Sports

Sports

A glance behind and things to come
By Vimal Perera
When you look back and review the performance for Rugby in Sri Lanka what is it that you might find? The review has to be in comparison to the recent past. Where has been the Good the Bad and the Ugly of rugby? Good has been present most of the times. Bad has shown its face on a few occasions but has been sidelined as he was not wanted. Ugly has not surfaced as he finds no place at present. This in my view is the most important aspect of the game that has seen improvement and wish that they may become better in 2006 to be the best in the future. The focus has to be on the game and hard work is ahead in the year 2006 with the Rugby Asiad due to be played in Sri Lanka.

Now that most of the irritants of the game are being ironed out the occasional wrinkle needs to be treated properly. The game will then prosper. The schools section is finding its own headquarters while working together with the governing body. The game seems to be poised for greater achievement.

On the 28th and 29th of January, the rugby calendar for 2006 will kick off with the sevens. Matches on day one are expected to be played at the Colombo University and Longdon place grounds. All matches on day two (29th) will be played at Longdon Place. There will be 32 teams participating in this year’s tournament. While the entries close on the 10th of January it is reported that 28 teams have registered so far. The CR and FC are expected to field four teams. Two of them are the under 23 and under 21. Central Province schools are also expected to field an under 19 schools team. There will also be two overseas teams participating. They are the Lankan Lions from Dubai and the Bahrain Wanderers. Joining in would be a team from Matale, the Colombo University and a combined team from the southern province.

The use of the Colombo University grounds is another step in the right direction in promoting the game. On many occasions school games have been postponed due to non availability of grounds. Here then is another opportunity.

The Union and its constituent bodies are making every effort to improve the standard of the game. A workshop for the level one coaching certificate is to be held on the 14th and 15th of January. It has been proposed that incentives be given to clubs as well as school teams who use qualified coaches. This is important to the development of the game and achievements for the future and improvement of technical skills of players at a young age is necessary for the game to progress. It is in the interest of the game that coaches take this opportunity for improvement of knowledge.

Another workshop will be held on the 21st and 22nd for referees. This will be for the level one course for referees. The opportunity is for referees to improve their technical skills and to have in place a structured system of recognition. The workshop is expected to see those interested in the game as well as those involved in refereeing taking part. For more information on both workshops those interested may contact the SLRFU. The participation is expected to be limited.

The hope that is eternal will be that rugby will improve further in 2006. The players will enjoy the game and spectators will be very much satisfied. The sponsors will note the improvement and take the opportunity. With all systems expected to be in place 2006 will be a season to watch for.

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