Preaching and practicing ‘Keeping Rugby Clean’
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The basics in any field, even in Rugby, is all about nurturing the juniors - File pic
The International Cricket Council feels “Sri Lanka’s cricket administration is corrupt from top to bottom”, screamed the media in Sri Lanka and elsewhere where cricket matters. The media added the Minister of Sports had been shown a confidential report on the matter at a Dubai meeting. That is Cricket, the game that has more national appeal. A notion created in the minds of people is that the Minister has taken the broom to hand with cricket being the butt end of jokes.
Thoughts for 2019 include that this was not rugby; a much popular game and has a wider following in the schools. But Rugby has been in the news because of another issue of misbehavior. Rugby is a very popular game and has a wider following in the schools.
Rugby has been exposed to practices that have been hitting the playing enclosure from time to time. These include the infamous fine by World Rugby, as well as issues that have plagued, become a player in the form of misbehavior or abuse. Match fixing is talked of in whispers, but is yet to be confirmed as existing.
It was not long time ago that we had issues of using performance enhancing substances that attracted sanctions in the form of players being banned. The vigilance and culture of awareness that a player is responsible for what is in his system I believe has had its influence as we have not heard of detections in recent times. The continued vigilance and education is what will keep the game clean as there is a thrust by World Rugby to “Keep Rugby Clean”. On the other hand any perceived relaxation may result in players forgetting that it is hard work that takes you to the top and not short cuts. Education needs to continue as young blood enter the field each year and can be victims of vultures who offer better performance through enhancement.
Abuse of match officials has been an issue in the past. The most recent was an assault on a assistant referee. The complaint that referees are making mistakes is common. This resulted in a foreign referee being called to officiate a key first round game. Did this help the cause of the club that asked for a referee from another society of referees. Talking to some who asked for a man from elsewhere they now think we would have known the weak areas of a local. That is not the point I wish to stress but that the abuse of referees too is a part of misbehavior. With the social media available at the push of a button, mistakes are circulated to a wider forum who add their opinion. It is much the same as the broadcaster who emphasizes that it is a very clear instruction when the talk is probably saying as I see and not as in the words of the law.
The third aspect of misbehavior comes in the form of harassment, which is sexual as well as non sexual. Even comments on diverse people, who form the core of rugby are a form of misbehavior. In highlighting a recent issue one needs to look at the wider implication and interest arising from the issue. The point is not who is responsible and whom a wild stone will hit, should not be the aim. This is not a moment to take on the anger bottled inside because of a practice that is common to most schools.
On the other hand people should not be fishing for older issues, that were swept under the carpet, to justify the current issues. It did happen and that it is not a reason for it to happen again.
As was stated in this column last week, the Schools Section did voice their concern on the inclusion of this player as he was not seen at practices. If seen, he was sitting on the sideline. Since this was not the only side using the grounds for practice many others were privy to the players attitude as described by those who had noticed. The question is who was then responsible for selecting and also appointing him as the captain. That is where you have to sing “hang down your head Tom Dooley”. Statues are beautiful and can be wonderfully sculptured. But can you give life to a statue. Is this what happened on the appointment.
Another issue is the report in the media that they are in possession of an email which is an inspired leak. If so who is responsible for this leak? That is more important than crucifying the offender. The issue cannot be swept under the carpet as this is in the interest of the game. But the human being has to be handled with care.
This issue takes a twist and a turn as no body knows what exactly happened but the value addition goes on while it is said to be a butt squeeze. Then the question asked is whether the host country would have taken such a hard stand and the adjectives are added to make it a hard on.
An official communiqué in the form of an explanation by the authorities involved in administering the game would have laid the issue to rest in the minds of some while the doubting Thomas’ would have continued.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, Coach and an Accredited Referees’ Evaluator IRB