Who, what, when and where?
View(s):The Sri Lankan Youth Sevens team has done well in the Asian Under-20 Championship played in Malaysia and they are in Hong Kong this weekend for the second leg. Two injuries in the first leg have made it necessary to send two replacements. With all the money spent by schools and clubs for trainers, it would have surprised me to lead in asking how come so many injuries? Particularly because there were others who could not make it despite being top choice as they were injured.
Sri Lanka did well in the Asian Under-20 7s last week - File pic
Why it does not surprise me was the chat I had with a Director of Physical Education of an international school. He was explaining to me a problem that a particular schoolboy rugby front row player had and had come to him for consultation. He told me that this boy lifts over 100kgs but could do only six pushups as he could not hold his body weight, and he lacked core body strength. People seem to have access to many fitness training schedules, trainers as well as centers. The question is whether they have access to people who know what they are doing.
Meanwhile a new game which has commenced and roads lead to ask in hush tones as to who will be the Minister of Sports. Will it be Navin Dissanayake again or the young vibrant politician with sporting background and specifically in rugby: Harin Fernando, the trendsetter. Possibly by the time this article is read we would know who it is and could be another who we did not think of. It is then that the fun of being wanted to be heard will start. By whom is the only question that is been waited.
The culture with the likes of good governance talking corporate is to rush with bouquets, messages of congratulations and what not after elections for their survival. The sports masters too go the same way. Why they are so interested in what happens in politics is because it has been implanted to the system. These gypsies might be pulling out their school ties and looking for new discussion venues as the sojourn to the east with kith and clan is probably of no use now. The hills might be better as that is where some power is. The suckers that they are have no limitation or shame in the behaviour.
During the last Sevens rugby tournament, there were many who were trying to get the ear, or eye of Malik Samarawickrema, et al who were at the match ostensibly to cheer the favored Kandy Sports Club. This was before the elections. Playing hide and seek and giving subtle indication to the seeker on who is hiding where: is something you did as kids to be sure you are safe and another gets caught. The experience of bringing up is what decides what you do later on. The rugby ball is oval in shape unlike other sports but has always had a good bounce and will it commence to bounce again?
It was not surprising but disgusting to see some who waxed eloquent about past rugby administration and the contribution that some did now straining themselves to be heard and or to talk to the man from the club in the hills. It is these same people who spoke of in vituperative terms not so long ago. Check the social media; they have changed colours: for whose benefit is the question?
I was more than amused to see these chameleons follow the man close to power at the Sevens which before the elections. These guys probably knew where the wind was blowing and were getting ready to set the sail. A chameleon is same as anole a lizard that changes colour. Play around with the word anole and you get what you want to call these asses. Despite the short time being together as a team and having had the exposures of a single Under-20 Sevens tournament in Colombo the performance is proof that Sevens Rugby is in the Lankan system. This is despite the fact that the Tankers, Krishnas and Jeevani types of this world thinking differently when the writer says that out future is in Sevens.
These are the types that do no good for rugby or any game as they are willing to sell their sole to appease the powers to keep them going and belong to the anoles. It does not matter who is in charge of sports or who will be in the council of rugby what matters is that the game continues. Rugby is a sport with entertainment value. It is a sport that has done well in the minds of enthusiasts. It is important to think and work towards that end in the future. A little bird tells me that questions are being asked about born in Fiji with a Sri Lankan background: and are making some nervous.
* Vimal Perera is a former player, coach, referee and an IRB Accredited Referees’ Educator