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| Sunday, 23 January 2005 |
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Straight talk Ekanayake and Co. has tough task to re-build image of SLRFU by Lal Gunesekera Can a good rugby player turn out to be a good administrator? It is left to be seen how former St. Anthony's College, CR & FC, CH & FC, Kandy Sports Club and Sri Lanka captain Priyantha Ekanayake, fares when he takes over as President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) next month for a two year period. Except for the Treasurer (Shantha Kurumbalapitiya) the other top slots see fine ruggerites and personalities taking over. Michael Jayasekera comes in as Deputy President and Dilroy Fernando as Secretary. This "team" together with the incoming Council has a big task ahead of them in reviving the game and bringing it upto some sort of standard before the 20th Asiad in Colombo next year (2006). They also have to make every attempt to get back the lost spectator interest and improve their financial situation too. It's a big task, and can Ekanayake and his "team" steer the ship out of the rough seas? Ekanayake, was the Deputy President when another top player turned administrator, Mohan Balasuriya, held the reigns since 2002, during which period Sri Lanka's rugby nose-dived to the bottom and even its coffers ran dry, leaving Ekanayake to take over an administration which is over Rs. 2 million in the 'red.' The entire Council since 2004 has to take the blame for this sad state of affairs. The outgoing administration has been paying New Zealander George Simpkin a fantastic salary. At one stage the SLRFU did not have the funds to pay him (the SLRFU did not even have the money to pay the referees too). Simpkin is supposed to be SLRFU's Technical Advisor with his vast experience. He has also taken over the development side and I wonder what Arjun Dharmadasa's duties are? He has even bought a bungalow in Kandy and is set to lead a"retired life" in sunny Sri Lanka with his wife. During his tenure, Sri Lanka's rugby has slumped pretty badly, though he has trotted out various excuses for the failures. Sri Lanka ended 10th out of 12 countries at the 19th Asiad in Hong Kong, only ahead of minnows India and Pakistan. They entered the Cup category at the Singer-SriLankan 7's (which was an IRB Asian qualifier last year) and lost to Japan. The Sri Lanka Under-19 side fared quite well at the Youth Asiad in China where they were fourth. The Caltex League was a complete disaster with the SLRFU even been taken to a court of law for the first time in its long history. The Clifford Cup was delayed and then there was the Joshua Kala incident too figuring this year. Also, what was the return for the money spent on TV coverage of the League games? It will be interesting to see how Priyantha Ekanayake and his team wrangle out of this mess! Stadium at CR The newly elected President of the CR & FC, Ravi Balasuriya, has gone on record to say that a stadium will be constructed at Longden Place, including a swimming pool, at a cost of Rs. 200 million. It is to be built in time for next year's Asiad in Colombo, and what better person to be put in charge of this gigantic project than Hemaka Amarasuriya, the Singer chief. He is certain to get the necessary finances needed despite the tsunami calamity. The hockey ground is to be converted into a rugby field. CR already possess a basketball court, tennis courts, squash courts, gymnasium and even a Chinese Restaurant on their premises. However, Balasuriya, must think twice before deciding to hire out the grounds to stage mega musical shows, which damages the ground etc. and not only think of the income that this type of show generates. Wish you all the best Ravi. |
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