Sports

Sports

S. African officials work for the right
By Bernie Wijesekera
In whatever walk of life fine words are beginning to be translated into deeds in S. Africa after apartheid. They are trying to emulate Nelson Mandela's vision - one world, one earth, but different tongues. Equality to all be it black or white - a nation plagued by racial prejudices in the past. I took note of these things during my recent visit to South Africa made possible thanks to Singer Sri Lanka and Ceylinco Life.

Renewed efforts are being made to ensure that the under privileged (black sportsmen) are given every opportunity to pursue their careers be it football, rugby or cricket. Opportunities are afforded to the have nots which in turn could help them to improve their skill levels and thus pave the way to a professional contract.

There are playing fields aplenty well managed and floodlit - besides electronic scoreboards. Funds are being prudently handled for the right reasons.nIn Sri Lanka it's the other way around. Apparently some of the officials serving could be compared to political acolytes. They are not serving the sport but apparently going behind politicians to be in office. As a result at present Sri Lanka sport is not developing, but back-pedalling.

Two sports - namely cricket - made the cricket world sit up and pay attention after our stupendous effort to win the World Cup in 1996. Before that the tiny island was world renowned for producing the best beverage - tea.

Both cricket and rugby was introduced here by the colonial plantation fraternity - as a social pastime. Today both sports have suffered somewhat due to power-hungry politics.

Despite the on-going setbacks unlike in the past when the players spent their personal budgets to be in the game and uplift the country's image to reach international standards. Today the players are demanding more money despite their dismal performances.

Cricketers have formed a Players Association and are demanding for more perks at present with their pale ale performances. No doubt they have a right to demand, if they have shown consistency and putting the country before self. The players must play for the right reasons than being, too greedy for material gains.

The officials of the Players Association are making a case for more payment apparently and are made to look a laughing stock among the cricketing public for making such demands. They should do well to divert their attention to improve the lot of the less privileged as done in S. African and in other countries.

Abu Fuard, the former controversial official of the BCCSL once suggested that players should be paid on performance as a team. Apparently some sportsmen in some quarters have devalued themselves to easy money and have lost their levels and have even forgotton their past. Before long the Cricket Board will go bankrupt due to mismanagement. Even the Interim Committees which is being regularly changed like musical chairs have failed to stem the rot.

The IRB Trust has given a healthy £100,000 to help for the establishment of five academies to benefit black talented players - Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg etc. A rugby school for 17-19 age group which could help start a professional career for those concerned. Besides other life skills, too will draw attention in conjunction with the development of rugby skills. According to IRB Development Manager, Geoff Evans, is supporting the S. African RFU in their mission to create opportunities for players from disadvantaged areas, in S.A., to develop, at grassroots level. In the coming years it will help the S.A. national side.

Nearly 300,000 people of all ages play rugby across S. Africa and half of them now comes from the black communities. Evans says, that there is a huge explosion of talent from the school and youth level. There is a big overflow among the schools in Sri Lanka, too. What is happening here is that talent is wasted due to mismanagement and big talk by those, who run its affairs.

Apparently some of them be it rugby or cricket are more keen on making regular safaris. Those appointed to impart the fundamentals who could hardly run with the ball put aside punting ahead. Plans are just on white paper but never implemented. Where is the infrastructure. Presently rugby, the beautiful sport enjoyed by all on and off the field has hit rock bottom. Imagine losing to Thailand by 76 points. Those who could contribute much for the sport, shun for reasons best known to them.

There are people who could help with men and material of course if there is a professional managment and its affairs run by people that matter. Loyalty to schools and clubs - not going to serve the game at international level. On the eve of the forming of academies to help black players - former President Nelson Mandela (Mediba) gave his blessings to the scheme to show his support to the rugby community.

Rugby will always hold a place of pride for the role it played in nation building during the first years of our new democracy. Those memorable days in June 1995 when the S. Africans from all backgrounds took to the streets to celebrate national achievement after winning the World Cup. It must serve as an inspiration to the current and future generations. Rugby players are our role models to the youth of the nation, Mandela said.

According to my new found amiable S. African friend, Boyd Naidoo, who watched this great World Cup rugby final at Ellis Park he had a bird's eye view of this great happening. Mandela wore the No. 6 jersey and took the field before the match as an inspiration. Rugby, the beacon event must not be allowed to be fade away from the public memory, he said. The local politicians should strive to emulate the legendary leader, who fought for justice, freedom and democracy for all races to live with amity.

S. Africa, coming together as a nation to pool all resources to the benefit of sport nationally. Mandela's rallying call - was greeted with rounds of applause. Be it white or black - if they are good enough and have the ability there should be no impediment - should be given all encouragement to achieve their dream. Probably by the year 2007, Rugby World Cup - black players are going to be a tower of strength. In its wake may see a black captain leading the team and quite a number of players not in the squad but in the XV could be black.

What has Sri Lanka cricket or rugby has got to offer the less affluent drawn from the totems and to the youth in the remote rural areas in the South? Just a few bowsers of water and dry rations during a severe drought. A war of words is not a solution but must work for the right reasons to overcome the agony created by them on and off the field. We have to put the system in place and forget about other issues - be it in sports or otherwise. Dilip Kumar in Sydney is the first Asian to be the Deputy Chairman in the Australian Rugby Board.

He is prepared to assist his motherland's rugby administration, to be on par to international levels. No one thought or made any overtures of making use of his expertise. It was Dilip, who used his good offices to get the services of Ken Farrington to coach the Army team.

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