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Threat or no threat it’s another comedy
By Vimal Perera
Walking to the Sharjah Wanderer’s stadium where some of the Under19 World Championship Rugby matches were being played I came across this notice “Parking, use backside”. In other places it was “Extra parking, backside”. The message is understood. People park the vehicle in the rear. The need is to convey and be understood. If you keep arguing that the English is bad you will not get anywhere.

It appears that in the case of rugby, in Sri Lanka, the message seems not to be understood. At most times it is some issue or other. The extent to which we find technical reasons for not initiating action, or for not taking action or for changing the action taken are many. Why is it that twenty three players have written to the President of the country? The importance of the game has not been understood. The happenings in Sri Lanka rugby are sometimes hilarious at other times focused. The recent issues with regard to the threat on Simpkin are one such. There is nobody who has heard anything and there is nothing that could have been done.

It may be that in future the officials will have to first see an ENT specialist who can certify they have no sinus and can therefore smell. They are not short of hearing and therefore can perceive sound. Then to an eye specialist who can vouch that they are not blind and therefore they could see.
The authorities will have to indulge in some serious self criticism. True the council has done better in many ways than before. When people become public figures they are not judged by, what they have done but by what they have not done. Before players lose confidence you have to find out why and correct same. This will help the game and set a standard for the future. An excuse that the alleged culprit is a sevens player and does not affect the fifteens game is not enough.

The stubborn fact is that there has been a rebellion. They have put their name on paper. One cannot any longer say that nobody has come forward. Appoint a fact finding committee and get to the bottom of the story. You have to be proactive and not reactive. An independent arbiter will be more likely to be able to get some information. This will give trust to the people who have complained. There are qualified and recognized persons who handle issues of this nature. This will shed more light. It will put the record straight for both parties and be fair by all.

Simpkin is back and practices have begun. That is not the end of the story. Action need to be taken where due. The Simpkin story is not only in Sri Lanka. Others are aware of it whether in Hong Kong or the Emirates. There will always be people who want to fish in troubled waters. The Unions responsibility is to see to that there is no room for such.

There is a long way, if Sri Lanka is to climb high in the Asian circuit. The team and the council must have time to focus on their mission. Discipline at all levels is a must. The game must take precedence over all else.
Discipline was strictly practiced during the Under 19 World Championship. There have been a number of players suspended on being cited, The last being a Korean who has had an eight week ban for kicking an opponent. He did not go free on the basis that the referee did not see. On being cited he was punished.

The under 19 World Championship also sees the on going campaign of “Keep Rugby Clean”. The emphasis is on anti-doping. On the 12th of April all players’ team management, officials, referees and tournament staff wore a T-shirt with the message keep rugby clean.

The need to be professional in all aspects is there than ever before. It is not only the playing and refereeing aspect that must be looked into. Areas of administration and management have to be improved with more education to those involved.

Simpkin, who is he somebody might ask. Most of the men the International circuit who I have met know Simpkin. They are aware of the issue. Threat or no threat publicity is bad business.

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