About dogs who bark but not bite
View(s):When there is good news of a performance of note the media give less space but more on the supposed penalty imposed on Sri Lanka Rugby is a question I was asked. The best answer will be by knocking on your conscience and asking what is that effects the value and culture of the sport. Sans much information, the comment on the issue will be limited.
A key Financial Statement in the corporate world is a Balance Sheet. On one side, the statement shows what it owns and what it owes. In other words the assets and liabilities. Shown is that can be measured in terms of money? The more important aspects like the value of employees, reputation or the mission is not accounted.
Like the balance sheet when you have more assets you are in sound footing but when you accrue liabilities the firm is in the limelight. Despite debts are serviced the shareholders at least in theory can ask the directors on what is in store. The world need to know why and how and in time, everything will be forgotten.
Sri Lanka beat South Korea 38-0 in the final of the first leg of the Asian Under-20 Sevens played in Malaysia. They are now in a position to take the Crown at the second leg in Hong Kong next weekend. Sri Lanka on its way to the final beat hosts Malaysia in a closely contested match. Sri Lanka in the run up to the knockout stage lost to Japan in a narrow score line game.
South Korea, knocked Japan out in an extra-time semi-final, had no answer to the speed of the Lankan team in the final. It was speed and good handling skills that helped Sri Lanka clinch the first leg. Previously the Sri Lankan Under-18 team won the Plate in the Hong Kong sponsored Asian Sevens Schools Tournament.
The boys led by Kevin Dixon in the Under-20 and Naveen Henakankanagamage in the Under-18 has shown that the there is a foundation for the future in Sevens Rugby. Having the skills and talent in this age group in the shorter version of the game talks well of the future of Sri Lanka Sevens Rugby. One may argue and ask whether this means that we have the talent and skills at this level but what happens when it comes to the National side. Sevens and Fifteens are two different aspects of the game and success in sevens does not guarantee success in the Fifteens.
To prioritize on the objectives is therefore the need. Take the case of Fiji who are masters at the Sevens game and at times are on top of World Rugby. The same cannot be said of the Fiji performance of the 15-a-side game. It is in this context that we see a Sevens tournament being played in Sri Lanka where also there will be a Schools Under-18 tournament. More Fifteens or more Sevens is a question on which there has to be thought and deliberation. Why more Sevens is important is because we have boys who can run and jinx as needed for the shorter version. The same cannot be said as penalties are given by the front three who are not accustomed to playing in that position. This was there in the Under-20 but more pronounced in the Under-18.
The prices in School Rugby are soaring high with offers and counter offers for coaches now almost over except in one or two cases. The horse-trading is now with the players who are to change colours. Well and good if winning is all that matters. A question that one has to ask in the park is why a student comes to school. Education, I think is the primary reason and sports is part of it.
The Education Ministry proudly displays on its website. Vision; to reach excellence in global society through competent citizens who share the Sri Lankan identity. Mission: Develop competent citizens keeping with the global trends through innovative and modern approaches to education leading to efficiency, equity and high quality performance ensuring stakeholder satisfaction. Lovely words, which few seem to understand as we see on the field. Simply said it is about values and building youth to be responsible citizens. Rugby talks of Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline and Respect. The difference of the two is about how you see and interpret.
Different people perceive sport differently. A physical education is necessary. As obesity grows, the need for physical education is necessary. When it comes to competitive sport at school, people perceive differently. To a not so athletic student he would be happier more relieved and less bothered and would love being involved if the factor of win or losing was not present. Try telling this to some parents and some old boys they will yell blue murder, as we need to win all shields or that shield or this shield.
School sport is never wholly about winning and losing; but we should not pretend that both of these aspects are not important motivators for some children and should play a part in school life.
“The key thing is developing the whole child who is prepared for life and work,”
I read, “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw a stone at every dog that barks.” Probably I should take heed to this when I am writing but have to be vary about some dogs that bark but have no bite.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB