Back in the scrum for the good of the game

Some years back I made myself a promise that I would not be commenting on rugby. I commented on rugby, when the game was better organized and played in the best of spirits, and comments taken by the authorities in the spirit it was made. There are times when, to use a famous Kenny Rogers refrain, one should know “when to hold ‘n when to fold!”

As we enter a new year a bit of nostalgia is, I hope, pardonable.

So here is a little anecdote as to what made me stop commenting on rugby would make interesting reading it would be of interest to rugby players, the present authorities and all concerned with the progress and development of the game with the oval ball.

While concentrating on writing on cricket which game I have played in earnest and can pardonably claim that I showed notable accomplishments, I thought it’s best to stick to what I know best. I left matters in the capable hands and pens of those well-known rugby writers and columnists at that time - M.B. Marjan, Austin Daniel and “8th Columnist” M. V. Muhsin all writers of the now defunct ‘Times Group’ in the 1960s and ‘70s.

New Year resolution

Before going on to start my first homily on rugby which I do making a resolution for the New Year that rugby will figure prominently in my columns-here goes the reason for my opting out of the scrum.

There was a constructive article that I wrote when working for a sister paper, when terrorist activity was at its zenith, questioning as to why if cricket can be played in Sri Lanka, what’s stopping a visiting rugby team from playing here in a tournament. My memory fails me as to what tournament it was, but I was very critical of the meek attitude of the Rugby administration.

The high ups of that time bowled neck and crop by my googly and when questions were being asked and finding themselves blown off side, came running to my chairman and made unfounded allegations.

To convince my boss, one of the four complainants promised the chairman at that time medicare, two promised security while the other was a pawn in the hands of the other three.

Not conversant

My chairman of that sister paper who apparently was not conversant with an oval ball from a cricket ball fell for the crooked balls thrown into the line outs by this foursome, asked me to stop writing on rugby, although he dismissed the incentives offered him with disgust.

No amount of explaining and convincing could get my chairman to see reason. I then began to put on pads and bat for cricket and occasionally commenting on the dribbling game - football - which was my second pet sport because I come from a school that had no peer in that game at that time - St.Benedict’s College.

Although not commenting on rugby, I have been following its fortunes. We have seen the ups and downs of Rugby - more downs than ups, even descending to levels not seen before. But times have now changed. At the helm of rugby administration are two spotlessly clean, clean as mustard personalities - Commander of the Air Force Roshan Goonetilleke as President and Secretary Shane Dullewa. There is now hope of a revival and a reinvigoration of the game with leaders of their calibre.

Do wonders

Goonetilleke has played rugby for St.Peter’s College and Shane Dullewa for Trinity and CH and FC and together they should do wonders for the player, the game, its coaches and its development and progress.

Incidentally Roshan’s dad Harry who also commanded the Air Force was a fine ruggerite for Royal College and Air Force. Once his playing days were over he took to refreeing and did a clean as a whistle job, with the whistle.

Harry also was President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union and did more than his bit for the game. When he was commanding the Air Force he recruited a lot of promising ruggerites and the Airmen were feared by many an opponent in the rugby scene where the Airmen also figured in many final rounds.

With his dad as an example, Roshan can take heart and with a hardworking secretary in Dullewa he should find the panacea for the ills afflicting rugby and streamline the administration, provide encouragement to the players and bring back the excitement that rugby in Sri Lanka is justifiably craving for - and richly deserves.

Carlton rugby sevens

What is now a talked of as a ‘happening event’ in the rugby calendar is the Carlton Sevens.

According to Dullewa, the Carlton Rugby Sevens was the best thing that happened to the game because this tournament gave everyone the opportunity of watching the world’s stars performing.

What is heartening is that all office-bearers of the council, club representatives and observers were attending meetings and tossing in their ideas so that the game could further improve and make head way.

What is also noteworthy is that that we could once again be seeing foreign ruggerites playing for clubs. The majority is in favour and it is hoped that the council will ratify it.

When foreigners playing for local clubs are being spoken about, one can’t but mention that man who made it all possible —-the man who did it ‘my way’—- Kishin Butani. Butani who made CH and FC dominate the local rugby scene and fill the club shelves with trophies first shoved in foreigners to the Maitland Crescent Club.

Fever caught on

That fever caught on and several other clubs followed the example of Butani and recruited overseas players . And champagne rugby was on display! The foreigners not only lit up the rugby scene, helped improve the standard and kept crowd flocking to see them perform their rugby magic. We hope the getting of foreigners would be a reality.

Pity that the likes of Kishin Butani who did so much for the game, players and the club, at times spending his own money are lost to the game. Those with Butani’s commitment, enthusiasm and dedication do not come dime a dozen. His quitting the scene was an irreparable loss. The good news for rugby is also the possibility of the SLRFU obtaining a ground to call its own. Talks with the Government in this regard are proceeding smoothly and very soon the game will have a ground to call its own.

The SLRFU do not want to divulge the location just it. Once everything is finalized and gift wrapped they will then divulge the venue.

We wish the SLRFU all success.

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