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No place for paper roses
Rugby needs more competent referees...
By Bernie Wijesekera
If the game of rugby is to make headway then there should be competent referees, who know the laws of the game and should be able to act without fear or favour.
The Referees Society no doubt is posed with a problem to have men of ability with a professional background to blow the whistle. Especially school rugby in the just concluded season. They suffered a lot as a result. Even the linesmen too were found wanting. Today the game is embracing over 100 schools.

There should be sub-unions in every province, to cater to their needs. Have they taken an initiative towards this end? In 2001 the inauguration of the Referees society took place in Kandy under the auspices of the former President of Referees Society, Brig. Japana Jayawardena.

There may be improvements in some areas, but still they have to get their act-together. They must be educated to maintain a high degree of impartiality when blowing the whistle. They have to forget about other issues - club, school loyalties or even personal problems. This needs self belief in themselves and mental toughness.

But, how could they achieve this when they are involved in coaching teams and interested in their respective school's achievement? Apparently some of them sit on the bench. This was evident apparently in the school games when they interfere with their (buddies) the linesmen - pertaining to time for the long whistle in a close contest.
These attributes are due to their coaching assignments and to win at all cost.

The President of the Referees Society, Tony Amit, is handling the coaching of CR&FC. Of course he's not blowing now. Anil Jayasinghe (coaching Trinity's Second XV), Nizam Jamaldeen, is Royal's assistant coach to Chandana Abeygunawardena, Priyantha Gunaratne (Katugastota Antonians) and D. Nimal (Carey College), S.W. Chang - a Div. I Ref. He is not blowing at present but serves as a consultant to Wesley, giving a lot of his time for the development of the sport. Mahinda Jayawardena is assistant coach of S. Thomas' Mt. Lavinia.

No doubt active referees are inadequate considering the large amount of matches. Even assigning of touch judges are found wanting. Here again the schools suffer most. In its wake apparently unruly elements raise their ugly head.

A good example in the just concluded schools season was between Isipathana and Wesley at Havelock Park. The game was furiously fought out with no quarter given and none asked. Wesley were on the verge of pulling it off. A blatant lapse took place on the part of the linesman, who showed a blind eye when the player fell short of the line before he touched down. When questioned by Ref. Samrath Fernando, he said he played in the Isipathana team last year. One can't blame the lad, but the organisers. Wesley lost the game, but took it in the correct spirit. For them the game was more important than the final outcome. Otherwise it could have been a holocaust.

The Referees Society must have a vision to look into the future and improve their levels, with better professional outlook. Men of integrity and the ones, who command respect and who have played the game should be harnessed. Not those with paper qualifications. But certainly not the referee cum coaches who apparently, in the end, could lead to match-fixing as rugby is so competitive.

Jude takes the whistle It's heartening to note that former Sri Lanka player Jude Dimitri, has decided to take to the whistle. The game needs many more like him to join the scrum than be on the touchline and be arm-chair critics.

OWSC 'sixes' to give lesser known schools a chance to compete
The idea behind the Old Wesleyites S.C. organising the popular schools cricket tournament is to give the less privileged schools an opportunity of matching their skills against their seasoned counter- parts from the metropolis, said the Principal of Wesley, M.A.P. Fernando at the media briefing held at their clubhouse, to outline the 11th annual Lemonade trophy six-a-side tournament sponsored by Ceylon Cold Stores.

Fernando said, there were quite a number of schools even from Jaffna, Batticaloa and Anuradhapura districts taking part. Even this year too they will be here. These teams will be accommodated at the College hostel. Put aside playing cricket, it will help bring about understanding, togetherness and know the cultural ties among respective races. Via sports we could bring about reconciliation Fernando said. Already 12 teams have confirmed their participation. The organisers will accommodate 24 teams - including three teams from the districts. Entries will close on Sept. 14 and the draw will be held on the 21st.

The two-day fiesta will be held on Sept. 27 and 28. The smaller schools may be grinding hard for survival on and off the field. Of course they possess guts and determination. They should be given all encouragement to come into surface.
Laksiri Wickremage, the Marketing Director CCS said, that they were proud to continue with this popular Lemonade trophy 'Sixes' organised by the OWSC. Its present President, Parakrama Wijemanne and his committee is continuing the good work.

It has gone from strength to strength since its inception. In keeping with the policy of corporate social responsibility of the John Keells Group - Lemonade, a soft drink with a soothing flavour, is a drink for all sportsmen to quench their thirst. CCS will help promote sports at grassroots level. It has spread its wings far and wide to help harness hidden talent, Wickremage concluded.

Last year's champions were Lumbini M.V., and runners-up, De Mazenod Kandana.
Immediate past President, Capt. Navin de Silva, former Sri Lanka left-arm fast bowler L.R. Gunatilleke, Raja Sinnaturay and B.N. Jurangpathy too attended the confab.
All the leading schools are expected to take part in this fellowship tournament played for the right reasons to build peace and harmony among all races. -BW

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