Divine justice prevailed that eventful day
A cardinal proposition that seems to desert a section of the 68th Bradby (1st leg) critics is that one cannot demand respect, you have to earn same. Interna- tional Rugby Board (IRB) rules and facts and figures pertaining to the match is of secondary importance in the light of ethical considerations and the basic norm of ‘Conflict of interest’. The prompt action supposedly initiated by the Minister of Sport (himself a Royalist) to prevent any parent of a child representing a school at sport from holding office in a sports body or association.
Acardinal proposition that seems to desert a section of the 68th Bradby (1st leg) critics is that one cannot demand respect, you have to earn same. International Rugby Board (IRB) rules and facts and figures pertaining to the match is of secondary importance in the light of ethical considerations and the basic norm of ‘Conflict of interest’. The prompt action supposedly initiated by the Minister of Sport (himself a Royalist) to prevent any parent of a child representing a school at sport from holding office in a sports body or association could be the starting point of a move to remove the cancerous effects that plagues inter school rugby of this country.
A school of thought contends that referee Irshad Cader may be a victim of circumstances. A threshold question that arises is whether the learned members of the referee assignment committee was unaware that no less than four games in which Cader officiated this season had been subject to controversy, with ensuing inquiries in some. Was it prudent to entrust the burden of officiating a Bradby game on a person with such a track record. This is simply a factual consideration and not a hearsay uncorroborated version leaving room for debate.
With the second leg of the Pallekele Bradby a few days away both Trinity and Royal would find solace from the news that arguably the last of a dead breed has been given charge of the game. Sri Lanka’s top referee Dilroy Fernando, who would have been sidelined from last year’s Bradby, if not for the initial media exposure, is assigned for a record breaking 20th appearance this Saturday. A statistical analysis would show that with Dilroy officiating, Trinity have ended up losers on a majority of occasions than not. Yet it was the Trinity camp that primarily agitated for Dilroy’s installation as referee for the 67th Bradby second leg in 2011. Trinity camp mindful of cries of victimization fought relentlessly to assure its students of a fair adjudication. The unprecedented 40 – 05 pulverization of Royal at its den, interestingly did not see a single finger being pointed at referee Fernando (Dilroy).
I was witness to what transpired at the Royal College Stadium but am not an expert to comment or conclude that Saturday before Royal were taking control of the game at the point of disruption. I can only state that the protesting Trinity were leading 13 – 08 and looked certain to score given an opportunity to run the ball. The winning side protested via Scrummage members. Byron Fernando has no sons at Trinity (lives in Australia) and is beholden to none; neither did other prominent figures who resorted to a forceful show of displeasure. By no means was the on filed protest a physical one. To me it was humane and justifiably so, when one feels the much treasured red, golden blue jersey is being victimized repeatedly. Moreover, it is not an incident that can be taken is isolation to cover up acts of incompetence. The peaceful protest was symbolizing a crumbling concern of local rugby in Sri Lanka.
The ‘Daily Mirror’ reliably learns that upon representations being made incumbent President Asanga Seneviratne has vowed to address the deplorable state of affairs threatening the development of the sport. In a broader perspective Trinity and Royal did not and would not need referees to win matches. All that is expected is a reasonable adjudication keeping up to the required standards – a want of which gives rise to dispute and controversy
Whilst the young ‘Lions’ defended relentlessly, being the only option available in the circumstances, the ‘Scrummage’ members cantered to the sidelines in the hope of justice and as a colleague of my contended ‘Divine Justice’ did prevail that eventful day.
Trinity awaits its traditional rivals at the picturesque Pallekele Rugby Stadium this Saturday to set in motion at full strength its awesome back division, who were hampered by the unforeseen incidents.