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| Thursday, 9 December 2004 |
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A plan to resurrect rugby Sri Lanka must seriously think of a strategy to get out of its pathetic situation in rugby. Despite a lot of crowing on the development of the game, the standard of our rugby has gone down from the joint No. 3 position we enjoyed in 1998 to No. 10 at the last Asiad in Hong Kong. What matters now is to mastermind a program, which could help Sri Lanka to get out its present mess. It was heartening to see several past SLRFU Presidents coming forward to give whatever possible support to resurrect the game. But to which extent the present rugby officials are ready to accept their help is left to be seen. Poor planning of the domestic rugby calendar too has contributed to our unsuccessfulness in finding a good feeder pool. A development squad is a must for any team to sustain and look forward to the future. Sri Lanka too successfully planned out this in the late 90s under the direction of former SLRFU President, Dr. Maiya Gunasekera, the present Chairman of selectors. That was the time we were one of the best teams in Asia, behind Japan and South Korea and even beat then No.3 Taiwan. But there was no continuity. That Development squad had a premature death and the result was a drastic drop in our rugby standards. Sri Lanka must plan out its domestic premier league season from September, in keeping with the majority of other Asian countries. Apart from that, we would then be able to systematically plan out our domestic structure. The local inter-school season should not overlap with the inter-club season. That would completely iron out problems in finding referees and grounds, as well as spectators. If we could have the domestic inter-school season from May to July, the national selectors could keep a close eye on the outstanding schoolboy ruggerites in a talent search. At the end of the schools season, which concludes with the knock out tournament, there could be an Under-21 or 24 tournament. A youth tournament would provide the stage for clubs to go in for youth talent and fill vacancies in their 'A' division teams. This would give an opportunity to the top most schoolboys to figure in club rugby during the same season, without wasting their skills for another year. On the other hand, clubs too would have a greater choice in finalising their squads and they could form their teams with a blend of experience and youth. The domestic inter-club 'A' division season could run for three months from late August and our season too would end at the same time with most other Asian countries. That is the ideal time to have a few friendly international fixtures aginst teams of similar strength. After the domestic inter-club 'A' division season ends with the knock out tournaments, the national selectors should form a Development pool and give comprehensive training to fill the vacancies of the national team. Maintaining a solid feeder pool will provide more options to the selectors in finalising the national team. Whether the national selectors would like it or not, they have to retain ageing veteran players in the national team. That is because they are left with limited options in selecting the team due to the lack of a good feeder pool. This problem could be overcome due to a greater extent if we plan out our domestic structure as above and end up with a formation of a development squad, with the cream of club and schools players from each season. That is how it should be and a system, which is successfully tested by most countries. Unfortunately, petty differences and club politics have made our rugby officials blind and have prevented them from identifying what is right for the betterment of the game. The development, which the rugby officials are talking, should be felt. But we are not experiencing anything. The officials may spell out on millions of rupees they have spent to develop the game in the provinces. Then why can't the Central Province produce just one more team to have two 'A' division teams? Instead, what the Central Province does is to offer lucrative deals to lads groomed by Colombo clubs and obtain their services. It is a few bundle of notes that finally put all the hard efforts of Colombo club coaches down the drain. We are not against a poor ruggerite securing a lifetime deal with a club because he would never earn at least 10% of that by playing for the national team. But such raw deals create bitter relationships among clubs. Hence, there should be a much organized transfer system for players, as in European soccer. While following the proper procedure in obtaining the services of a player during middle of a club contract, the club suffering a loss should be compensated by the club, which is obtaining the services of that particular player. This could be done by paying either the full or part payment, originally paid by the first club to the player who seeks a transfer. In addition to that, there should be better procedure and the officials who govern the sport should not deviate the rules to suite the needs of their individual clubs. Perhaps the above suggestions may not be perfect. But nevertheless it is some food for thought, so that all those who are genuinely interested in putting the game on the right track could sit together and discuss on similar lines. May that great game played with the oval shaped ball, be the ultimate winner! |
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