Rugby on stage again

The 2007 rugby season started off with the Mercantile Sevens and it got off with a bang. Seylan Bank and Ceylinco battled out for the Cup. Seylan Bank boasting of a number of known rugby players which included national caps emerged winners. Ceylinco with a determined performance gave the strong Seylan side some anxious moments. There were times that Ceylinco were in the lead and spectators expecting an upset. It was the experience that finally made determined the champions. To Sudath Sampath who coached the champions it would have been a moment of satisfaction as he maps his path as a sevens coach in Sri Lanka. To Martis , who coached Ceylinco , should be pleased that the young side he coached came up to the final beating many a better known teams. The tournament would have also given the Chairman of selectors and now Vice President of the Union, Asanga Seneviratne hope for the future. Asanga who was present during the tournament would have seen a lot of talent that was on show at Longdon Place on that day.

This tournament was played for four trophies. That is the Cup, Bowl and Shield with the losers of the cup quarter final fighting out for the plate. The first an expected 50 matches went on under lights up to around 8.00 pm with most of the finals being played under lights on day two. There was a large crowd of spectators present on both days and there was a lot of rugby they would have enjoyed with teams in the different segments being equal. The tournament is getting better and the atmosphere is becoming more carnival like. That in itself makes people spend more time at matches and augurs well for the future of the game.
Despite some well known teams and champions of the past such as Sampath Bank and HNB not being on the paddock there were thirty six teams taking part on these two days. That is a participation of at least 360 players. What happens to all these players for the rest of the season? It is understood that the organizers hope to have another tournament worked this year and they hope to have two tournaments every year. It may be that there has to be more sevens organized for more seem to be interested in the shorter version of the game. We could have more games of at different levels. Say where top level club players do not take part. Also games where veterans of the mercantile sector take part. It seems Sri Lanka who are more geared and competent in sevens rugby needs more opportunities. .

The intention of the tournament according to the organizers is to give the mercantile sector employees an opportunity to get involved. It is also a chance for employees of the sector to mix around and extend the camaraderie expected from rugby. The intent and the expectation are good. The effect depends on the how well the participants take up to the sprit of the game as envisaged by the organizers. To ensure that the spirit is as expected that the member firms, that is the employer, make his contribution. The reason is because some players play for different teams each year Are they only employed for the tournament? There were players known to be working elsewhere playing for another company. Speaking to the organizers it transpired that it was true. They however hope to bring in closer control for the next tournament. Should it be left to the organizers to bring in controls or should be the responsibility of the corporate to ensure fair play. We are in an era where good governance and corporate social responsibility is at the top of the list. Talking of social responsibility one also expects those taking part to adhere to the lofty ideals and reviews often explained in the company pronouncement and annual reports. Onus is on them to set the standards for others to follow. In similar manner one would expect the better known to set an example to the lesser known taking part. One has to remember there are established processes to sort out any issue of disagreement. In most tournament dissent and challenge to match officials are handled as serious issues of violations of the code of conduct. Checks and balances need to be introduced to tournaments if not every man who disagrees will want to challenge the official. Where is the sense of discipline? Once the better known behave in this manner what can one expect of lesser mortals. As an example the law on the kick off is very clear. What it requires is to the ball to reach the ten meter line which can be even along the ground. The law also states that if the ball does not reach ten meters but is played by an opponent then play continues. If you do not know why argue? That is how it works and the way to go is to keep in touch.