Sports

Rugby offers valuable lessons on empathy

Published

2 years ago

2024/04/24

Sahan Weerasooriya

Starting rugby at junior level is hugely beneficial because this sport offers valuable lessons on ‘empathy’.

By A Special Sports Correspondent

Rugby union is a sport that has blended well with the Sri Lankan sports community for over 145 years. From the days when the first international rugby match was played in a 1907 (Between Ceylon and the visiting All Blacks) the game has spread its tentacles; thanks to the untiring efforts of many dedicated rugby administrators.

When that first rugby international was played in Colombo, the All Blacks were reprimanded for playing against a nation which wasn’t affiliated with the world rugby governing body. That was when Ceylon knew that they had to enter the larger rugby world. For that purpose the Ceylon Rugby Football Union was formed in 1908.

Whenever Sri Lanka has entertained thoughts of engaging the world its performances have been great. From the time the British represented us in sport to the times when rugby’s elite from Colombo did the honours in wearing the national jersey, Sri Lanka’s rugby was taken seriously by the world rugby fraternity. But this is not the case in present times where Sri Lanka is fighting hard to earn a promotion to the Asia Rugby Championship.

Back during the good times of rugby in Sri Lanka the Annual General Meeting of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) was held in an atmosphere of camaraderie. There was no such campaigning for votes and the next man in line for the presidency was pushed up automatically to head this sports body, governing the interest of rugby in Sri Lanka. That changed in later years and the ‘games’ played to become president of SLR became ugly as political matters are discussed and deals are struck in the island’s election scene.

Rugby too spread laterally and the game was embraced by parties, clubs and schools which couldn’t maintain the glorified standards of the sport played with the oval shaped ball. One of the unwritten laws of the game that’s often broken is players and officials being unable to shake hands and make up after a dispute.

Rugby matches are played in hostile atmospheres. The win at any cost rule is promoted akin to how ambition is embedded in the minds of A’ Level students, who strive to enter university. We’ve seen this hostility being present in school matches and that’s not a place where we should see this kind of behavior spreading its roots. For the record, Kandy has been a hotspot for rugby violence in the schools scene during the last couple years. This elbows out attitude can then be seen continuing to club rugby as well. During the past two seasons Kandy SC pulled out of the knockout tournament citing differences in the choice of venue by SLR for that stage of the domestic tournament.

Strangely rugby is introduced to schoolchildren at a young stage, but one wonders whether sportsmanship is also embedded into them. Most schools start rugby for kids at age 10 or below that. Children are naturally friendly and like to mingle with the opposing team members. But we’ve seen coaches who are under pressure channeling some that negative energies to their chargers; often the boys in one team told to be unfriendly to the other team well before the game starts. We saw this kind of behavior out in the open before the year 2022 schools’ knockout final began.

Kids must be taught to take up victory and defeat in the same spirit. Rugby is evenly spread these days in terms of setting up fixtures for teams. There were times in the good old days when lesser known schools could only dream of having a fixture against teams like Royal, Trinity, St. Thomas’ and Isipatana. Now these popular rugby playing schools are forced to accommodate games against less popular schools in their fixture list; largely to be entitled to the label ‘Division 1’ rugby playing school. This ‘label’ is given to schools by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association; a sports organization which is run by a bunch of schoolmasters who don’t really know the length and breadth of a rugby field.

Despite all that, school rugby is cherished for all its ‘colors’ and different cultures. School rugby is a ‘stage’ where great lessons in empathy are taught. We saw last season, how a referee officiating in a school game was quick enough to hold on to a player, who was about to collapse. This incident took place when the game was to be restarted with a scrum. It was a great lesson on empathy because the players of both teams were focused on the scrum that was going to take place and if not for the referee that player would have had a nasty fall.

SLR must also conduct programmes for schools and be involved in the inter-school rugby scene. People with a rugby background and knowledge of the game must be roped into serve the game at school level. There was a time when younger school players emulated their older ‘big brothers’ who played rugby at school. Now that emulating ‘thing’ is out of fashion; because every individual wants to be the best version of himself and there are enough tools around to achieve that goal. But still, rugby’s past heroes can have an influence on the players, referees, coaches and administrators. Rugby, overall, has potential to influence a community and remind everyone that ‘no one is bigger than the game’.

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Related Topics:Children Play Rugby Starting rugby at junior level

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Injury-hit New Zealand eye revenge as Afghanistan look to run it back

Published

15 mins ago

2026/02/8

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Rashid Khan is Afghanistan's talisman [Cricinfo]

Afghanistan vs New Zealand in the early stages of a T20 World Cup. Sounds familiar? The memories of their clash in 2024 will be very pleasant or downright horrific depending on who you support. It proved a pivotal result with the teams going in vastly opposite directions after Afghanistan’s stunning 84-run hammering in Guyana.

It kick-started Afghanistan’s fairytale semi-final run, fuelling an outpouring of revelry in the streets back home. For New Zealand, it was effectively the beginning of the end as they flamed out in a rare early exit at a global tournament.

