Rugby fans flock to watch schoolboys play
Rugby fans in Sri Lanka are fed up with the corruption and incompetence of the sports administrators who have failed to deliver any success at the international level. Instead, they are turning their attention to the schoolboy rugby league, where they can witness some exciting and clean sport.
Last week, on August 19, 2023, thousands of spectators gathered at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo to watch the final match of the inter-school league rugby championship between St. Peter’s College and Isipathana College. Some of them were even willing to pay Rs 10,000 for a ticket just to watch the young stars play.
The match lived up to the hype, as it was a thrilling contest that went down to the wire. The Peterites and the Isipathanians displayed their skills, passion and pride in representing their schools, while asking not a penny for their efforts. The match ended with a narrow victory for Isipathana, who scored a late try through their replacement scrum-half Simione Kuruvoli to seal an historic win.
Schoolboys contrast with officials
The contrast between the schoolboys and the officials running sports in Sri Lanka could not be more stark. While the former are playing for the love of the game and the honour of their schools, the latter are only interested in clinging on to their positions and indulging in their hollow and superficial gibberish.
The officials have been accused of corruption, mismanagement, nepotism and political interference in various sports, such as cricket, rugby, football and athletics. They have also failed to develop the infrastructure, facilities and coaching for the athletes, resulting in poor performances at the international level.
For example, Sri Lanka’s cricket team has been struggling in all formats of the game, losing series after series against stronger opponents. The team has also been plagued by scandals involving match-fixing, contract disputes and disciplinary issues. The cricket board has been criticized for its lack of transparency, accountability and professionalism.
Similarly, Sri Lanka’s rugby team has been sinking to new lows, losing to teams like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in recent tournaments. The team has also been hampered by injuries, lack of exposure and inadequate preparation. The rugby union has been blamed for its lack of vision, strategy and leadership.
Schoolboys inspire hope for future
Despite the dismal state of affairs in Sri Lankan sports, there is still hope for the future, thanks to the schoolboys who are playing with flair, determination and integrity. They are proving that Sri Lanka has talent and potential in sports, if only it is nurtured and supported properly.
The schoolboy rugby league is one of the most popular and competitive sporting events in Sri Lanka, attracting large crowds and media attention. The league features 14 teams from different schools across the country, who play each other in a round-robin format. The top four teams qualify for the knockout stage, where they compete for the coveted trophy.
The league also serves as a platform for identifying and developing young players who can represent Sri Lanka at the higher levels. Some of the players who have emerged from the schoolboy rugby league include Kavindu Perera, Naveen Henakankanamage and Tharinda Ratwatte, who have gone on to play for Sri Lanka’s national team.
The schoolboy rugby league is not only about producing players, but also about instilling values and discipline in them. The players are expected to uphold the traditions and standards of their schools, while also respecting their opponents and officials. They are also encouraged to balance their academics and sports, as they prepare for their future careers.
