Wesley-Zahira standoff averted, match postponed

An off-field standoff between Wesley College and Zahira College was averted resulting in their inter school Cup rugby fixture postponed for Sunday.

The situation was created by an apparent conflict of interest, typical Sri Lanka style, as Wesley had wanted the match to be brought forward from Saturday to Thursday so their coach can also fulfill his commitment with the national team as well.

But Zahira reportedly objected to the match being brought forward saying the recovery period for their players was insufficient after playing a high profile game against St. Peter’s College last Saturday.

A possible burn-out of the players was averted at a meeting on Monday that also brought in the tournament’s keeper, the Schools Rugby Association, when all parties reportedly agreed to play the match on Sunday when by that time the Wesley coach would return with the Sri Lanka team from a match in South Korea.

It is either a written or unwritten rule that rugby players be granted the maximum recovery days possible after a match before the next game taking into account the physical nature of the sport.

Several former coaches told the Daily Mirror the conflict of interests, at least when it comes to sport, must stop.

“Coaches should decide country or school, they cannot do both and right or wrong pick one and stick to it in the name or virtue and sport”, said one former Sri Lanka coach.