The teams have not played in any format since, creating even more anticipation for a rematch with big stakes. Group D is considered the ‘group of death’ with South Africa also in its ranks, amplifying the importance of this match for teams considered dark horses in the tournament.

New Zealand will be keen to banish the demons, but enter with plenty of question marks following a 4-1 series pummelling to India ahead of the World Cup. Of most concern, injury and illness have swept the squad and a strong start to the tournament could prove difficult.

But New Zealand should be at least familiar with the conditions, with some players having been in India for about a month. They should be match-hardened, and there will be confidence that the team can build through the tournament if they can weather this early storm.

They will need to muster one of their famed backs against the wall efforts, although there is no shortage of talent with New Zealand boasting a powerful batting order and several speedsters threatening to do damage if conditions are conducive.

Given the uncertainties over New Zealand, Afghanistan might just enter the match as favourites as they eye a strong start to a campaign they hope will go even further than their 2024 breakout.

Afghanistan will arrive confident having won six straight matches in the format before a 15-run defeat to West Indies in their series finale in Dubai last month.

They will unleash a formidable spin-heavy attack that should relish favourable conditions. While other Asian countries are hogging the spotlight, for various reasons, Afghanistan will go in under the radar but internally there should be optimism that they can inflict damage on high-profile opponents.

New Zealand Cricket has taken a pragmatic approach to the proliferation of T20 leagues by allowing players to take up casual agreements to have flexibility with their international commitments. Finn Allen has been one to take up the offer and it meant he missed most of the white-ball tour against India due to the BBL. But he has stated a strong desire to keep playing international cricket, music to the ears of New Zealand’s hierarchy. He clubbed 80 off 38 balls in his return in the fifth T20I in his first international match in 10 months. After a long layoff last year due to a foot injury, Allen ignited title-winners Perth Scorchers and he rewrote the six-hitting records during his destructive rampage. Such is the brutality, he even sometimes made opening partner Mitchell Marsh look relatively sedate by comparison. If he continues his heater – there is some doubt over his fitness for the opener – then New Zealand will get off to flyers.

Rashid Khan, obviously, is Afghanistan’s talisman and looms large over their campaign. There isn’t much more that can be said about the leggie who has taken the most wickets in T20I history with an economy of just six. The burden on his shoulders is even greater these days with the captaincy responsibilities but he should absolutely relish the likely drier surfaces. Rashid, of course, was at the heart of Afghanistan’s famous victory over New Zealand at the last T20 World Cup with a mesmerising 4 for17 from four overs and he’ll fancy something similar here.

New Zealand enter the tournament in disarray as they battle injury and illness. Batters Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway have been struck down with illness, while Allen is nursing a shoulder injury he sustained against India. Allrounder Michael Bracewell and fast bowler Lockie Ferguson have been dealing with calf issues. There is optimism from the New Zealand camp that they will have a near full-strength squad to choose from although Ravindra appears unlikely to recover in time.

New Zealand XI (Probable): Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra/Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry Ish Sodhi

Unlike New Zealand, Afghanistan have few concerns and should field a full-strength line-up which includes their favoured spin-heavy attack.

Afghanistan XI (Probable): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad

[Cricinfo]

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Vulnerable Sri Lanka present Ireland opportunity for an upset

Published

31 mins ago

2026/02/8

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Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana will support Wanindu Hasaranga [Cricinfo]

There was a time when Sri Lanka were among the most consistent T20I sides. Between 2009 and 2014, they made the semi-finals of four successive T20 World Cups. But since then, they haven’t qualified for the knockouts even once.

This time, they are the co-hosts. But that may not be a huge advantage. Their captain Dasun Shanaka isn’t happy with the Sri Lankan pitches, which he feels are too slow for T20 cricket. At the R Premadasa Stadium, where they start their campaign and later play against Zimbabwe, their win-loss record in T20Is is 8-24 – the worst among the four home venues. Having recently been swept 3-0 at home by England, their confidence may not be high either.

So, can Ireland, their opponents today [Sunday], take advantage of that? At the 2024 T20 World Cup, Ireland had failed to win even one match. But they come into this edition on the back of two series wins, albeit against Italy and UAE but in Dubai, where the conditions might not have been too different from what they will get in Sri Lanka. If they are to qualify for the Super Eights, they will have to beat at least one of Sri Lanka and Australia.

Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s leading run-getter in T20Is, has a career strike rate of only 127.25. But don’t get fooled by that. In the last couple of years, he has really upped his game. Since the start of 2025, he has scored 717 runs at a strike rate of 147.22 . He also scored his maiden T20I hundred during this period: 107 off 58 balls against India in the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka will need more blazing starts from him at the World Cup.

Just like Nissanka, Ireland captain Paul Stirling is the leading run-scorer for his team. But unlike Nissanka, he hasn’t been in great form. Since 2025, he has scored only 233 runs in 14 T20Is, at an average of 19.41, a strike rate of 133.14 and a best of 45. Can he find his mojo and lead by example?

