When discipline triumphed at Royal under Peiris

Richard DWIGHT

A long felt need for the restoration of discipline in the field of sports here, was seen in the scathing attack made against indiscipline the other day, by the Editor in chief of the Sunday Observer cum sports Editor Daily News, Dinesh Weerawansa, in his column 'sports watch'. In his admonition for the greater cause and common good of sports, he strove to strike a blow to arrest the now growing unhealthy trend of indiscipline, which is most alarming to be threatening to get out of hand.

With particular emphasis on the habitual decline of discipline in the arena of rugby in the island Weerawansa has gone to the extent of advocating that punitive action be taken against rebel players by banning them from playing.

As we dwelt on the suggested line of action, our minds went back in time to the year 1978, when the principal of Royal College, L. D. H. Peiris, a strict disciplinarian if ever there was one, had the courage of his convictions to steadfastly uphold discipline, so as to ensure that it, had its due place at Royal. On the eve of an important cricket tournament, Peiris took what to him, must surely have been a painful step, when he suspended six cricketers from the college team. The principal had to resort to such a line of action, for the reason that these cricketers were guilty of a serious breach of discipline. A decision of this nagnitude was by no means easy - on the contrary it was a costly one.

For these cricketers formed the nucleus of the team, and therefore quite naturally their absence would certainly have a demoralising effect on the entire team. And what's more, they were senior coloursmen, seasoned players, who by their performances could well determine the course of victory for the college.

Notwithstanding all this, the principal the martinet that he was hit hard in the name of discipline. To him and the college it was not the trophy or the tournament that mattered, what was important was the maintaining of discipline. He did not flinch or waver but at the most opportune moment struck hard while the iron was hot. Had he succumbed to the various pressures that were prevalent and reversed his decision or enforced the suspension after the tournament was over - then the punishment would have lost both its sting and pungency.

The uncompromising principal of Royal College acted in a spirit of "not that I love the college less, but that I love student discipline more" and, his sincerity of purpose and well meaning intentions was crowned with success - when the depleted college team, virtually a 2nd XI team at that, performed brilliantly to become champions, to win the coveted Exide Trophy.

There are times when one takes a bold stand to enforce discipline, this gives one a sense of well being, which has a far reaching salutary effect in the name and cause of sport.

But all that was in the distant past, for the prevailing environment isn't geared to promote and foster discipline. In the fast moving world, instant fixes and quick action with money strewn about, is what is required, all else recedes.

There is no time to stop, think and reflect, with little or no room for discipline, sportsmanship and virtue, which are considered obsolete, old fashioned and out of date. An ideal climate and atmosphere for the 'indiscipline syndrome' to fester and become cancerous, that will eventually bring about the downfall of sports.

Our cricket at the moment is topsy turvy, and we do seem to relish mauling lesser fancied sides - our rugby for the want of discipline amongst those in authority and the players, has sunk to its abysmal depths. Much has been said and written from time to time about our rugger, both in the electronic as well as the print media. The emerging question however is, whether our results at the international level has been commensurate with all the publicity and hype given to rugby through the years. Far from it, for our displays abroad have been most pathetic - which makes us seriously think, that our players aren't physically made to match our rivals abroad, we aren't suited for it. Our only comfort and consolation would be to work selflessly, concentrating on our domestic tournament to make it attractive enough to draw the crowds.

In the years gone by we had a galaxy of rugby players in the CR & FC, Havelocks and CH & FC. They were men of integrity to be fine gentleman, they along with the officials served the game for the love of it, sans any form of perks, facilities and remuneration. With their exit and the succeeding years with money and perks thrown in - sadly the downward trend of the game began.