Two teenagers arrested for unlawful behaviour were taken to the police station. The sergeant advised them that they were entitled to one telephone call. Half an hour later a man entered the police station.

“I assumed you are the kid’s lawyer?” thundered the sergeant. “No way said the man. I am here to deliver a pizza.”

This I feel is the way the interim committee for rugby in Sri Lanka is squandering away the chances it has to regain the lost prestige by making best use of the opportunities the “Carlton Sevens” has to offer.

I say this as I see the bill boards that have sprung around the streets. I think of the possibilities that are available as I listen to the Radio as I travel to and from work. I dream as I relax at home and watch television as they speak of the “Carlton Sevens.” As you read this column you would know whether all the good work that has been done by young hopefuls has had an impact. It is a propaganda blitz that is expected to take it to the people. Yet as at Thursday when the people asked about tickets nobody seemed to know. That is not the fault of those who are marketing the game but of those who are administering the game.

Whether the participation of teams from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and Western Samoa, has been able to create enthusiasm among the rugby loving public is the question. Whether or not the legends of rugby performed is not to satisfy the supporters but whether they get the environment to enjoy rugby, is on test. It is not just rugby but whether the International governing body recognizes Sri Lanka as a worthy venue is the test.

On the other hand can the host nation, lying below India in Asian Sevens circuit, redeem lost prestige even though this is not a ranking tournament? The chances at the time of writing this article seemed slim. Given the very ordinary showing in Shanghai one would have expected Sri Lankans to be more prepared. Yet it did not seem as it was a concern of the body that is interim as they kept wrangling with the full stops and commas. To the administrators it was the need to put their best foot forward so that players too could put on a good show. Unfortunately going into this tournament we are once again left questioning the preparation of the Sri Lankan squad.

We still seemed to be battling with an exalted ego as some of the best are kept out being suspended. The outcome for the national team was unimportant; the process of fulfilling the pride of empty vessels that make big noises was the order of the day.

As the caravan moved along and some dogs bark the merry men keep issuing dictums as the game heads to it’s downfall. Whether or not what I say has any bearing will be known as we finish the day. To get back to my opening paragraph it is a comparable situation that exists in the game of rugby. When opportunity knocks on your door the pangs of egoistic hunger takes precedence and blurs the wider vision. Result is well known as simply the confusion that on a rebel among the banned players attended practice and has been selected to play as reported in the daily press. The administrators as in the past, feign ignorance on the basis of I did not know. Then who is supposed to know? Is it the bottle seller, the postman, the milk man or the baker?

It seems that if they are there not to adorn office but for the office to adorn them. The many who hang around and others who join those who are hanging around will have the chance to claim the baby. In life all does not go according to plan if there is nobody taking responsibility.

My gut feeling is that there will be games that would be interesting but the environment may not be conducive. What can we as the consumer do about it? Like you are the consumer for the basics of life here too you will have to grin and bear. Ours is not o question but to grin and bear as the political masters know what is good for the masses. Did somebody ask whether the elections will save the game? Which elections are we talking the SLRFU or the country. We are either doomed or will find a new messiah as the President designate returns after meeting the masters of the game: The IRB. Does it matter and who is this IRB as thought is injected to the process by the new additions to the “cuckoos nest”. Whether the game is dead or dying is what we have to wait and see.

Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB