Kandy SC is undoubtedly a rugby outfit that every other team dreams of beating, but it appears that the defending champions on many occasions cared little about their reputation and instead preferred to cry and complain over venues, referees and the occasional spat at the hands of rivals.
Last week they were up to that old game of calling for a change of the referee for their match against CR and FC and it is very likely they will stick to their guns and turn their back on the Clifford Cup.
Time is up that Kandy SC is told they are a Super side, a damn good one at that, and Special Forces don’t complain. For over 20 years they played as the envy of all other clubs and the team to beat and last Sunday in their own den they should have by now realized that winning is not everything and that money also cannot buy everything.
Kandy have got so much used to winning that they forget ground realities. None will want to grudge their achievements over the years from a team whose players at one time wore stockings that did not match their boots to a team that is as spick and span well drilled, well moulded that could give discerning rugby followers value for ticket money.
Kandy SC’s real fan base should not have room for ruffians and sore losers and their educated and intelligent followers should be brave enough to stand up to protect the club’s hard earned image and not allow people who are slaves to their emotions and that goes for some of their office bearers as well who call the shots and find fault with Press reporters who have no reason to side with any club or team in the fray.
Kandy SC’s true followers are people of high end value who know that one defeat does not take away the bravery and commitment of a professional team who should be model losers in the same way they are model winners.
The hollow-swallow attitudes of some of their office-bearers should change taking the players into the future. Better and constructive rapport with their sponsors and commercial godfathers should be strengthened.
Kandy SC’s players have been professional in their style of play and don’t need to be reminded of gamesmanship and their keepers should know what it’s like for rival teams to beat a high value team like Kandy SC and be allowed to savour such a great occasion. Both winning and losing come with responsibility towards the sport and a team like Kandy SC should never be left where they fall. They took rugby to more people in Kandy than any other team before them has ever done.
Complaining about referees and venues should not mean a thing to a Champion outfit like Kandy SC. Champion teams cannot be role models by complaining about referees or venues or Press reporters whose job does not entail them to take sides but rather to be on the side of the Truth.
