This time it’s rugby chaos

Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge has this time summoned the Chairman of the Rugby Selection Committee Anton Benedict. This was in the wake of the axing of five players who went to France to watch the final of the Rugby World Cup.

When contacted by The Sunday Times Minister Lokuge said he had met both parties namely the members of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) and the Selection Committee. He said he had asked both parties to submit their relevant reports to him. He added that had the five players got permission prior to the Asiad being confirmed then they should not be left out. However, if they had known beforehand then the axing was justified.

Chairman of the Selection Committee Anton Benedict speaking to The Sunday Times said: “Members of the SLRFU went and met the minister without informing us. Later the minister’s Secretary summoned me. I met the Secretary and then the minister himself. I made my position clear and offered to resign if he wanted me to do so. The minister in turn told me that the whole country wanted me to remain.”

Benedict added: “It is rather ironic that first when I chose Dushan Lewke as player of the tournament at the knockouts I was accused of favouritism because he is Nimal Lewke’s son. I watched Kandy’s game against Havelocks and he more or less single handedly won the game for them. Now I am being accused of being a CR and FC supporter just because I am General Manager of the club. The fact is I only run the club and have nothing do with rugby matters.”

When asked about the players getting permission before the Asiad, Benedict said: “How can they say that. We picked the pool of 49 on August 31 and all the players were informed. I repeatedly asked for the training schedule from the coach. But he gave it to me only after the President’s Trophy. The schedule clearly stated the final squad and the stand byes would be chosen on October 20. I have nothing personal against any player. But there has to be discipline and commitment. When these boys told about going for the World Cup I clearly stated and gave it in writing that it was not valid excuse to miss training. If a person is sick, if an employer does not give leave or if a family member has to be attended do, then we can excuse the player concerned.”

He added: “Everybody must realise that the Asiad is like the World Cup to us. I have been to two World Cups and I can understand the desire to go for one. But not when the Asiad is near. If were to allow it where do we draw the line. I have coached the national team and six weeks of training is a must. How can they have individual training schedules when the team should be training together?. As far as I am concerned the game of Rugby is not for sale and on principle I cannot include the players who went for the World Cup. We will not be naming the captain because as you know the minister has to ratify the team and if he makes changes then there will be more controversy.”