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| Sunday, 2 January 2005 |
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Confusion mounts after assault on rugby referee Straight talk by Lal Gunesekera Plenty of confusion and mystery surrounds the Joshua Kala rumpus of August 1 and subsequent action taken by the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) with enthusiasts of the sport demanding answers to many questions. Who is correct on this subject is a matter that baffles many people. Kala, the Fijian, was guilty of assaulting referee Aruna Jayasekera at the Havelocks vs CR & FC second-round game on August 1 at Havelock Park. He was representing the latter. Police complaints were made, but Kala "vanished" from the country the same night of the incident and God only knows where he is. Some say that he is in Bangkok where he is the assistant coach of the Thailand national side. The inquiry into this incident of assault took place on August 3, but it was only on September 22 that the report was supposed (I repeat, supposed) to have been sent to the International Rugby Board (IRB) in Dublin, Ireland. However, Gerard Gallagher, the IRB Development Manager for Asia (one of the six in the region), says that this communication has not been received in Dublin and after three reminders to the SLRFU he has yet to receive a letter. I also understand that the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) too have not received any communication. This report from the SLRFU should have been sent to Gallagher and the ARFU too, and for the former to take it up with the IRB in Dublin. The SLRFU seems to have got their wires crossed. The report was taken to Hong Kong by the President and Deputy President of the SLRFU (Mohan Balasuriya and Priyantha Ekanayake respectively) to be presented at the annual general meeting of the ARFU, but it was not "taken up" for discussion even under "any other business". Why? Even the Sri Lanka Rugby Referees Association (SLRRA) took this matter up very seriously at its annual general meeting recently with Gamini Fernando (himself a former SLRFU President and well-known personality) as the pro-tem chairman. He had made a comment that it would be better if this matter is taken up after the new set of office-bearers take office in March as the present lot doesn't seem interested. For Fernando to make a comment like this certainly sees something wrong somewhere in the set up. Kala is supposed to have been banned for life in playing in Sri Lanka (thats according to the SLRFU), but the player seems ignorant of this fact having read about it only from my column and have communicated to his club and certain other individuals in Sri Lanka that he feels like taking legal action against the SLRFU. However, the Secretary of the SLRFU, says that all documents connected with the entire episode have not only been sent to the IRB, but also the ARFU, Thailand RU and Fiji RU too. He says that Thailand have "sacked" Kala as its assistant national coach and is no longer with the Thais. He further says that the IRB had not informed the ARFU, but the SLRFU had subsequently done so. They (the SLRFU) wants the IRB to move in the matter. There are contradictions galore on this subject and who is correct? Referees paid finally The SLRFU says that a sum of Rs. 95,000 that was outstanding to the referees body has been paid out. It says: "They had ten signed vouchers and payments were made individually to the referees concerned and not direct to the SLRRA. Why were they paid individually. Cannot the SLRFU trust the SLRRA or some of its officials? Three 7's tournaments A lengthy discussion was held last week by the Deputy President of the SLRFU, Priyantha Ekanayake, with Presidents and Secretaries of clubs regarding the 2005 tournaments, and I understand that three 7's tournaments are to be worked off in February, March and August sponsored by Singer (Sri Lanka) Ltd. I also understand that if all clubs agree in not hiring professionals from overseas, even Kandy Sports Club the undisputed champions of the local scene, will fall in line. CH & FC do not seem agreeable to this, while Police, feel that foreigners should be allowed to play only in the League Championship. What the final decision is to be, is left to be seen. Simpkin sinks it George Simpkin, the New Zealander who is SLRFU's so-called Technical Adviser, is again "in the news". This time, he has remarked that local club competitions are "not in line with other Asian countries, and does not suit international competition" - whatever that means. He has also commented that none of the local club coaches have completed the necessary IRB requirements. According to Simpkin, coaches have to complete 60 lessons to qualify as an IRB coach and that only two school coaches are qualified. What has the SLRFU to say about these remarks of their Technical Adviser? Juniors fare well The Sri Lanka under-19 ruggerites fared quite well at the recent Youth Rugby Asiad in China where they ended in fourth position, only behind South Korea, Japan and China, but ahead of Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and India. The Lankans beat India (48-8), and Thailand (17-8), but lost in the semi-finals to South Korea (9-48) and to China (7-45) in the play-off for the third place. I hope that the SLRFU will keep these juniors in mind when it comes to selections for the senior national sides in future. Sanath - another daughter Sanath Jayasuriya, the former Sri Lanka cricket captain and dashing opening batsman, and his wife Sandra, are proud parents of another daughter. The second baby was delivered at a private nursing home in Colombo last week. |
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