 “A fallen lighthouse is more dangerous than a reef”. I keep recalling this quote of Navjot Singh Sidhu as I keep getting calls following my column of last week. Last week I wrote about a book just like the rugby jokes written in Sinhala. Inquiring about the book, the caller ends up saying “appropriate time to write about rugby jokes as the game is fast becoming a joke”. Why do people who have loved this game so much say this?
Some ask me why I have not commented more about the sevens team that was sent for the Commonwealth Games. I have not said much because they have not yet finished what they went for. When I ask some about the Sevens team they say don’t write. By some stroke of luck if they perform well you may be the joke. People take things so light as though talking of the game at the National level is cause for humor.
 When the political cronies in the form of an interim committee took charge of rugby in Sri Lanka one expected them to do what they were appointed to do. That is to pave the way to have the AGM. They surmised that rugby needs a new constitution and the bigger groups in rugby more popularly known as clubs should have a greater say. They have got what they wanted and what they believed is what rugby needs. The question that hangs now is this rugby wanted and needed.
Desmond Morris the author of naked ape says “"We are, to put it mildly, in a mess, and there is a strong chance that we shall have exterminated ourselves by the end of the century. Our only consolation will have to be that, as a species, we have had an exciting term of office." He was talking of the human species and we are talking of rugby and the quote seems appropriate. It is time for those at the helm of affairs to start thinking of who should be with them. The next annual general meeting is not far away. Some are only physically present. Others are always vocal but do little for the game.
The sickening rivalry continues. Not among one or two as in the past but with a few more added to the messy pot. If the appointment of an interim that was politically backed was comic what do you call the inability to hand over nomination on time? Just as the Interim took over they stared issuing statements on irregularities. It had only a nuisance value while nothing concrete ever happened. Not satisfied they started a row with the referees. One would have hoped most of this nonsense and the petty rivalry among rugby playing clubs would have seen an end.
The National team and National effort has little priority as the “you pinch, I pinch” attitude still continues. The problem persists with the last two selections for the national squad was standards to go by. Take the case of the release of Marja or the confrontation with the referees.
Does anybody feel that there is something that has to be done as Sri Lanka is among the first five at the senior level and within the first three in the junior level? Has anything of significance being done by the rugby types who have taken office replacing the donkeys (In the words of those who wanted a say) who pretended to be thoroughbred horses. Only things worth talking are our performance of the Senior and Junior National teams and the anti doping drive. What have we got in terms of the future and or reconciliation to take the game forward? Talking of doping there is one that was caught but there is also news of others who have had traces though not significant to merit punishment. The area of worry however is that one of the persons with a trace has a history of being tested positive previously.
When it comes to the selection of the National Team there is some trouble. The issue with the referees is not completely sorted out. The referees claim they are yet to receive what is theirs for providing services. What do we have for the last few months is continued confrontation? Inspired leaks to damage than for damage control. A little bird whispers that there are powers in the circle that are more authoritative than the council.
There is little news of what is happening to plans that should be in place for preparation of the Asian 5 Nations Tournament. Will we hear the same story as we have heard a few days ago, “there are no funds. We may not have any fifteen a side matches before the A5N series. Therefore we may have to play some friendly matches with countries that are not in the first five nations. Can we do that if we hear the same phrase “no funds?” It is time for all who have so much of involvement in the game to shed differences and work to achieve higher status for the national Rugby Team.
There will be no excuse if things are left in the hands of control freaks. In the past it was said that the ills of rugby was because of a voting system that put in office people who are not representing the top playing clubs. Now that you are there what excuse can be given if the differently able are allowed to manage the game the way they want? Go look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself what I am doing here. Ask who is this? And what is he doing? If not what we have for a cure will be worse than the sickness.
*Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB |
E-mail
