To impose ones will on another when one should work in harmony destroys the lives of others. Rugby in Sri Lanka is plagued with this malaise in whichever angle you may look from. This happens because of the existence of an altogether unrelated drive for personal gain.
We read recently that the case of Nuwan Hettiaratchi has been settled. To the time of writing thee has been no decision about the points that have been with held from Kandy for their match against the CH and FC. The Union for all purposes has not taken a decision to award the points to Kandy or not.
Is this a power struggle or a game of politics? Whatever it may be it seems that rugby is at cross roads. Going back to that now much touted game of Kandy against the CH, I fail to understand why Kandy was so insistent in playing Nuwan Hettiarachchi when the union had asked them not to play him.
That is that neither Navy nor Kandy can include him till such time the two sides’ resolve as to where he belongs to. There was an issue of changing clubs and Navy claimed that that the player was still bound to the Navy.
The SLRFU being unable to adjudicate wanted both teams to sort out issues and did not give permission for the player to represent either club. Kandy however as stated decided that they have contracted the player and he will take the field. Was this because e Kandy could not have beaten CH without this player? If you took a look at the Kandy team sheet they had enough ammunition to fire even without the now much talked of Nuwan. What made Kandy take that chance and face a possibility of points not been given.
Possibly having been on the winning side and dominating rugby for many years they opined that they have the power to defy the ruling of the SLRFU. Can one expect the SLRFU to say it s Ok brother you did not care for us but as we love rugby take the points. It does not work that way as the hierarchy will want to show that they are in control. A question that was asked then and will be asked again is what if one of the clubs who are allowed to play foreigners says we will have three on the field. That is another power that is left to be used. What if clubs decide to play a foreigner ?
In this scenario the union is either prevaricating or is being politically cunning waiting till the last match in the league is played. As I understand from reliable sources of the SLRFU the courts have vacated the enjoying order and given a judgment with conditions that have not been released as the courts are on vacation. The conditions that as confirmed by the Secretary of the Union is that the player cannot play this season for any club and this has been accepted by the player. The second condition is that the rugby union can decide on allocating the points as well to take disciplinary action as suitable.
This opens another window which is just not the points but that the Union can take disciplinary action as they think fit. Another important aspect is that de-facto the player stands punished as he cannot play any rugby this year. CH played under protest and is another party that can take action.
It does not seem as though it is a mere points issue that is there but a hold entangled web. The court judgment while allowing the union the privilege of taking action has extended the right for aggrieved parties to petition the court. The union summoned the disciplinary committee to decide on the appropriate action arising from the violation of its rules. Thus it is not only the player that will be involved and the club too can be on the dock.
This Sunday evening will be a interesting though no cup will be awarded to the champions as the matter rests with the tournament committee, the disciplinary committee and with the council at the helm.
What is most interesting is that there is a three corned tussle if the points are not awarded to Kandy who lead at present with 40 points and Navy are Second with 36 points and Havelock’s are third with 35 points. If Kandy beats Havelock’s the cup is theirs.
If not they have to get bonus points. What if the team is punished for the violation of the directive given to not play Hettiarchchi? Then if Kandy looses to Havelock’s and Navy beat CR with adequate bonus points the cup is for the Navy. Havelock’s too have a chance of winning if they beat Kandy and CR beat Navy.
We obviously can go on and on and the issues are many. What will happen to rugby is what has to be seen.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB |
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