by Ravi Nagahawatte
Tikiri Marambe, chairman national selection committee, awaits directives from the Sports Ministry to form the national rugby pools for two forthcoming tours, as he feels the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) has failed to address some key problems in the sport.

Marambe has had discussions with the Sports Ministry and has been promised to be issued directives as to how he should select the pools for the forthcoming seven-a-side and fifteen a-side rugby tournaments. According to Marambe, the Sports Ministry plans to send its directives by February 6.

However, a council member of the SLRFU when contacted said that the sport’s governing body at its last council meeting, had decided to send into training the last two national pools which were named till the issue was settled.

Marambe told ‘The Island’ that there were reports that some of the regular players had either retired or were injured and he wanted the clubs to send their nominations to the SLRFU so that selectors could know the players available for selection.

"I sent a letter to the SLRFU requesting that they appoint a national coach and look into some key problems which are existing at present. They have spoken to me regarding the letter and want me to form the pools by February 9.," said Marambe.

The council member of the SLRFU further stated that the council was not in favour of clubs sending their nominations to the SLRFU, as it would undermine the authority of the selectors.

Maramabe fell out with the SLRFU when the sports governing body didn’t give much thought to the requests he made to them through a letter. In the letter Marambe requested the appointing of a national coach, and the clubs to nominate players for the national pool through the SLRFU. Marambe also wanted the SLRFU to give financial incentives to players in the national pool and form a budget so that the rugby authorities didn’t run out of funds.