Schools’ rugby slides deeper into the rut

The feeder system of the Rugby national grid, namely schools is sinking even deeper in to a quagmire of controversy. St. Anthony’s College who were demoted to the ‘B’ Division for allegedly infringing the rules, are seriously contemplating legal action.

The Sunday Times spoke to Antonian Rugby Trust Fund official Murshid Maharoof who said; “This is a grave injustice. At an Executive meeting held on the 29th of January 2006, Ananda’s Captain who was sitting for his ‘A’ levels for second time, was granted exemption because the officials said he had exceptional talent and was the captain. Our skipper was born in January and thus sat for his exam a year earlier. He merely got a letter from the university half way through the season. According to tournament rules this is not a punishable offence. In addition no school made a complaint against us. They should note that the Disciplinary Committee had only four members and you need seven to have a quorum. They produced a letter from a person who had made the complaint. We have a Grama Sevaka’s certificate to prove that no such person resides at the address given. Furthermore despite our best efforts we have not been able to trace this person. Nor did this person appear at the inquiry. In addition there was no letter from this person to substantiate his complaint. Thus if there is no complaint obviously no disciplinary action can be taken.”

Maharoof added; “This player is exceptionally talented and got three A’s at his exam. Also last year the exam was held in April instead of August. As in previous years if the exam had been held in the normal month this problem would not even have arisen. Another disturbing factor was that an official of St. Anthony’s was told by a member of the Schools Rugby Association before the inquiry that we would be allowed to play rugby but in the ‘B’ Division.”

Wesley was also demoted to the ‘B’ Division on disciplinary grounds. Principal M.A.P. Fernando said; “I do not want to comment on whether we are going to appeal the decision. I have to meet with the Board of Governors. It has to be a collective decision.”
Meanwhile the now infamous issue with regard to the Isipatana player continues to drag on. Spokesman for the Schools Rugby Association Kumar Rodrigo said that the Courts decision has been sent to the Secretary of the Education Ministry for a ruling. When asked about St. Anthony’s he said that the Antonians had merely requested for some documents from the disciplinary hearing.

Isipatana’s Principal K. A. D. Punyadasa said he it was not right for him to comment on the courts decision because an appeal has been lodged with the Supreme Court.

Upali Gunasekera the Royal Principal said that he had sent a letter to the Principal of Isipatana Vidyalaya advising him not to go beyond the rules. “Since this did not happen despite the fact that I am the former Principal of Isipatana and as the present Principal of Royal I felt that it was my duty to go to the higher authorities. The Courts ruling proves that my decision was right. Now it is up to the authorities. I am not going to go after any school. That was never my intention. I just wanted the rules to be adhered to,” said Gunasekera in conclusion.