Sports

Sports

Rugby has to produce a winner
By Vimal Perera
How will history remember today's leaders of Sri Lankan rugby, compared to those giants of the past? Going by the discussions of recent times the consensus seems to be "the organization of rugby is led by small thinking people who have failed to deliver what was required of them". The passage of time will either elevate or reduce their reputation depending on what will happen in between. A lot will have to be done to transform the body that administers when the new custodians of Sri Lanka Rugby take office, early, in 2005.

Power is when you never have to say sorry, suggested Machiavelli. The new executive of rugby will have many an opportunity to say sorry to move ahead than add further conflict to a game that has seen downfall in recent times.

The latest addition to the growing fraternity of critics is the President of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association. The utterances were easily dismissed, as speech making from school masters who are not qualified to opine and know nothing of the game. It is a sad reflection on leaders when those who are perceived not to know lay blame on the experts. When those you expect to be satisfied, with the leftover, start questioning something is really wrong. The mockery is that the future, of the younger rugby players, is in the hands of those labelled incompetent for arguments sake.

The gentleman of the schools who are described as technically weak are allowed a vote to determine the composition of the council as recognized by the SLRFU constitution. This is while the somewhat technically proficient referee's society does not have a vote.

The society prior to the AGM at a Special General Meeting adopted a resolution to amend its constitution to include a treasurer as they move forward to face the challenges of a changing environment.

The members, at the AGM, questioned the out going management and were critical of the way the issue of referee assault has been handled. Particularly the incident relating to the dastardly attack on their fellow member Jayesekera.. The members, at this meeting, expressed, that the society should have taken a stronger position as the governing body has been slow in handling the matter. The assailant roamed freely in rugby circuits whilst it took the Union 52 days to correspond with the international governing body: the IRB. Why was it that the ARFU in which territory the offender was supposed to be involved in coaching not informed initially the referees questioned?

There seem to be very little trust on the statements of the SLRFU and their action. The referees feel cheated and used by those who seem interested, only, in running a tournament. There is little or no credibility to their assurances.

Why were referees appointed for the subsequent Clifford cup knock out when there was no satisfactory handling of the issue of assault the referees questioned? What of the responsibility of the club the player represented. The members felt the heat on the issue was sidelined with the SLRFU taking action against the club over an issue of player cross over while the more dastardly act of referee assault and the player fleeing the country was swept aside. With the excitement of court action the club responsibility was forgotten. A good side step to help the club the referees accuse.

This matter is bound to surface again as the as the new Council of the SLRFU takes seat. The members urge for greater commitment and action from the governing body prior to the next season.

The new council will have most of those who served the previous year serving in different positions. The secretary will be new to the council. From what we hear the incoming President is already on the park and is trying to work out things through consensus and consultation. Hopefully it will not end up in compromise and chaos.

It would not be in the interest of the game to wait till history records your performance. You will have to evaluate the management on a day-to-day basis. In your interest and the future of the game a set of action plans and objectives should be in place as the year starts and performance measured. Maybe you could take a cue from current expectations of corporate governance by having a management and audit committee from those outside the council of members to review and report.

A few areas to be addressed could be: Lifting Sri Lankan Rugby from the bottom of the barrel where it lies now. Having a structure, that will build a healthy relationship, between constituent clubs and the governing body, without having to seek the help of courts. Prevent recurrence of a dastardly attack on a referee and the culprit leaving the country as the administrator's wake from their slumber to find that nobody seems accountable for the action of the player.

It is necessary that these issues be addressed till a plan developed out of a vision is in place. Else the spectator interest will drop. The sponsors will think twice. Without funds the game will suffer. The attraction of the sport will be reduced. The clubs will have to face hard times. The circle is vicious. We have to produce a winner to have hope.

Top