Unprecedented Dialog sponsorship, a move in the right direction – Asanga Seneviratne
Asanga Seneviratne
The unprecedented sponsorship of a regional rugby tournament by Dialog Axiata PLC is no flash in the pan. It is the story of an initial discussion that got underway well before the break of the COVID-19 pandemic bearing fruit two years later. Director Competitions and Tournaments – Asia Rugby is the official tag and his name is synonymous as a doer both on and off the field of rugby in this country.
Our very own Asanga Seneviratne, who orchestrated the Dialog sponsorship for the upcoming Asian Series edition in Dubai explained succinctly the so called move.
“Dialog has been involved with Sri Lankan Rugby since 2012, from the inception of my tenure as President of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR). Asia Rugby has the envious record of having the largest rugby playing population in the world – a fact documented by World Rugby (WR). Initial discussions commenced prior to COVID-19. This is a follow up,” said Seneviratne.
When questioned as to whether this arrangement is a one off measure, Seneviratne was firm in stating that it would not be so.
“We (Asia Rugby) signed a one year contract as a first step and are definitely focused on exploring the way forward,” emphasised the former national rugby player turned business magnate.
Seneviratne is entrusted with an additional responsibility of chairing the Advisory Panel for rugby appointed by the Minister of Sports, which entity upon appointment has given rise to concerns of the possibility of treading on the authority and mandate of the duly elected sport’s governing body the SLR.
Negating such fears Seneviratne stated thus; “Absolutely not, we are answerable to the minister; our recommendations would be submitted to the minister. Our task is to expedite the restart of rugby in the country. We have met with the stakeholders and have moved quickly.”
“Schools rugby (7s tournaments) is recommended to kick start as provincial tournaments from December 16 onwards covering five rugby-playing provinces and the club rugby tournament by the third week of January 2022. Plans are afoot to vaccinate schoolboy rugby players free of charge monitored by the Ministry of Sports. Schools trophy matches (15-a-side) are recommended to commence by February 2022.”
“It is now up to the respective associations and administrations to take it from here on. I must say that the schools rugby association has responded to these recommendations positively” added Seneviratne.
The recommendations above, if implemented would provide schools the opportunity to reschedule the now almost lost 2021 season early next year and to shift the 2022 season to mid or late next year.