By Callistus Davy
Rugby administration in Sri Lanka, which has operated under political patronage without accountability for nearly two years, once again mixed up its priorities, this time in full view of the media, as the team captain and newly appointed stop-gap coach were held back from press questioning less than 48 hours before a crucial World Cup Asia Zone qualifying match against South Korea.
The occasion, described as a press conference on Wednesday by a so-called Working Task Force of Sri Lanka Rugby appointed by the Sports Ministry, was meant to engage the media. However, what transpired was far from a proper press briefing.
Instead, Sri Lanka’s overseas coach Rodney Gibbs and team captain Tharinda Ratwatte were paraded on the podium during a sponsorship presentation. In what was more of a ceremonial sign-off, both delivered short, prepared speeches lasting barely two minutes.
The event had the air of a corporate showcase rather than a serious press engagement, with only a few rugby journalists in attendance and more well-wishers filling the room.
Preparations for the match were already in disarray after the appointed head coach, Sanath Martis, widely considered the best homegrown mentor had abruptly stepped down. His resignation followed disagreements with off-field decision-makers after the team suffered two defeats last month against New Zealand’s weight restricted (Under 85kg) national side that’s six rungs below the famous All Blacks side.
Insiders report that team morale is low, with several players nursing injuries and little support being offered in response.
In his brief address, Ratwatte said the team was determined to bounce back, noting that Sri Lankans are “resilient, no matter what happens.”
Meanwhile, factional squabbling for positions within the administration has led to a standoff with World Rugby, which has threatened to ban Sri Lanka for its failure to adopt a new constitution in line with international governance standards.
As the administration continues to operate on borrowed time without an elected governing body, the national team is set to face South Korea on Friday at the Race Course Ground in Colombo. This match will be followed by further qualifiers against Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates as part of the Asia Zone campaign for Rugby World Cup qualification.
