World events, rugby spectaculars and sports tourism
View(s):While the focus and discussion is centered on the Rugby World Cup the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) will be hosting the third leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series. This tournament which will be called the Dialog Sri Lanka Rugby Sevens 2015 will be played on October 10 and 11 at the Race Course International Rugby Stadium. SLRFU has announced that there will not be a gate fee for this tournament.
Sri Lanka remains in fourth place following the Asian Sevens leg played in Thailand.
The tournament this year will see 12 men’s and eight women’s teams taking part. The men’s teams are China, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. The women’s teams are China, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Singapore and Uzbekistan. Host Sri Lanka will play in both men’s and women’s tournaments. This is the first time that the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Sevens Series is hosted in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has in the past hosted the Singer/SriLankan Kandy Sevens and Carlton International Super Sevens. This will be the first time Sri Lanka rugby fans will be able to see both the men’s and women’s national teams playing in an international tournament on home soil.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka remains in fourth place following the Asian Sevens leg played in Thailand. Having beaten China, to whom they lost in the first leg, Sri Lanka failed against Hong Kong and South Korea. China who was placed second in the first leg played fell down this time around. China does not look as threatening when they play outside home soil. The comments made to the press by the coach and captain and published in newspapers is interesting and worthy of being noted if Sri Lanka is to improve and climb the ladder.
The tendency among some involved in the game is to mark statements on Sri Lankan Rugby as criticism and not as constructive thought. The follow up may be to kill the messenger and not take of the message. As long as there are yes men around who can put together a report to suit those who may feel offended rugby will only stay where it is and not move forward. The next leg of the Sevens is in Sri Lanka and possibly the Tuskers will be able to perform better in the presence of the home crowd. This will not happen by having hope and expecting a miracle but will only happen if there is a plan and you work towards same. Just as much as Japan is doing and making sure that they are worthy of being in the World Cup and hosting the next installment in 2019. Hosting the Asian Sevens in Sri Lanka is a welcome effort as outside Japan; Sri Lanka draws most crowds for rugby in Asia. This event has to be translated to success as there is always the possibility of more Asian Sevens played in Sri Lanka.
The foreground however is the Rugby World Cup which is s almost at a halfway stage though not there yet. There has been record attendance at matches so far. Rugby is a great spectator sport as evidenced by the attractive attendance. The numbers that are traveling across borders to watch rugby is huge as seen during the Australia vs Fiji game marked by many noisy English spectators travelling across.
The mismatches of the World Cup of the past have not been much evident this year. Previously some were reduced by getting beaten by huge margins. Even matches of the old order and the so called minions have had reasonable attendance as rugby has improved in countries that were not considered as possible stars.
The work of World Rugby has seen the sport grow and become more popular. The minnows have become more organised, fitter and professional, enabling them to give a good account of themselves so far. The point of note was the victory of Japan over a fancied but aging South Africa. This came as a shock than a surprise. Uruguay, Namibia, Romania, Georgia, and Tonga have so far made a mark and stood tall. Japan is making better skills compensate for what they lack in size and weight. It paid off and a pointer to the Asian teams of the future.
It does not look as though England have taken the defeat by Wales too well. It is all about pride which seem to be dented and forgetting to see that they do not seem to have world class men around. Despite the fact that Wales are edging towards a quarter-final berth led by a New Zealand coach, Welsh coaches seem to be all over including Japan, Romania and Namibia. The game this year looks more physical with lots of hits and working the ball less has also resulted in many injuries so far the matches of the future will get more interesting when the quarter-final stages reached.
The Sevens in Sri Lanka may be a start in drawing crowds from the region in what may be sports tourism which however can be hampered by the high cost of hotel rooms the organisers have to bear due to the regulation of rates. Since sports teams does not need all the frills of food the authorities have to look at promotional rates for sports events.
* Vimal Perera is a former player, coach, referee and an IRB Accredited Referees’ Educator