SLR resolute to see the winning post, despite commercial setbacks
The usual Inter-Club Rugby League Championship, which runs with a sponsor’s tag in front, this year however, is running after the last minute reversal of Sri Lanka Rugby’s (SLR) commercial partner. The SLR administration, according to insiders, have been intact with the potential sponsor for nearly 10 months, while making necessary arrangements to dish out Sri Lanka’s premier club rugby competition.
However, in a turn of events, after clearing all hurdles to run the show, SLR had to stay firm in continuing with its club league tournament despite the pulling out of their earmarked sponsor. With few days left to the kickoff of the league competition, the SLR council had to stick to their original decision to run the show, even without a commercial partner, and the club league is having a smooth sail to its fourth week.
“This was something we (SLR) never expected, especially at a time when premier rugby was trying to stand on its feet after two years. Yet, our priority is rugby and its growth. Of course we need financial support through the channels of sponsorships and partnerships. But for SLR, the game is bigger than what we could achieve commercially, and that’s the reason why the council made a decision to go ahead with the club league despite our current status,” The President of SLR, Rizly Illyas stated.
SLR had to draw a special blueprint tailor-made to overcome new conditions that are now in place, notably after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, which has hampered the progress and growth of many entities, including sports. Rugby, as identified by the Ministry of Sports, was the least discipline to get the nod being a full contact sport, and SLR had to make exceptional changes to its usual tournament guideline to meet the health protocols and guidelines.
“It was not an easy task to convince the higher authorities, as they were seriously concerned on the players, officials and other stakeholders of the sport. SLR had to draw a proper plan in order to convince them, and make sure the competition would be held with a new set of guidelines, which will be fair on all. The competition is now into its fourth week, and we are really happy that SLR was able to dish it out without any major incidents,” bolstered with courage, Illyas added.
To ensure a smooth flow of the competition, SLR introduced a ‘COVID-19 Rule’ guideline, with its Vice President Nazim Mohamed spearheading the draft as the Tournament Director. As the document states, Dr. Rukmal Karunananayake, the Director General of the Institute of Sports Medicine Unit, has been appointed as the Medical Director, COVID Management of the tournament.
In addition SLR had adopted new playing rules to suit the present conditions, after carefully going through the World Rugby (WR) rules and regulations on playing conditions. All teams, officials and others connected to a game are adviced to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) two hours prior to kickoff in order to ensure safety of all. The tournament guidelines state that a team is allowed to bring in 36 members to a game, with 26 players, two each of water carriers and medical personnel and six team officials.
In case of a sudden detection of a COVID positive case, SLR has taken up clauses and portions of WR rules and regulations to conduct the game with minimum available players, or postpone the game after a letter submitted to the Tournament Committee by the team officially. A team has the liberty to postpone a maximum number of three games during the first round, and a game during the Super Round, and any further postponements will be treated as forfeiture with a 28-0 win awarded to the other side available for the game.
“SLR has done its utmost to make sure the game moves on, with proper planning done and guidelines followed. The game cannot suffer just because a commercial partner decides to take a step back. This is a game where there is a great following, and there are others who are willing to come aboard as sponsors. SLR always try to make sure the growth of the sport and players, and we too would not like to lose a sponsorship. But the game has a value, and it’s way bigger than what others may think or evaluate. It’s sad that the sport is not been respected with honour by certain parties,” he explained.
Within the SLR council itself, members do come out with different opinions, but they brainstorm and argue before making a final call. SLR is on the move to conduct the tournament to the end, despite its very own financial burdens. Meantime, they are equally focused on raking in new partners and sponsors, who they are willing to welcome aboard, given the fact that the sport is duly valued and respected by the potential commercial partner.
Either way, SLR had already made up its mind to see a successful end to the club league tournament, that came alive after nearly 24 months, before they step on the gas to think about the future, which has been already planned and discussed according to Illyas.