairs of rugby. As in many sports as in the rest of the establishments some panjandrums would change depending on the political masters; that is not rugby. That is the culture in our society whether it is sports, business or politics.
When somebody asked me whether the winds would sweep towards Kandy, I did reply somewhat quixotically that the problem is that the terrain is mountainous and roads are winding so the wind may not have a smooth path. The questions are an indication of what people think. Don’t blame them as this was brought about by people who are aliens to the philosophy of rugby. Some were there because that was the path to the powers.
Rugby is a game valued as a sport which builds understanding cooperation and respect. The cornerstones of the game have not changed and it is all about the pleasure of participating, the courage and the skills the game demands, the love of the game that enriches the lives of all. Great some would say go on to ask did it happen. My question would be if it did not happen what were you doing? Unlike in the past the each top level club is represented in the council. If one or two as they did rowed to please some; what were you doing? I have seen Edmund Burke being quoted ad lib in forum including the social media. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” It is time for those who played ball and now ask questions to start leading the game you love so much to play in the spirit it should be played.
Why should people think that the game is in a state of flux waiting for the dust to settle? Unfortunately the gods of some did not like the idea of being disturbed by rugby types and turned the other way. The scenes of appeal to the gods has to be a personal issue and not of rugby.
In the last few years tradition was broken and new clubs were lifted to the top league. Upcountry Lions lifted from nowhere to Division ‘A’ but did not last long. Will the same thing happen to the other lifted club that was placed in the league? In the meanwhile we hear of one of the oldest rugby playing clubs calling it a day. These are shot cuts that were placed to show greater participation now we have come to a spot lower than we were with the old horse CH with a history of over 125 years opting out.
The treasurer of the SLRFU has resigned as he was not satisfied with the way air tickets to get the foreign referees were purchased as reported in the media. As a treasurer that process is important but the subject of foreign referees is another. Referees coming to Sri Lanka are nothing new and were an exchange programme. The country of the visiting referee paid for his international travel while Sri Lanka paid for their referees to travel. This was considered of mutual benefit of both countries for exposure. This was to encourage referees to have experience other than in their comfort zone.
What happens now is for referees from other countries to get exposure and experience at a cost to Sri Lanka. We pay for them to come and also we pay for our referees if they travel. Some referees who have visited have not refereed a top league match in their country and use Sri Lanka as a launching pad. Who these referees are and how they were brought has been questioned by club representatives who are also in the council.
A visit of a referee and a reciprocal arrangement is not a bad idea but should not be at the expense of those at home. This week we see all matches being refereed by the locals. This is on the eve of the schools tournament which has around 500 matches to be played at all levels of the game. Those who clamor for foreign referees must ask what about the rest of the games. Some do play pathetic rugby but keep blaming their loss to the whistle.
Some would say that the local referees are under pressure. My question is by whom or who encourages the pressure. It is mainly by those who are responsible for tournaments which are at all levels of the game and who should give the referee the environment and the confidence to referee. It is rhetoric that one of the biggest grumbles has dropped out. Some who would like to question a referee even though they have not refereed women’s over forty match. Some are officials while some are hangers on or more precisely the baggage boys.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB