Sri Lanka an important cog in the Rugby 80 wheel

Sri Lanka rugby will receive a bonanza by way of international exposure through the International Association of Rugby 80, (IAR 80) but will have to help themselves by lifting their standards according to it’s President, Dilip Kumar.

These words were also echoed by Bob Dwyer, Chairman of IAR 80 who told me that he hoped that Sri Lanka will play a leading role in developing standards in the sub- continent region which covers India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Dywer, the former Australian Wallabies coach heads a powerful committee that will vigilantly oversee the promotion and development of rugby’s new concept which will give all nations playing the game an even opportunity of pitting themselves against the world’s best.

Both Dwyer and Kumar stressed the role of Sri Lanka, (who boasts of a long history of playing the game), was an important cog in the wheel of their ambition to progress themselves on a world scale, but they need to stay ahead of the pack to do this, and it can only be achieved by careful, dedicated and self conscious administration.

Sri Lanka rugby needs to harness dedicated administrators in the calibre of Kavan Rambukwella, Nimal Lewke, Y.C Chang, and Mallik Samarawickrema whose contributions were exceptional through the 80’s and 90’s in their endeavour to kick- start the game’s revival to past glories.

From Sri Lanka’s perspective, Rugby 80 is the most exciting offer in their association with rugby ever, so it is up to them to grab the opportunity with both hands and to sell themselves to the world game. The chance to showcase their skills to the rest of the world has never been more reassured and the onus is on them to step up and make every rugby players dream a reality by striving to match it with the world’s best. And this can only be achieved through proper direction, as the Rugby 80 concept is the only way at the moment to be noticed as a playing country to regions that have little knowledge of Sri Lanka’s potential in the sport.

I am happy to hear of Sri Lanka’s development in the Asian region but realistically, beating teams such as Japan and South Korea in the near future and gaining recognition as the Asian representative in the prestigious World Cup is a pipe dream in the foreseeable future, and that is why Sri Lanka should adopt the Rugby 80 concept more seriously if they are to get any worthwhile world recognition. By showing enough interest, Sri Lanka has everything to benefit from the experience and expertise of people such as Bob Dwyer whose direction and advice can point the country in the correct direction to gain world respect.

Dwyer told the Sunday Times in an exclusive interview, that the wheels are in motion in Thailand at the moment with the IAR 80 Bangkok tournament which has drawn ten top provincial teams from countries in the Asian region in which Sri Lanka will be represented by Central Province and the Defence Services.

Dwyer and Kumar flew out to the tournament in Bangkok to evaluate its progress and formulate any necessary improvements as the new concept continues to build up momentum.

But the real build up is for next year’s Kings Cup tournament in Thailand planned in conjunction with the Thai king’s 80th birthday. Dwyer said it will be a buzz as 16 of the best teams from the Southern hemisphere, Europe and Asia will be doing battle on an even footing weight wise, and this would provide an important insight as to how teams stack up in the skills and flair department. “We want to keep the momentum going until we are able to hold the first Rugby 80 World Cup” Dilip Kumar told the Sunday Times. He added, “Our aim is to slot in some time after the Rugby World Cup in France next year, so we are looking at this stage to hold our first Rugby 80 World Cup around 2009 with the venue likely to be in Japan”. He said the aim was for the new concept game to be held midway between the real World Cup so the interest in the game as a whole will be kept alive.

Kumar says the new concept Rugby 80 has generated tremendous interest particularly in the Middle East and Asia with plans currently underway by leading TV network in Dubai, Channel 10, to beam the World Cup into the world’s biggest populations, India and China in a calculated bid to promote and increase rugby’s following.

Dwyer said that Singapore has strongly indicated that it is very enthusiastic about staging a tournament involving its neighbouring countries Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia and that there was an excitement brewing in the area.