Is rugby a dying game in Sri Lanka?

Sports

I was asked the question as to what I expected from all that I write in this column. That person was of the belief that nothing will ever come out of it. He went on to say that rugby was a dying game in Sri Lanka. So why not use your time and talent in another direction.

This is the view of Neil Wijeratne an ardent fan of rugby, rugby writer, critic and a former Honorary Recorder of the Sri Lanka Rugby Foot ball Union. Neil whom I have known from the time we entered the first year class was very skeptical in what he had to say and had many reasons for his conclusion that rugby is a dying game. It may not die but will continue like a man on life support: a veritable vegetable. Chief among concerns being that there is no cohesion of action to look to the future. More strongly explained by another diehard of the game; as an onward journey that is politicizing the game.

The reason for a diagnosis of this nature is because of what one sees from the symptoms that are unfolding. That is the inability to maintain to prevent the split that is surfacing in the fabric of development. The weave that has been in place in the name of development has stopped due to the lack of funds as alleged. Then some are of the view that there is no justification for such spending and the standby mode the provincial development is a welcome sign. No, it is not because there are no funds coming from the IRB!!!!


Anuradha Dharmatilleke	Saliya Hadapangoda

Arjun Dharmadasa and Kumar Abeywardena are two persons who have been in action since the SLRFU constitution was changed to have the provinces as its constituent members. Arjun has been a pillar of strength for Sabaragamuwa while Kumar has been the pilot in the Southern Province, the nursery for development.

I spoke to these two gentlemen who have spent a lot of time in spreading the game to the provinces concerned. I asked them about the role of development and what contribution has come from spending the IRB grant in populating the game in the provinces. Specifically as people claim that despite the spending they don’t see new clubs and the same numbers form the Western and Central Province continues be there.

They see this as myopic thinking and claim that there has been a 200% increase in numbers that have taken to the game since the development effort took into account the provinces. The game came to be understood and played by another segment of society: A social contribution in promoting sport. They have spread the game and set the foundation for players to emerge from the lesser known areas; to be leading players for clubs, schools and the country.

The pride of Sabaragamuwa includes five players who have represented the National team. viz; Anurahda Dharmatilleke. Budhdhika Thalgampola, Aruna Shantha and Saliya Handapangoda. They also very proudly say that the first provincial sportsman to Captain CR, Dharmatilleke, hails from Sabaragamuwa. Not to be outdone are the women of the province. Rukshani Ariyasena being the first Captain of the women’s national rugby team and is also the first Woman Referee. She is one among eight who have represented the women’s national team.

The Southern Province too has had input to the junior national team as well as providing players to the various top grade clubs in the country. Kumar believes very much in what he does and counts the geographical spread of the game in the south as a major achievement.

The present impasse they believe will take the development a step back as there is no effort to sustain and improve upon what has been done and thus the game is naturally on the decline if not dying.
Dharmadasa pointed out that Sabaragamuwa was an invitee to the recently concluded Carlton Sevens in recognition of the contribution they have made in the past by providing most numbers to the higher level. He also said that George Simpkin in extending the invitation did say that this was the truth and Sabaragamuwa deserves to be there in such an inaugural tournament.

While some may say that there has been no tangible benefit from spending money on the provinces those in the provinces do have a different view. What have you to say to the often quoted comment that despite the money that has been spent on the provinces that there has been no increase in the clubs that participate at the premier tournament? This question I posed to the two masters of the provinces.
Both had the same answer. There is an economic issue that does not make jobs available in the provinces to the players. So they use the opportunity to market them and to do better by getting to Colombo where the action is.

The reason to form an opinion that rugby is dying is a result of the current impasse where there has been a virtual stop to work in the provinces due to the non availability of funding. The reason for this is that Sri Lanka has been unable to get the funds that the IRB would normally be provided to develop the game in the provinces. Let us say we don’t need provincial development, we don’t need the funds from the IRB but what alternatives have been spelt so far? It seems nothing and we are at a dead end. Even if elections are held and development starts it is going to be a gigantic effort to start from where the link was broken.

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

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