The ticking bomb of Schools’ Rugby – Whatever will be, will be
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After a lapse of nearly two months, school rugby is back on track - file pic
Schools Rugby was like a ‘ticking bomb’. On your marks, ready, steady and go, after a few false starts. It was that, all matches to be played at the Sugathadasa Stadium, as agreed at a meeting attended by Masters-in-Charge (MIC) of Rugby. Other stakeholders had many questions that needed answers. Discussions continued and on May 24, with the Ministers of Education and Sports and Principals in attendance, it was decided on playing Round 2.
The text book discussion of the ‘ticking bomb’ problem revolves around issues faced by people thinking about torture. The wait was akin to torture for the boys as well as parents and old boys. Other than security, there were many ingredients that had to be mixed together, to start the ticking.
The ‘ticking bomb problem’ is often illustrated by a version, which asks us to put ourselves in the position of a senior Police officer facing a situation as under:
A terrorist group states it has concealed a bomb in London. The authorities have captured the leader of the group. He says he knows where the bomb is, but refuses to reveal the location.
Torture is guaranteed to produce the information needed, to ensure the authorities find the bomb.
Is it ethically acceptable for you to have him tortured, to find out where the bomb is, and thus save thousands of lives or, is it unethical to torture him, no matter how many die as a result?
That is why I think that School Rugby was like a ‘ticking’ bomb. Need to find out where to play and, when offered a place, there is always a story. Speculation was rife when teachers posted provocative comments on social media. It became worse, when talk was spread of MICs of Rugby being questioned. People feared a cat being let among the pigeons. On top of all these were the questions from those teams who were losing ‘Home’ advantage.
“Rearrange the dates” was the simple thinking of the schools’ MICs, when they sat to deliberate with the Authorities of Education, Defense and Sports. The bomb started to tick thereafter, once the message reached other stakeholders – the old boys.
Many opined they were losing the ‘Home’ ground advantage. Then, an issue was raised about the promised paddock being used by another school for practices. The other was, why not our ‘Home’ ground, if the Bradby can be played in the respective school grounds. Worst affected was St. Peter’s, who have 4 ‘Home’ matches, fighting with their tails up to challenge the unbeaten Joes. Some thought of shifting, after a few games at the Stadium. Others thought, if it is the Stadium, all should be at the Stadium. The Bradby 2nd Leg is a private match, and being played at Royal Grounds, is outside the equation. The questions did not end there, as there are other traditional matches in the Schools League.
Then somebody pointed that one school seemed to have got their fixtures for the 16.00 hour slot. This, as explained by the President of Schools Rugby, was not correct, as all Cup matches were scheduled to be played at 16.00 hours.
The go ahead for the Bradby to be played on ‘Home’ venue fueled the question of why deny the others. More political backing was rumored, as Royal has many, wondering whether to sink or swim in the surrounds of Diyawanna.
The beggars wound began to fester. The sponsors and branding was also an issue, if matches were not played on ‘Home’ grounds. They are an integral part of the huge Rugby budgets. The MiCs had no worry when they met the authorities, but those backing the schools, the old boys, had questions to ask.
Then, there were the views of the coaches. They were already in a state prior to getting ready for the kill or at peak performance. They were faced with a period of forced inactivity. This hampered practices planned in periods. The planned organisation includes training, practices, competition, rest and recovery, into blocks or periods, throughout a given period of time. They questioned how they are to fit in the lull between June and September, if there is a postponement. if not for the bomb, by June, players would have been in competition mode.
As it is, there is a need to re-invent, if the matches were to start early June. In the midst of it will be the Advanced Level examination. Students, for all purposes, would be in a pre-study mode, while others would be job hunting.
On May 24, the Principals met the Authorities and the decision was that they start Round 2 beginning May 31, and matches played on the respective ‘Home’ grounds, as was the original schedule. Will School Rugby 2019, in Sri Lanka, be the same as it was, prior to that fateful Easter Sunday. Brings to my mind the words of Doris Day.
When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty
Will I be rich
Here’s what she said to me
Que será, será
whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see
Que será, será
What will be, will be
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, Coach and an Accredited Referees’ Evaluator IRB