|
|
 |
  |
| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
More benefits with foreign players in teams - SLRFU President by RANJAN ANANDAPPA "The Caltex awards ceremony which is customary every year has now become more traditional which means continuity is in the air," said Mohan Balasuriya, the President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Union at the Observer/Caltex Rugby awards ceremony held at the Ceylon Continental Hotel last Friday. He said when Caltex took over the sponsorship with the sudden withdrawal of the beer company, the SLRFU was at a low ebb and gasping for breath from the blow that they sustained. But thanks to Caltex they have been able conduct the two tournaments and the other aspects of the SLRFU, added Balasuriya. He said that initially the league tournament took off well, but later it built upto such a crescendo the competition became so fierce and he believes that the whole tournament got overheated and apologised to the sponsors for the unforeseen circumstances that created the lapses in the tournament. He further said it was a sad situation when tournaments have to be postponed which was not done intentionally to cripple the tournament but the situation became well beyond control. Referring to the inclusion of foreign players in local sides, Balasuriya said that the benefits are more than the fewer negative aspects. "I am sure Caltex derives immense mileage due to the competition and the exposure of the foreign players and the spectator interest that attracts. I believe there are benefits and a very few negative facts if properly managed. However, the debate will continue for a long time." he said. Balasuriya said that he was of the opinion that the overheating of the tournament was the TV coverage that really reached out to the masses. "The game lies on the TV in the future and one cannot expect spectator interest because their options are now immense as opposed to even ten or twenty years ago when rugby spectator interest was in its hey day. There was virtually no entertainment whatsoever," said the SLRFU President. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
