Kandy’s faltering dominance renews interest of Rugby fans
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I was told that there was a time when people watched Rugby that was intense and exciting. Then crept in a boring dominance by Kandy SC for a little over a quarter century. People groaned and moaned about losing players, but the story was the same. Kandy SC’s two recent losses appear to have woken some up from their slumber.
There is a lesson in Havelock’s performance, that it is not money and names that motivate. Havelocks with a low budget and despite the departure of players, have acquitted themselves with honour so far. It is now that there’s many a slip between the cup and the lip. Even if the Cup were to elude their hands, they have performed well.
Kandy SC, for some, is losing that fascinating aura it held in local Rugby. There is much rejoicing, as wine flows and trumpets blow in the Club house, as news breaks that the hill-country Club has lost another match.
The approach of recognising and respecting players is a key factor in their success, according to Coach Sanath Martis. It has been the difference to guiding a team to success. The approach is extended to include their near and dear, who are the immediate participants in the ecstasy and agony. They too, sacrifice time and energy, as much as a player. This brings to focus the factors that could motivate a sportsman.
The two-factor motivation theory of Herzberg revolves around hygiene and motivation. His research findings were that, motivators include challenging work, recognition of one’s achievement, responsibility, opportunity to do something meaningful, involvement in decision making, sense of importance to an organisation that gives positive satisfaction leading to motivation.
Hygiene factors, according to Herzberg, cause dissatisfaction, but are not motivators. Hygiene factors include status, job security, salary, fringe benefits, work conditions, good pay, but do not give positive satisfaction or lead to higher motivation. Dissatisfaction results from their absence. ‘Hygiene’ is used in the sense that these are maintenance factors often referred to as ‘KITA’. An acronym for ‘kick in the ass’: the process of providing incentives or threat of punishment to make someone do something.
The Park Club is reinforcing the motivation theory of Herzberg, as against the money factor that has been the bane of some clubs. Lying at the bottom are those 4 from the Services and Police, where ‘KITA’ is a dominant factor, as in war and law enforcement. It is not that talent is lacking, but it is about the missing link. Success cannot be taken in isolation. The ideal situation to be highly motivated is to have high motivation, plus high hygiene.
Another area that lacks motivating factors is in match officiating, also known as refereeing. Are Referees recognised for what they contribute to the games as in the past or, just looked at as a tool that performs a motor skill for a payment. Take a peep at the Presidents bar after a match. The Referees are huddled together, while the Club officials of the two sides are in conversation. Is the reluctance to mix a mutual one or, is it the perception of non or no recognition.
In the midst of hope through the Super Round where does each Club stand.
The fight for the Cup revolves around Havelocks, Kandy and CH&FC. This is based on the presumption that, even if CR&FC wins the next 2 matches, as well as the Super Round, they can have only 10 wins, as against 11 by the Park Club. On the other hand, if CH wins both matches in the coming 2 weeks, and also the Super League, then they could end up with 12 wins. A critical match for the week is the one between Havelocks and CH which will pave the way for the fight to continue, while, if Kandy beat CR or lose, it will be a 3-way contest in Round 3. If CH were to lose a match, it looks to Havelocks and Kandy. May be next time around, the Super Round should be for each team to play one another and 3 matches would make it more interesting.
It is speculated by those governing Rugby that, there has been a better spectator turn out with games closely contested, despite there being less quality Rugby on display. I watched a girl in her early teens, with a sponsor flag tugged under her arm, accompanied by an elderly relative, walking about looking for a vantage point at Havelock Park. She and the elderly relative seemed much engrossed in the game. Probably, the new interest people are talking about.
As the game progressed, I wondered whether the environment was conducive, as obscene comments were made at the Referee within hearing distance of these supporters and other females and children. After the game was over, a group of supposed supporters of the law enforcers Rugby team used much stronger obscenities, as they followed the Referee to the perimeter fence. Much to the embarrassment of the young girl and the elderly relative. The billingsgate language must have really spoilt their evening out.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, Coach and an Accredited Referees’ Evaluator IRB