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Sports

Brand new season, brand new format
At the time of my writing this article the Sri Lanka rugby players were in preparation for the RWC Asian region qualifying match against China. There was optimism and hope in the minds of all. The hierarchy was of the view that all issues being settled the players have no complaint and will perform well. By the time you read this the result will be known. Irrespective of the result what lies ahead is more and more hard work will be required if Sri Lanka is to maintain its current status in the Asian Region.

In the last week of May the Caltex League Tournament will begin in a new format. There will be six teams battling out at the top with six other teams in the next tier in Division 1. The new format is the result of the deliberations at the last rugby congress. The line of reasoning being that the previous tournament structure did not see balanced teams competing with each other. This resulted in some games being one sided. The expectation is that the present format will have games that will be contested more closely.

This may not be to the satisfaction of all concerned as some of the clubs who have been playing at the top level are now vying for the top slot in the second tier joined by three newcomers. They are Dimbulla/Dickoya from the Central Province, Jawatte Lions from the Western Province and the Galle RFC from the Southern Province. Three more teams than last year. Dimbulla which celebrates 150 years of involvement in rugby in Sri Lanka are competing at the higher level after a lapse of many years. Hopefully the three new clubs will find enough support and a player base to justify its inclusion and continuance.

Definitely there will be some sort of an emotional impact for the three teams, Old Zahirians, Police and Air Force who have been previously among the clubs playing in tier one. This however might be a respite for the players who have battled only to be beaten by huge margins in the recent past. They who have been physically battered by better teams will find the going more to their standard. If they do well then they could be in the higher league next year. The incentive is therefore to perform. Similarly those at the top league will have to be conscious that they have to achieve to continue to be up there. Emotional attachment and or the pedigree will not be the reason for a team to be at the higher level. It will be performance.

The spectator will get an opportunity to see interesting rugby as closely contested events are expected. They will not have to suffer the boredom of a one sided match. The schools season is one example. The matches in Division one A and B saw close contests. We will also see in 2006 well known teams fight out in the B segment. I do not know whether anybody grumbles at the way the school season is worked out. Many did as the system was introduced. It would be a mental state of comfort to see the team of your old school being in the top tier because they are traditional rugby playing schools. The reality is different.

The only available comparison in the Sri Lankan Rugby scene is the schools format worked out at present. Last year it was a success and this year it is promising to better. The probability is that the proposed system of the clubs tournament may see better rugby games. Whether it will be better rugby is another issue. At the moment the interest is for the betterment of the spectator who wishes to have more excitement and enjoyment. Through that there will be more sponsor interest.

The men who will be taxed most I presume will be the referees. The demand from them will be much greater as teams will fight it out all the way. The clubs, as well as schools, in order to stay at the top will go all-out for victory. The fans will accept their team to win. The job of the referee will not be an easy one. He will be under stress from all, the players, coaches, fans and officials. Good luck mates!

To the skeptic anything new will not be acceptable without criticism. To the hopeful it will be something different to expect. Time will tell whether the decision is correct. The process of consultation and deliberation at the congress is the result of the new born. This in itself gives an opportunity for renewed discussion in the future if improvement is required. Let us wait and see.

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