Top rugby refs Nimal and Fernando fail fitness tests
Renowned Rugby referees D. Nimal and Pradeep Fernando have failed in their fitness tests and have been omitted from the Division ‘A’ Referees’ Panel named by the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) Referees Committee.
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Nimal and Fernando, both notable Rugby officials to earn accolades as well as criticism, will have to work hard if they are aiming of making a comeback to the Referees’ top group, according to Chula Dharmadasa, the Chairman of the SLRFU Referees Committee.
Currently both have been demoted to the Division ‘B’ Panel, which gives them an open opportunity to prove their credentials.
“Fitness was the main issue for these two. It’s a common issue among local referees. The game is changing fast and so are the players and rules. Referees too must be up to the mark,” Dharmadasa told the Sunday Times.
The SLRFU’s Referees Committee named a panel of six referees for the Dialog Division ‘A’ Inter-Club League Tournament which kicked off on Friday.
The panel includes four seasoned individuals – Irshad Cader, Aruna Rankothge, Priyantha Gunaratne and Dinka Peiris, who returns to the top panel after a brief dearth.
The panel includes two newcomers, Rohan Fernando and S.B. Madugalle, who have impressed at Division ‘B’ level.
The top six referees too will be closely monitored as well as other members of the lower panels. Dharmadasa stated that if any of the top six referee is spotted and branded as out of shape to be in the Division ‘A’ Panel, he will be immediately replaced and put under thorough training.
“There are four well experienced referees two new faces in the group. Despite making their way to the top, all will be subjected to close observation. They will be more likely treated as how any other Rugby player.
If there is room to improve they will have to work hard on it under our Referee Coach Dilroy Fernando,” Dharmadasa added.
In the case of Nimal and Fernando, Dharmadasa stated that the progress of both will be closely followed and set an even ground to those who can improve and make their way to the top.
He pointed out that rapid and sweeping improvements are set in place in a bid to enhance the standard of refereeing in Sri Lanka.
“Unlike the past local referees are working hard on their physical fitness as well as keeping a close tab on the rules of the game. This is a good sign.
We see them (referees) coming in to the ground for training and seriously focusing on other areas as well under the watchful eyes of Dilroy (Fernando). But very few have joined in to become referees from last year, which is not so pleasing,” Dharmadasa stressed.
The squad of six Division ‘A’ referees was picked by SLRFU Referee Consultant Garratt Williamson, SLRFU Referee Committee Chairman Chula Dharmadasa and SLRFU Referee Coach Dilroy Fernando.
The referees gathered during the first week of November, prior to the commencement of the Dialog League to prepare for the competition with areas of fitness testing and discussion on key areas of the game and how they will be refereed.