Rugby clubs to get back voting rights
Former Royal College, CR&FC and Sri Lanka forward Lasitha Gunaratne was renowned for bulldozing his way through opposing defences during his playing days. As a prop forward, his hulking frame was used as a battering ram to break the hearts of defenders. He proved that rugby was not all about brawn as he enjoyed similar success as a tear-away number 8.
Gunaratne has had a roller-coaster ride since taking over as President of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) two years ago but he is determined to leave a lasting legacy before his term ends even if he has to take the bull by its horns to achieve his objectives.
One of the far-reaching changes he has proposed to the SLR Technical Committee, headed by Ajith Abeyratne, is to bring in constitutional amendments to grant voting rights to the clubs.
“Clubs will be recognised as Council Members of SLR. Now it is the Provincial Union who have voting rights. In order to encourage ‘A’ Division clubs to field more teams, one vote each will be given if they have ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ divisions, Under-23 and another for having a women’s team. The provincial system will be in place. But clubs will have direct voting rights,” he said.
Gunaratne has got the backing of former SLR President Malik Samarawickrama, who was instrumental in starting Provincial Unions in the 90s in an effort to promote the sport island-wide.
“I want clubs to be recognised. With Dialog Axiata PLC coming in, we can do lot of development for the schools in provinces. Having one minister in charge of Sports and Education also helps. Provincial unions can do their development work. The aim is to isolate clubs from provinces. The aim is to encourage clubs to have more teams. Kandy has only one team. If they want more votes, they should field more teams. It will also be an incentive for the Forces and Police,” explained Gunaratne, who is pushing for amendments in the Sports Law as well, to allow those who have not played the game to sit in the Council.
“There is no proper representation in the Council for the Chairman of Rugby in the Forces. The Army Rugby Chairman, for instance, cannot come to our council meeting. CH&FC Chairman, Shammi Silva also cannot attend our meetings because he has not played rugby. We have to change the Sports Law. They cannot become office-bearers but they should not be denied to attend council meetings. Even the Referees Society we can’t keep them out. The President or Secretary can represent whether they played or not because they are decision making people in the council,” said Gunaratne, who wants the SLR Council to be more inclusive and consist of people with vision.
He was more blunt in his criticism of referees but also blamed clubs for not playing the game in the true spirit.
“I feel the referees are not updated on the laws of the game. Their interpretations of laws are different. There is no uniformity. It is totally an issue of Referee Coaches. Over 70 per cent don’t know the law. They read (laws) as per their understanding and they watch the video. This is not the correct way. When you read the law to a certain extent you get knowledge. It differs from a small word or comma. They study by watching video. They think they understand by watching video,” he said.
“Our interpretation of laws is very weak. There is no uniformity. Even if there is a mistake, there should be uniformity. Say for instance the advantage law, some play advantage immediately, some take a long time to give advantage. Consistency and uniformity is important,” reiterated Gunaratne, who suggests that an expert educator be got down to handle a minimum of six referees.
He also wants the practice of reviewing matches by the SLR Match Review Committee to be stopped because it doesn’t serve any purpose.
“There is no such review system in the world. They review themselves. After the match, that is it. We have gone one step ahead. Sometimes it’s not correct also. You can’t overturn decisions. At the end of the review meeting we are not getting anything. Only thing that happens is the referee will get upset. The SLR Review Committee and Referees Committee will fight. The club, who is complaining, will take advantage by going to the media and engage in a witch hunt. No one is gaining. We have started this in good spirit but no one is taking it in a good spirit,” said Gunaratne, who is also Tournament Committee Chairman.
“When we listen to what everyone has to say, I can’t come to a conclusion this is the correct way but I can come to a conclusion that everyone is wrong because three people say three different things. It’s a waste of time. They (referees) don’t learn from mistakes. Clubs are just slinging mud on the referee. They don’t want to educate anyone. The whole purpose will be lost. We have done in good faith. Nowhere in world you have this Review Committee after a match,” he added.
If the review system is to work, he felt both teams should present their views.
“The winning team doesn’t complain or review. We only see one side of the story. When you analyse, the referee has made mistakes for both sides. The referee is not cheating, it is the knowledge and interpretation. Both teams should send a review, not only the losing team,” stated Gunaratne, defending the match officials.
“For instance if Police SC send after watching video replays and if the referee’s decision is correct, there is something wrong. After watching for hours with others, if they find 12 mistakes out of which only six are right, that means even after watching replays they can’t get it right whereas the referee has to give instant decisions. We have to see whether it is a mistake or cheating. That is his capacity. Assistant Referees also should give support by communicating and give him confidence. They are also to blame if the referee is at fault,” he pointed out.
Gunaratne also clarified that they abided by the Disciplinary Committee decision to suspend CR&FC.
“If a team is expelled (from a tournament), only you can take points out from their ‘for and away’ matches. The Disciplinary Committee says ‘suspended from further participation’. So up to that point they have all the right to have that privilege (of retaining points). For example, if someone gets caught copying in the Advance Level exam you don’t expunge his Ordinary Level exam results,” said Gunaratne, having the final say to his critics.