The suspension of three national rugby players for misconduct following the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India took a new twist yesterday with Canada-based national rugby player Albert La Rose declaring that he will no longer look to represent Guyana.
La Rose received the heaviest penalty – a two-year ban (effective from November 7 last) from participating in all local and international rugby tournaments sanctioned by the Guyana Rugby Football Union.
Speaking from Canada in a telephone interview with Stabroek Sport yesterday, La Rose highlighted his disappointment with the way the players’ case was handled.
Contrary to recent comments made by the other suspended players, who stated that they will continue playing for the national team at the end of their suspension period if called upon, La Rose stated that he will not be playing for the national team again if Nascimento is at the helm of the GRFU.
“As long as Kit [Kit Nascimento] is the president [of the GRFU] I will not be playing for the national team again,” said La Rose.
“I can play for Canada and that’s my goal now,” he added.
According to La Rose, a lot of the charges against him were false.
He cited as an example, where Nascimento claimed he was late for the majority of the team’s practice sessions while at the Commonwealth Games.
“I had an injury, so I was the first person on the field to warm up with the physio [physiotherapist],” La Rose said.
He said that he was being punished for previous disagreements between himself and the GRFU president and not solely based on his actions at the Commonwealth Games.
“How can they ban players for just drinking after the tournament? It’s just Kit being vindictive,” he claimed.
“He wants things his way or no way at all and doesn’t like when you stand up to him… he has a controlling attitude and takes rebuttals as insults,” said La Rose.
“It’s a grudge that Kit has from way back when and it didn’t even make sense to appeal because they already had their mind made up.”
He explained that prior to the Commonwealth Games he was told that he was not needed for the national team but he was named for the Commonwealth Games team after he was recommended by the coach for the high level tournament.
“The coach said I was needed and Kit was against it all the time. I sacrificed a lot to be there. I never had a problem on tour with anybody else,” said La Rose.
“The guys don’t deserve to be banned,” La Rose added, while stating that the punishments were unjust and uncalled for.