Sri Lanka may decide to go in with an extra batter, possibly in the form of Janith Liyanage. But the nature of the pitch will decide that. Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Pavan Rathnayake are also competing for two spots.

Sri Lanka (probable): Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake/Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis/Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana

Josh Little is the only Ireland player to have played in the IPL, but given his recent struggles with form and fitness, he is not assured of a spot in the first XI.

Ireland (probable): Paul Stirling (capt), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy/Josh Little, Matthew Humphreys

[Cricinfo]

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Suryakumar’s unbeaten 84 helps India overcome USA scare

Published

43 mins ago

2026/02/8

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Suryakumar Yadav gave India a big finish [Cricinfo]

The shortest official format of the game, T20, it turns out, is long enough to build someone up and then break their hearts. USA were the third team on the opening day of the T20 World Cup 2026 to threaten an upset, reducing India’s much-feared batting to 46 for 4 and 77 for 6, but met the same fate as Netherlands and Scotland. Suryakumar Yadav – dropped on 17 off 15 – scored a masterful 84 not out off 49 to give India plenty to defend on a surface where the ball gripped enough to make shot-making fraught.

Suryakumar scored 48 off the last 18 balls he faced, including 21 off the last over, dragging seven deliveries from wide outside off to the leg-side boundary, often ending up on his back after completing the shot. The bowlers, led by the early strikes from Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh, never let the chase get going to ensure the lowest successful defence in a T20I at Wankhede Stadium.

The moment USA asked the clearest of favourites in any T20 World Cup to bat first, talk revolved around 300. Not without reason: India have crossed 250 three times since the last World Cup, and here they were on a generally true batting surface, a small playing field and an Associate team to take on.

USA began with square leg and sweeper cover as the two men outside the ring. Abhishek Sharma, the best T20I batter in the world, fell for a golden duck to deep cover. Shadley van Schalkwyk then took three wickets in the last over of the powerplay: Ishan Kishan to a slower full ball, Tilak Varma to a quick short ball and Shivam Dube for another golden duck to a slower short ball. Perhaps because of extra grass and moisture in order to have the square last the tournament, the pitch just had a bit of grip to make these wickets possible.

Grandson of Vasant Ranjane who played seven Tests for India, Shubnam Ranjane played his last match for Mumbai under the captaincy of Suryakumar. Now an international for USA, he started off the night at former home ground with a dive to save four runs. Then he dropped Kishan for not much damage. When he started bowling, he created a return chance from his former captain, but put it down by his shoe laces.

A tall and quick legspinner, Mohammad Mohsin kept the choke hold in the middle overs. Not having conceded a single boundary in the first 15 balls, he created a long-on catch from Rinku Singh. Harmeet Singh, another former Mumbai player, then got the current Mumbai Indians captain, Hardik Pandya, caught at deep cover, again the ball stopping on him.

Once Harmeet got Axar Patel caught at deep midwicket to make it 118 for 7 in the 17th over, two things were clear. That even a tall left-hand batter was struggling to time left-arm spinners, which meant India had a chance. And that Suryakumar still had work to do.

Just as India started to open up, Ali Khan – two overs for 13 runs – injured himself while diving. Ranjane took up the bowling job, bowled well and then injured himself diving in his followthrough. Suryakumar then took full toll of the 20th over, bowled by Netravalkar, who now holds the record for most runs conceded in a T20 World Cup match: 65.

Siraj was not supposed to be a part of this World Cup. Then Harshit Rana injured himself in the warm-up fixture against South Africa. He still wasn’t supposed to be in the XI, but Jasprit Bumrah fell sick. On he came, playing a T20I for the first time in two years, and took a wicket fourth ball, sending back the big-hitting Andries Gous. Arshdeep Singh, who set the tone with no runs off the bat in the first over, got stuck in with the wicket of Monank Patel. Siraj made it three similar wickets when he had Saiteja Mukkamalla caught at short midwicket. All three were mistimed slightly because of the slowness of the pitch.

With no dew around, Varun Charavarthy and Axar proved to be too good for USA on this surface. A period of 22 balls without a boundary was broken by a six by Milind Kumar, but Varun soon had him stumped. Sanjay Krishnamurthi hung in, brought the equation down to 62 off the last five overs, but Axar ended the fight with two wickets in two balls.

Brief scores:
India 161 for 9 in 20 overs (Isshan Kishan 20, Tilak Varma 25, Suryakumar Yadav 84*, Axar Patel 14; Ali Khan 1-13, Shadley van Schalkwyk 4-25, Mohammed Mohsin 1-16, Harmeet Singh 2-26) beat USA 132 for 8 in 20 overs (Milind Kumar 34, Shubham Ranjane 37, Sanjay Krishnamurthi 37; Mohammed Siraj 3-29, Arshdeep Singh 2-18, Varun Chakravrthy 1-24, Axar Patel 2-24) by 29 runs