During the time the Kings were ruling Sri Lanka, there lived a famous court jester by the name of Andare. By his many tricks and witty jests he amused the king and the queen at all times of the day. Andare more known for is witty jests was also a poet. Yet very little has been written about him in formal history tough his exploits and episodes were of an exceptional kind. Why I thought of Andare is because the jesters of the Rugby Palace will I think be remembered for their pronouncements and not for the clownish acts they commit in the name of taking the game forward.
A few days ago I met a coach at a cocktail hosted by a bank. A professional in his field, rugby coaching is a pasttime for this ex Club captain. Yet as he talked of the game he seemed bitter and disappointed at the way the game is being turned into a comedy by those who have participated and contributed. One could excuse somebody who had no involvement other than for having watched a rugby match. Then being catapulted to the hierarchy by the politician.

Sri Lanka has plummeted to a new low in the Asian Circuit is a matter of concern if we think the development of the game and its standing at least in Asia is correlated. If there is no development and spread, the game is going to be with a few. Thus getting back to be termed elitist and earn the wrath of many. This is where the game seems to be heading as I read between the lines of recent pronouncements. At least look at what is happening in the game of cricket with many from the outstations getting into the national team

Those who have the game at heart look forward to an elected body in place and to salvage from falling out of grace by the international governing board. It has been announced that a SGM will be held to pass the constitution before the AGM is held in February. Talking to the present stakeholders, the provincial unions I gather that the new constitution as approved by the Attorney General has not been circulated. Why the provinces need a draft copy is because they believe the draft they approved has gone through more amendments and some possibly to satisfy individual requirements which borders on vengeance. I am made to understand by reliable sources that one such amendment is to define representation which will effectively keep out the provincial representation as well as representation of the Universities as well as the referee’s society. The idea being that those who may not meet the criteria can serve in the committees.

This together with changed voting criteria which if not accepted will lead to an impasse and possibly another claim to continue. What may happen to rugby in provinces such as North Western, Sabaragamuwa and even South if and when they cannot find people to meet the criteria? Then we may hear of a tongue in the cheek type of talk like “we will send somebody and possibly from Colombo”. What will happen to Sabaragamuwa who have contributed with so many players for the National team and the elite clubs and schools?

The university is a vital element in rugby in their desire to spread the game in many countries on Asia. Japan for instance is developing an academic programme for rugby. Professor Yuichi Ueno high performance manager of the JPRFU plays a vital role in the developing the study programme. They also play very serious inter-university games which were concluded a few days ago. We in Sri Lanka it seems is traveling in the wrong direction. These changes when you look seem be to keep certain people out because somebody does not like the face. This is where the punch line is ‘the inability to separate individuals “from the process and act according to the requirements to take the game forward.
The main issue that needs to be addressed and sorted out is having the elections and avoids being cut off by the International Community. Thus if sanity does not prevail we may be out if the game. A long history of one hundred years in Rugby we seriously must consider to preserve the game and the council in the days to come.

Neil Wijeratne in his book Rugby across the straights presents an account of the Formation of the then Ceylon Rugby Football Union which has an history of over 100 years

“When Ceylon played the first ever international on 12th September 1907 against the New Zealand All Blacks at Havelock’s race course in Colombo , upon a guarantee fee it resulted in a prohibition imposed a ban in England on its member countries from playing representative rugby . As a result an Australian state rugby team passed through Colombo on their way to England without playing a limb loosner in Ceylon. Then it appeared that the formation of a rugby body affiliated to the mother union in Colombo is the only solution in inviting foreign teams to play in Colombo on their brief stopover at the Colombo Port. Thus in August 1908 a historic meeting at the Grand Oriental Hotel with representative from Colombo Uva Kandy Dimbullla Dickoya and Kelani Valley and a representative of UVA was elected the first President of the Ceylon Rugby Foot ball union”.

Ironically it seems that those representing the forefathers at today’s game are the likely ones that may lose out