Rugby teams fight for big purse [1]
Friday, January 2, 2009 - 18:33. Updated on Friday, June 13, 2014 - 19:06.
Editor,
From your local press summary, I recognized a report from Taimi on December 17th, 2008 reports; the first brawl of the Lavengamalie Cup Rugby Tournament took place on Friday Dec. 12th at Teufaiva Park, as players of under 17 teams, Silapelu Ua and Tupou College, with their supporters fought on the rugby pitch, Tupou College however, won the rugby match.
It is very disappointing to know that this type of sports violence can still be witnessed in the Kingdom especially at the under 17 level. It is sad that the report suggests that 'the first brawl'. To me, there is going to be more violence in the tournament. If I have to read through the lines, Tupou College won the rugby match but lost the fight.
If we want to keep up with the rest of the world in the sports, we need to improve the level of our game as well as our level of civility. We can't advocate violence in sports especially in the youth level.
I hope that Tonga Rugby Union Disciplinary Committee will look into the reports and reprimand everyone responsible for this mess from coaches, players, fans, and tournament coordinators. One might say that this was not a Tonga Rugby Union event but, these players, coaches, and match officials are still under the rule of conduct of their Rugby Union. Please take photographs of those fans involved and make sure that they are not allowed back in any sporting event for five years for first time offenders.
I wish that the officials of Lavengamalie Rugby Tournament will not allow Silapelu Ua and Tupou College back in the remainder of the tournament. Don't even give them any award. We need to make a stand and let the whole of Tonga know that you don't condone violence in sports. Failing to make a firm stance for good sportsmanship is a clear indication that, we emphasize on a big purse. The title and great money pay outs are worth fighting for, and just let the prayers before each game and on Sundays to be said in vain. Therefore, teach the kids to might as well win the fight since we lose the match.
I hate to see ourselves still going down the same dark ages mentally when it comes to rugby. I am confident that the officials have done something about it, we probably have not done quite enough just yet.
Respectfully
'Aisea T. Tu'ikolovatu
(Ambassodor for Good Sportsmanship)