I am willing to work, but no interference please! - Rohan Abayakoon

Jatila KARAWITA

RUGBY: Known for his outspoken personality and pulling no punches, Chairman of Rugby Selection Committee, Rohan Abayakoon says that the previous administration of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), headed by Senior DIG Nimal Lewke, were unable to get things moving in the proper manner and it was dissolved by Minister of Sports and Public Recreation, Gamini Lokuge.He urged the Minister to hold an annual general meeting or in other words an election of office-bearers to steer Sri Lanka rugby from its current impasse.

Abayakoon, who tendered his resignation along with his other Committee members last October after being in office for two weeks, over Minister Gamini Lokuge's decision to axe Kandy SC number eight Imran Bisthamin, at the eleventh hour from the Sri Lanka team to tour Chinese Taipei for the Asian Five Nations, said that he was generally not in favour of Interim Committee to run Sports associations.

"But, it must be specifically said that current Interim Committee has been installed by the Minister to do a certain job, and as long as they do that and get out within a specific time period then it is fine by me." Abayakoon said.

Abayakoon whose Committee also includes Chaminda Rupasinghe, Rohantha Peiris, Nazim Mohammad and Hafeel Marso have been re-appointed for a term of one-year to lapse by April 2010.

Rohan Abayakoon observed that one of the main reasons for his Committee's decision to come on board again, had been to help the status quo with regard to the national team and to tide over the current crisis within the game at the request of the Chairman of the SLRFU Interim Committee Dr. Maiya Gunasekera. "Dr. Maiya asked my Committee, to help him to tide over this crisis period with regard to selections of the national team", he explained."That is why we decided to come back as selectors. But, we have also put down certain conditions, and one of them is that we should be allowed to do our job, in an independent, impartial manner, without interference."

Abayakoon - the former CH & FC and Trinity centre was confident of working in a controversy free atmosphere, but warned that the slightest sign of interference in team selection under his stewardship, will result in his Committee's resignation.

Pressed for his opinion on Sri Lanka's chances at the upcoming Asian Five Nations 15-a-side tournament in Dubai, also involving Chinese Taipei and hosts Arabian Gulf, the chief selector was silently confident that the islanders will win against Chinese Taipei and noted that the game against Arabian Gulf (studded with expatriates) would be a tough proposition.

According to him, the overall winner will be chosen on points difference at the end of a championship played on a League basis, will qualify to take on the likes of Asian giants Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhastan and Singapore, later this year.He also called on officials to give more exposure to the national team at regional sevens and fifteens tournaments as lack of competition had greatly contributed to Sri Lanka's declining performances in international rugby.

Abayakoon, was also in favour of the SLRFU Interim Committee's move to allow local clubs to field foreigners during the forthcoming season.