Rugby, without ‘Football’, should be no less appealing
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The was a time when Sri Lanka players had SLRFU and SLR crests on either sides of their playing jerseys - File pic
I see the Asian 7s Series 3rd Leg match to be played in Colombo and the Club League to commence. I take a walk and ask why people want to follow Rugby? I was told the SLRFU will change the name to Sri Lanka Rugby, dropping the word ‘Football’, which was dropped by the World governing body years ago, probably, close to a decade. Dropping ‘Football’ from the name keeps the game’s name in line with world trends.
Probably the name change will be made effective at the general meeting to amend the constitution, which I read as the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union. Let us keep these nuances apart and try to answer the question why people want to follow Rugby and continue to do so?
The kids are more involved in playing video games, which I see being fingered even in public places? At times, they display an absence of etiquette, playing games even at a family gathering or a kid’s birthday party. The love for video games will be because it is more fun than the rigorous training for Rugby, as well as the grueling game on hand. To counter this, game and practice need to be fun for the participant. When so much is spent on coaches and other attending staff, and the cry is to kill for a win, will coaches concentrate more on non-pressure skill drills and un-Rugby behaviour, as against practising in an environment of fun.
Rugby’s following tell me that, to continue, the fun must be at practice, which will then follow into the game. The need for fun at practice and in games, whether watching or playing, is required more than before. I am reminded of a comment made by American Amy Pefors writing to MIT.edu: “She watches Rugby because the game is skilled and elegant. This might surprise many people who don’t know the game, and see only a bunch of people on a field bashing into each other”. That bashing is on the field and to a set pattern within the field. There is no problem, as that is what excites, and there are laws to follow and a referee to ensure it is followed.
This has stepped beyond the field and to the stand, making me to ask whether Rugby is an elegant game to be followed. We saw this happening during last schools’ season. But the action and or punishment have been pseudo, with little or no deterrent. I might be persuaded to think that it becomes somewhat jocular and it is not new. It has happened in the past and may happen again, as jokers are galore. I read recently, a call from fans and Rugby writers on social media, asking the Union to protest against the referee, for awarding a try in the final of the First Leg of the Asian 7s. Typically, what Sri Lanka protests are about the – Referee? Damon Murphy, the Australian is a name in the new World Rugby Series 7s panel.
So is Hashimoto from Japan, who refereed the Second Leg final. Can anybody see where we are heading, with the culture that is built to protest at all times about the referees, even if they are among the world’s best? Ask the simple question, “Will the game continue to be elegant?” An article on why Rugby is better than Football states, “Rugby fans are a great bunch; we all seem to be capable of getting on in the biggest of games without a need of a hefty security presence. The fact that, even in most competitive games, opposing fans are able to sit next to one another without segregation, only helps to improve the good natured banter.
Respect in Rugby is not confined to fans, as Rugby players at least have the decency to listen to the referee and to do as they are told, rather than sending a barrage of abuse at him. There is less chance of seeing Rugby players diving, feigning injury or attempting to con the referee. A fact is that, a player might likely try to manipulate the referee by pretending not to be hurt. Rugby is an all inclusive game, where it does not matter what size or shape you are, there will always be a spot in the team for you.” Most of what has been said above, which is positive in Rugby, are almost all negative in Sri Lanka. The security presence seen in the recent past makes one wonder whether the so called war is over.
I think the club season will see a change to foster the game to one that is demanded as a sport to follow? There should be no need to practice a form of apartheid for your supporters and our supporters. The divide among spectators prevalent in almost all school matches, should not change in the club season, where spectators, no matter who they cheer, will mingle and enjoy the banter. The other should be the post-match camaraderie among players, which needs to be on show. The mentality carrying the post-match “bath packet” needs to be changed. The game, otherwise will meander to another level that is not what Rugby is about, but was a part of Football that earned a bad name locally, as well as abroad. It is not about raising the bar, but trying to reach where it was.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB