Sports

Sports

Make the Premier rugby trophy only for locals
The last major tournament in the year 2003 rugby calender the Premier Trophy Championship is confronted with a few hiccups. This tournament is being sponsored by the Ministry of Sports - as a part their development programme.

In some quarters (couple of Clubs) say they will be confronted with financial problems if they prolong the stay of their foreign players. They have a point. Still they could field a team with locals. There is plenty of young talent in their cupboards. The Rugby Union if they have any vision in promoting the game for a better future can confine this tournament entirely for the local players.

Frame laws that all teams must take part, otherwise they must inform the hierarchy before the start of the season. If the seniors are weather-beaten, then they could rest and attend to their family commitments. This attributes to bad planning by the officials who hold office. It has happened in the past and it's being continued.

Give the young hopefuls to indulge in competitive rugby. Are trophies more important than the game?

Last minute
Imagine the squad for the Singer-SriLankan Airways International Rugby Sevens organised by Kandy S.C. too was found wanting. The trials to pick the squad was held on September 2. The Rugby Union should have made preparations months ahead in collaboration with the national selection panel, than waiting till the eleventh hour. Were they not aware of the IRB ruling pertaining to foreign player participation? How could the CEO of the SLRFU be in charge of the coaching with the sevens squad. 'Shan' Perera is a knowledgeable student of the game. Why should an administrator (paid official) of the Union handle this ? He should be a consultant. Definitely not a CEO-cum coach.

This is not an IRB recognised tournament. The Union should have done well to field two teams, thereby giving more exposure to the local players where the Lankans could hold their own in the Asian region in sevens rugby to gain that much needed experience staged in our own backyard. -BW

Mahaweli Games to help harness rural talent
My vision is to continue the good work of my predecessor, the late Gamini Dissanayake, who pioneered the Mahaweli Games in 1986, to give the rural youth a chance to improve their lot via sports. This was revealed by the Minister of Irrigation and Water Management, Gamini Perera at a media briefing held to outline the programme for the Games to be held on September 13 and 14 at the Mahaweli Centre.

Minister Perera was associated with the senior officials of the Ministry for this confab. Gamini, himself was an outstanding cricketer to hail from Nalanda as a gangling left-arm fast bowler. He was coached by Gerry Gooneratne. He captained the College team. His elder brother Lincoln too captained the unbeaten Nalanda champion team in 1948.

He said, everybody should rally around to uplift the image of the less affluent from whatever corner. "Via sports we could bring about reconciliation among all races. Sports for all races. The country is judged how it treats its less affluent, but not the highest ones. Yes.

This awakening programme to give job opportunities and keep them occupied whilst indulging sports. Its part of the poverty alleviation programme", he said. There will be over 2,000 participants within the region.

The two-day programme is to harness talent at grassroots level and bring into limelight more W. Wimaladasas and Susanthika Jayasinghes for the future. To build a permanent bridge for peace and harmony - the organisers have invited relay teams (boys and girls) from North and East for this great happening. They will be afforded with food and lodging including security.

For the first time there will be water skiing as an added attraction. Through the Mahaweli Games they were able to bring into limelight 40 sportsmen (men and women) to come upto national level. Thanks to late Gamini Dissanayake otherwise they would have gone unheard and unsung. 29 of them took part in international contests and nine of them achieved success.

The 17th Mahaweli Games ís not being funded by the Government Treasury, but entirely by the sports promoting private sector and the public. "This itself is an achievement due to the unstinted good work of my Ministry officials", said Gamini Perera.

The girls’ section, too has been given all encouragement. There are quite a number of events on and off the field. Their future, too will be looked into, Minister Perera quipped. The highlight will be the Marathon for both (boys and girls).

The organisers have left no stone unturned to make the event a success. This year's two-day Festival will be yet another milestone for the Mahaweli Authority to further uplift sports among the rural youth to bring about understanding and togetherness. Like in music, sports has no barriers. - BW

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