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'Our main focus is on conducting the 2006 Asiad'- Priyantha
By Shamseer Jaleel
There was an era, that if you wanted a vantage point at the CR-Havies game you go at least three hours or the least two hours before the ticket counter opens to get your place in the queue. The other important games were no better. Want to watch the game well, and then come on time.

Today barren sands have blown over the oval ball game. At present not only even countries of the likes of China paste us by huge margins, but also it's only a handful of fanatics who ever make an effort to come and watch a game of rugby.

Who is really responsible for this terrible situation? Is it the standard of rugby that has come down so drastically ? Or is it that the administrators of the game who have been responsible for this plummet, and bringing the game down from one of the richest games in the country to another 'Old mother Hubbard's" with a daunting Rs.7.5 million in the red? One time the governing body the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) was the second richest in the country after the Cricket Board. The gate collection at all club matches were very good and at least two to three thousand spectators watched the important club matches. This situation has changed very much and so it is difficult to see at least two to three hundred spectators at all-important matches.

The SLRFU which had its AGM recently appointed the former Antonian ruggerite and double international (Basketball) Priyantha Ekanayake as its President. Priyantha who also played cricket for the Katugastota school led the country in the oval shaped ball game for a record number of 10 years.

Priyantha Ekanayake who spoke to the Sunday Times recently told that he has plans to start the local rugby season in October and go till February the following year. This will enable the young school leavers to participate at the club level without any delays on the same year. He stressed the importance of an Under 21 national side. He further pointed out that the International Rugby Board (IRB) is organizing a World Cup for this segment of players every four years.

He had high praise for the former China national coach George Simpkin who is in charge of our boys. He stressed the importance of retaining him for at least another 2 years until the country host the 20th Rugby Asiad in 2006. Priyantha also was in favour of appointing a Tournament Manager who will be responsible in conducting all the local tournaments and will need to bring in the much-needed sponsors.

He pointed out the importance of playing in more sevens tournaments in order to prepare for the Singer Sri Lankan Sevens and the other IRB sevens tournaments. He was of the view that at least three sevens to be conducted for a calendar year before playing the national side at the Singer Sri Lankan sevens. He told that one cannot blame the International Rugby Board (IRB) for not inviting us if we just play only one sevens for the whole year. Even countries like China and Thailand conduct at least three to four sevens tournaments in a calendar year.

The most successful Sri Lankan skipper Priyantha's prime target is in hosting the 20th Rugby Asiad in 2006. He further told that in 1974 the country first hosted and ended runner-up to the strong Japan side and in 1990 when he led the national side Sri Lanka ended as third. At this tournament the national team was only behind Japan and the strong Koreans. But at this year’s Asiad the country will be in the Bowl segment as they ended 10th at the last Asiad held in Hong Kong.

Priyantha told that he would start a data bank for the players who are participating in "A" division rugby in the country, which he will need the support of the leading clubs to give all the required details. He was also positive on contracting players for the national side, which in return the lads will earn some cash benefits and medical attention. He was also looking for a team sponsor for the national team and ended on a positive note by saying that he will conduct a press briefing of the happenings in the SLRFU once a month.

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