Dilroy Fernando calls for ex-national players to take to the
'whistle'
RUGBY: Newly elected President of the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby
Referees, Dilroy Fernando, made a clarion call to ex-national players to
take to the "whistle" sooner than later, if the declining standards of
refereeing witnessed in the recent past is to be halted once-and-for
all.
|
Newly elected President of the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby
Referees Dilroy Fernando addresses the membership after being
elected as President at its AGM held at CR & FC on January 10.-
Picture by Farook Lantra |
Fernando, addressing members soon after being elected as uncontested
President at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the CR & FC at
Longden Place on Jan. 10 (Saturday), said that his priority as the
President of the Society is to produce a set of competent referees, who
in turn, will not squander the fifth placed on them by its stakeholders,
such as the clubs, sponsors and the fans. "The clubs spent million to
sustain teams throughout a single season with the help of sponsor, he
said.
"However, if there is an incompetent referee out there who makes a
very poor decision, it could be detrimental to the clubs and their
chances of winning. So, my aim will be to coax past players with proven
track records to take up refereeing, while grooming he budding referees
who could one day take over from the veterans".
Fernando, who was the former Vice President of the sri Lanka Society
of Rugby Referees, before taking over from outgoing President Vimal
Perera, requested the media to be constructive in their criticism of
referees, saying "the referees are a lot who do a thankless job under
the most trying of circumstances."
He also thanked Singer Sri Lanka, for standing by the Society as its
main sponsor in the recent past with his body having to supply referees
for over 2000 matches during the 2008 rugby season,which he described
would never have been possible, sans the input of sponsors.
Fernando, a former CEO of the SLRFU, added that he would be looking
to streamline referee exchange programs as well with the Asian Rugby
Football Union (ARFU), besides having regular referee training programs
sanctioned by the world ruling body of the sport, the International
Rugby Board (IRB). Outgoing President of the Society Vimal Perea while
thanking the membership for the support rendered to him during his
two-year tenure, bemoaned the lack of quality referees in the country
with the exceptions of Dilroy Fernando and Nizam Jamaldeen.
Following the AGM commemorative plaques were presented to past
President's of the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Referees such as Summa
Navaratnam, S. Sivendran, Lionel Almeida, Gamini Fernando, Mohan
Balasuriya, Ana Saranapala, Senior DIG Nimal Lewke, Tony Amith, Brig.
Jupana Jayawardene, Metha Abeygoonewardene, late Quentin Israel and late
M.R. Moosa. Two plaques were also presented to Dilroy Fernando and Nizam
Jamaldeen in recognition of the duo being selected to officiate at the
2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai.
The new set of office-bearers of the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby
Referees for 2009.
President - Dilroy Fernando, Vice Presidents - Mahinda Jayawardene,
Nizam Jamaldeen, Secretary - Kevin Leppen, Treasurer - Lakdas Colombage.
Committee Members - Anil Jayasinghe, Orville Fernando, Past Committee
Members - Vimal Perera, Shamrath Fernando. Gamini Indrasena, Upali
Kotuwegedera. JK
|
