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| RUGBY IN CRISIS |
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The recent Media Frenzy that took rugby football by storm as would the ravaging Tsunami was tapering away to enable the administration to stitch together the frayed fabric of a glorious sport rendered impotent and shattered of late thanks to outside meddling and wanton interference of its administration.
The dying embers of the recent drama including boycott of payers rebelling against the established order, sacking and resignations of selection committees and a host of similar hindrance to good management has been rekindled by another analyst of the game. In a scathing attack reported exclusively in the Sunday Times, November 23, 2008 he has taken the administrators of the game including the Minister apart alleging a serious crisis that has beleaguered rugby. Commenting on the current chaos and turbulence that has trapped the game in a tail spin, he has accused the administrators including the Minister for Sports, the President of the SLRFU and others of gross mismanagement. Once again the Lewkes seem the cynosure of attention for crucifixion.
In the recent weeks the media was inundated with numerous views and public opinion portraying the apathy of the administration of one of the most popular sports in our country which has earned international fame in recent times. It is unfortunate that politics, avarice and mafia style invasion of the system appear responsible for the prevailing impasse. The 2008 Asiad in Taiwan has come and gone. Sri Lanka acquitted itself creditably with the controversial Dushanth Lewke demonstrating his skills both as a player of exceptional aptitude and an astute captain. I believed that the attendant problems that plagued the SLRFU and the Ministry were resolved with our participation in the recently concluded Asiad 2008. It is well to put petty squabbles behind us and move on for the sake of the future of the sport.
In an exclusive interview with a sports editor of The Sunday Times Lasitha Gunaratne, of Mahanama/Royal, a reputed ruggerite as well a onetime rugby selector and a member of the current National Sports Council has taken me as the President of the SLRFU to task emphasizing inter alia of undue influence he wields over the selection of National teams including it's captain.
The selection of young Dushanth to lead the National team at the Asiad 2008is a case in point alleges Gunaratne who insists the appointment was solely due to the influence of Lewke Snr. The allegation per se smacks of malice and ill will. Indeed, it is in poor taste and one wonders whether Gunaratne was judging others by his own standard. What is the criteria or the qualification for these positions and what is the experience Gunaratne possess to be selected for these position other than the kinks and claimming relationship to the Minister of Sports and the political hierarchy in the country.
I say so with a sense of responsibility because I am fully aware of Mr. Gunaratne's background and I must contest that Dushanth does not need my support to play for Sri Lanka or to be considered for other positions as his achievement over the years have proved beyond doubts.
Gunaratne also refers to the much publicized boycott of pool practices by some Kandy Players who were pulled into line by a Ministerial directive. In the recent weeks a great deal of debate was generated over the boycott of Kandy Players and the selection of Dushanth to lead the National Team to Taiwan. The intervention of the Minister put paid to the matter before it assumed further discomforting proportions especially on the eve of an International commitment.
It was a dead issue insofar the general public but for some strange reason the matter has been revived once again for public consumption targeting us in the process. Hence to anyone it seems a subtle maneuver to embarrass us to which the public would be disinterested.
The impelling reason for my views of the escalation of this predicament with the Minister taking centre stage is not in defense of the Lewke's' but rather in defiance of truth and justice especially when such words seem to have lost its meaning.
In the article under review, Gunaratne brings into focus two salient issues which have been adequately dealt with in the relative commentaries contributed by stalwarts who graced the field of rugby and knowledgeable men renowned for decorum and professionalism and rebutted by me.
Firstly, Gunaratne alleges that five players including Dushanth Lewke was released by the SLRFU Council for the 2007 World Cup but in sharp contrast the Union took exception to the lads who willfully boycotted the pool practices in preparation for the 2008 Asiad. Gunaratne alleges double standards. It is unfortunate that Gunaratne, who professes vast experience in the game, does not seem to have the capacity to distinguish the two occurrences where in the case of the former, the payers were released on the recommendation of the coach and consensus reached within the Council, whereas in regard to the latter the boycott was a stark rebellion and indiscipline. The less said, the better. Indiscipline in any sport is non negotiable - period.
It is a shame then that Mr. Lasitha Gunaratne has focused his sights on Dushanth and his selection as the captain and the alleged interference of Lewke senior in the selection process. Both assertions are an affront to both men who have by sheer dint of hard work and performance has proved our prowess as a player cum captain, and an administrator respectively.
We must protect this young man from those who revel in destroying young talent. Dushanth’s record speaks volumes both as a schoolboy who excelled for Royal and his Country, having represented Sri Lanka for five consecutive years in the starting line up without ever been replaced. A recipient of the coveted Crown for the outstanding sportsman at Royal College and a coloursman of College, Vice Captain of the Team that holds the unenviable record of scoring an aggregate of 83 points in the renowned Royal/Trinity Bradby Shield. Further, he represented Sri Lanka at two junior Asiads and 2001 Youth World Cup in Chilie, Senior Asiads 2004 in Japan and 2007 in Sri Lanka, his experience by representing a Division One Team in New Zealand Taranaki Province for two consecutive years have proved his ability as a international figure, he has scored 11 tries for CR & FC in the 2008 season and this achievement as a forward is incredible. He was picked by the IRB Coordinator for Asian Region to play professional Rugby in Japan after the outstanding leadership qualities and skills that he displayed by leading the Sri Lanka President 15 team against Dragons and Singapore, 2008. Further more he is a graduate of Edith Cowan University and not a Wheeler Dealer who is holding on to the apron string of politicians for his survival. Hence, Gunaratne is well advised to peruse the Resume of Dushanth and then determine for himself the contention of the National captaincy and Gunaratne can suggest a better candidate if there is any.
The mere suggestion that the appointment of Dushanth was the upshot of his father's influence as the President of the SLRFU is a downright insult as I have made a monumental contribution to the game as a player, a referee, a national coach and the incumbent President of the SLRFU and former ARFU/President.
Gunaratne also claims that Nimal Lewke and his Council Members dictated benchmark or criteria to the selectors in the choice of the National team including its captain. The very suggestion seems bizarre and an outcome of fantasy as the matter was thoroughly explained in the recent media release by me with documentary evidence and a related Ministerial Circular setting out guidelines for team and captain selections.
Gunaratne said in the past the notable errors committed were things like the changing of the voting system, then Kandy SC buying over players from the Colombo Clubs. It is no point wasting time to counter Gunaratne's observation on this matter since Gunaratne has no knowledge of Rugby administration or management.
The proposal to amend the constitution is a case in point. It is not a wheeler dealer system done at the behest of any individual or a group.
In the final analysis it is sincerely hoped that in the interest of this great game and for the sake of our youth who have demonstrated infinite potential, that people leave the Minister and the administrators to manage its affairs.
This will be the final word as far as the matter is concerned as we have proved beyond doubt that selectors have taken a correct decision without favouring any one, and I do not expect to debate on this matter any more.
- Nimal Lewke |
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