Sri Lanka reaps rewards for banking on homegrown rugby coaches

By A Special Sports Correspondent

Sri Lanka finished its participation at the Asia Rugby Men’s Division 1 tournament with flying colours, but there are concerns whether the islanders can hold on to this momentum they created in this four-nation tournament.

The concerns are whether the island’s players chosen to perform national duty can think of a national level commitment in the months and weeks to come. All these players are owned by clubs and whether they’ll be released for a national level training programme is a dicey question to be answered from an administrator’s point of view. Also Sri Lanka cannot conveniently return to club rugby and forget national rugby when there is a ready-made invitation for them to join the best four Asian nations in the world and contest the Asia Men’s Rugby Championship next season.

Anyway, the three coaches Sanath Martis, Nilfer Ibrahim and Dushanth Lewke are full time rugby coaches and are working closely with the players from both schools and clubs. They eat, drink and sleep rugby; hence there is no surprise if Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) continues with this three-man combination when the time comes again to prepare the national team for future international assignments. The fact that this writer wishes to underscore is that Sri Lanka proved to the ‘Asia rugby world’ that the islanders have enough home-grown talent when it comes to selecting a coaching panel and also players for international tournaments and don’t have to rely on ‘foreigners’.

But going alone is difficult. Outside influence is essential. If Sri Lanka doesn’t want to capitalize on the ‘foreigners’ eligibility to represent another nation facility’ then the SLR must think of giving our players more exposure at international rugby events. Just a few days ago in Singapore-just after the conclusion of the HSBC ‘Singapore Sevens’- the rugby unions of Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding to be engaged in a 15-a-side rugby tournament (For the Unions Cup) to promote the long version of rugby union. Sri Lanka must also think of doing the same with teams like Pakistan, India and also by roping in any other Asian nation team which might want to complete the line-up and gain some mileage in the sport. As for all the Asian rugby teams, exposure is one key factor which will aid in their future journeys in rugby.

If we just take a peep into the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship (featuring the best four teams of Asia like Hong Kong China, Malaysia, South Korea and United Arab Emirates) Hong Kong China is the hot favourite to win this year’s series set to be held in Hong Kong from June 1-24. For the record Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR)-the governing body for rugby in Hong Kong China-has drawn up a ten-year strategic plan to develop its rugby and be counted in the rugby world. HKCR has also earmarked a South American tour for its players which will feature a match against Chile and another opponent. This is food for thought for Sri Lanka Rugby.

The three coaches who formed the coaching panel for Sri Lanka comprised (from
left) Dushanth Lewke, Sanath Martis and Nilfer Ibrahim (Picture courtesy SLR)

Sri Lankans are cock-a-hoop now having won the Asia Rugby Division 1. And even before the Sports Minister of the country could promise any reward, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has come forward to boost rugby at home with a ‘gift’ of US$ 30,000 in appreciation of the recent accomplishment in rugby. All these happenings also bring along hope for some change in the way of thinking in the higher echelons of rugby in Sri Lanka. Now the SLR must keep Sri Lanka’s national rugby in the news and not brag about getting sponsors and running a club rugby tournament. Sri Lanka moved three places up to a World ranking of 41 in 15a-side rugby. And Sri Lanka must hold on to this place in international rugby at any cost. There are critics who have already aired the view that the three coaches must be looked after and honoured for their contributions made towards this recent national rugby achievement. If someone asks Martis whether he is ‘Sri Lanka coach’ or ‘National coach’ I am sure the great man would be lost for an answer. In reality he is Sri Lanka coach; a one-off appointment as the person in charge of the national team for this single tournament and he is technically released of his responsibilities now. But if the SLR signs a long-term agreement with him to be in charge of the national team then he would be tied down with the players and forced to draw up plans to keep the players’ focus on the international rugby scene and overseas tournaments. What would happen to his present role as a school cum club coach then and all the earning opportunities he enjoys? The same can be said about Lewke and Ibrahim.

No rugby picture is complete if proper homework is not done. In terms of looking at the entire Asian segment and where it places itself in the world rugby scene, we must check the movements of Japan. The ‘Cherry Blossoms’ is the big brother when it comes to rugby in Asia, but this nation has now moved to a different segment of the game; which is the World Cup ‘Pacific Challenge’. Japan won this tournament recently which featured teams like Manuma Samoa, Tonga ‘A’ and Fiji ‘Warriors’. This tournament featured predominantly under 23 players in keeping with WR regulations.

Coming back to the tournament held in Colombo at the Race Course, the rugby event attracted 20,000 spectators. The grandstand was packed to capacity and rugby fans at home saw a display of rugby by the national team which pulled at their heartstrings. As for rugby in Sri Lanka the crowds are back. There is interest again in national rugby. And it’s the responsibility of the entire rugby fraternity to keep the ‘Lion flag’ flying in the sport of rugby union. To top it all up- like putting a cherry on a cake- the Asian Rugby Tournament that Sri Lanka hosted was termed a ‘Green Event’ with a tree planted for each try that was scored in the tournament. Suddenly all eyes are on the Sri Lanka rugby team and it’s a nice feeling to wait till this applause fades away before the ‘players’ can think of work again.