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| Backing CR to its feet |
On Wednesday it was celebration time at Longdon Place as the CR and FC called a press conference to announce the partnership they were building with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. It was termed the strategic partnership to sponsor the CR rugby Team for the year 2010. HSBC sees this as part of their sponsorship for rugby world wide.
They are the sponsors for the Asian Rugby five nation’s tournament and also a main sponsor of the recently concluded Dubai Sevens. A history of sponsoring rugby around the world is what the bank has.
According to Nick Nicolau the chief executive officer of the Bank rugby represents the key principles by which HSBC runs its business worldwide. Leadership, integrity, perseverance and courage; are also cornerstones in the game of rugby. HSBC after whom the new pavilion of the CR is named has taken this second step which follows their previous commitment to build the pavilion. HSBC it seems are not satisfied in erecting cold buildings but are interested in bringing more warmth to rugby through CR.
They intend not only to sponsor playing the game but are interested on building and freeing to society a complete individual. The sponsorship will involve the building of a full man and getting them to be more useful to society. The full man that will be useful to rugby and CR .
Being involved with the Asian five nations, the Dubai Sevens and the NSW Warathas the bank has the required pedigree to a meaningful sponsor. It has the background to crow of what they hope to do. Hopefully we will see in CR a Champion team in 2010.
In the recent past I have been taking more of a game that is fast moving towards the garbage bin. It is in this background I could be happy as I talk of the CR and its sponsors as they plan ahead and will keep the game alive. I also read elsewhere of the committee of Kandy Sport Club being elected and the names of the office bearers announced. We do pray and hope that the aspirations of the big names will be there to take rugby forward as the sword to cut Sri Lanka off has been pulled out by the governing body. In this context and if the decision to send to limbo a country that has a rugby playing history of over hundred years is taken even our nearest neighbor may not support us. The reality as I understand is the phenomenon of politically appointed bodies is more in Asia. Specifically it has roots in South East Asian Sports. Therefore when the Governing body calls for an elected body they will receive the support of most countries who do not want precedence for recognition of non elected bodies.
Getting back to my topic I have to say that CR has in the past been always among the first two and the leading contender for the cup. In 2010, I believe the Navy Sports Club too will be a top contender. In this scenario it is important that CR that has at most times fallen short by a whisker ask and find answers to why is that they have fallen short. In this context I could only say that the research among elite Olympic and professional athletes have revealed that that the use of certain mental skills and states have been repeatedly associated with superior performance for the athlete who possess them. These psychological skills and states involve goal setting, higher self confidence, anxiety management heightened concentration and the use of visualization and imagery.
With the sponsor HSBC talking of developing a full player probably they could address on this missing link that is the difference between performance and success. This may include getting the necessary video footage of the player you most admire in the position you play. Studying every aspect of his play and benchmarking your self towards that. All this will have to fit into that final mental image of the team as this is a team sport. The difference of being a good second as against being a champion is probably the mental toughness that is needed to get there.
The funds , the will , direction and support of the Sponsor HSBC being already in place what is now necessary is to get the team to where you want to be .
Unlike some others CR has had an early start with a sponsor in place. This is no easy task in the economic environment of recession that is being much talked of. CR has overcome this hurdle early and should therefore have time to concentrate on what is next to being the Champion side.
To CR we wish you the best and believe the team under the captaincy of Dushan Lewke will achieve great heights in 2010.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB |
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