Sad the ongoing controversy in school rugby

Hafiz Marikar

It is very sad that the on-going controversy in the U/20 schools rugby is allowed to escalate. In particular this season has been the worst.

What is happening to school rugby? This is the question asked by all sections. And no one is asking the question: What do we do to resolve this unpleasant issue. A few days back I met some of the former Kandy rugby players and posed this subject to them. "Where have we gone wrong? Nobody likes to sit down and discuss nor give an opinion on how best this issue could be solved.

It's a sorry state of affairs today. It will take a minimum of five to seven years after school to achieve this attitude. The pattern of play, the game plan and the most importantly the discipline, all have to be taught, at school level which will help them follow the code of conduct. We must not forget it is the responsibility of all citizens and sponsors to create good ambassadors for our country. If we are to achieve this goal we must forget all differences and go back to the traditional matches which will make a big change for our future generations.

What we have failed to understand is that rugby is a game in which we will not be able to go beyond Asia in the foreseeable future, and thank God that we have now come to first three places in the Asian Region. To maintain this trend our young ruggerites should start early. We need good coaches and also good quality referees. Today we lack good quality and experienced referees. They must also take the blame for their inability to conduct and control a rugby game.

This year most of the matches were messed up by the referees and this resulted in the spectators getting out of control and the host teams unable to provide proper security measures to prevent any mischief makers.

After all these incidents the schools association have assured that host schools must take every precaution to conduct the game incident-free with extra attention paid for the safety of the players and the referees.

However the SLSRFR was apparently unwilling to compromise on the assurance given by the schools, which was conveyed in a statement by Orville Fernando, who is the President of the referees society.

According to sources a meeting which was scheduled to be held yesterday evening with the Sports Minister too failed to materialize. The source further added that if the referees refuse to officiate or compromise they would stop the tournament and most probably declare the leaders in the three divisions as champions if this problem continues.

If that is so, it would be high time to import referees on a referee exchange system where our referees go there and they come over here to officiate at matches. This will improve the standard, quality and on the long run educate all referees in general.

If coaches can be brought from outside with a minimum qualification of Level 2 it will be advantages. Currently some coaches with dedication and the will to do a good job are been highlighted. But here again they should be educated to improve their standards. Referees too can be brought when needed like the one who did the first Bradby.

If the game is to go on like in the old days, they should stop Referees Coaching and Coaches Refereeing. There was another matter that was brought up by some spectators. Today over here in Kandy, not all schools, but some schools have been taken over by Rugby Clubs or Old Boys Rugby Association whatever they call it. These organizations are those who are handling the venue arrangements, like ticketing and gates. They don't know the supporters who come with the visiting teams.

During the Dharmaraja College - Science College game at Bogambara, an MIC was failed to be identified. The OBA organizations can do all the promotions, sponsorship, player development through proper structures and the school left to handle the match arrangements etc. All payments to the coaches and helpers should go through the school. It has been noted that when the principals talk to the coaches they do not listen. They are employees of the OBA Organizations. The school should take over all matters in sports. Here in Kandy, the Schools Disciplinary Committee Chairman, had a lengthy discussion with the two schools which had a problem, that is Kingswood and St. Anthony's. The discussion went on for a about two and half hours, a video was watched, and the talks were lengthy and the out come will be known in few days.