OBSERVER-CALTEX Rugby awards ceremony...

Lack of spectator support worries officials

by Lal Gunesekera

RUGBY: Chevron Lanka Lubricants Limited are the official sponsors of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) up to 2010, but are prepared to renew the deal beyond 2010 if they feel that the standards are improving.

This was stated by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chevron Lanka Lubricants, Kishu Gomes, at the 8th Caltex-Observer Touchdown Rugby Awards 2007 held at the Palm Lounge of the Galle Face Hotel on Wednesday night.

He also said that the clubs must create loyalty among their members in order to get more spectators drawn to the game. He said that there seems to be a decline in spectators at matches and that the management too must help to attract the crowds, which will inspire players to perform better and achieve better results.

Gomes said that from the day Caltex started their sponsorship deal with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) and the Sunday Observer in 2000, rugby on the whole has gathered momentum and in a couple of years time, will be able to make it the "Event of the Year".

He thanked the SLRFU for completing the Caltex League and Caltex Clifford Cup tournaments successfully and getting the co-operation of all clubs.

He said: "The SLRFU has been able to rally everyone around them and achieve the desired results."

Gomes further commented that the monies invested helps the country's economic development and that some companies don't seem to understand this and should help sports in Sri Lanka and make the country a productive and efficient nation.

He revealed that Chevron Lanka Lubricants Limited are to invest Rs. 23 million in the country for various projects for the rest of the year and that there contribution to the government coffers was Rs. 1.1 billion last year (2006) and estimate Rs. 1.4 billion to the coffers this year in helping the country's development.

Gomes thanked ANCL and the Sunday Observer and that he was sorry that ANCL Chairman, Bandula Padmakumara, was unable to be present at the function on Wednesday night due to other commitments, but thanked him for his contribution in making the Caltex-Observer Touchdown Rugby Awards Ceremony a grand success.

He also congratulated all the award winners.

Sponsorship necessary

The President of the SLRFU, DIG Nimal Lewke, who also heads the elite Special Task Force (STF) of the Sri Lanka Police, thanked both Chevron Lanka Lubricants and ANCL for making the Awards Nite a "wonderful event" and for sports to progress sponsorships of this nature is a must in this competitive world.

DIG Lewke also thanked Chevron Lubricants for their sponsorship package since 1999 for numerous local tournaments (League, Clifford Cup and even the revived President's Trophy this year) and personally thanked Kishu Gomes and his team at Caltex.

He too said that the spectators had decreased, but said that it will improve when there is competition.

He further said that 2007 was a successful year for Rugby for Sri Lanka who fared well at the Singer International 7's and the Asiad too. He said: "Sri Lanka has a balanced side and hope they will fare better in the future."

DIG also thanked all the award winners.

The Editor-in Chief of the Sunday Observer , Dinesh Weerawansa, said that the Caltex-Observer Touchdown Rugby Awards was an important day for the players and congratulated Kandy Sports Club for being the undisputed champions of the local scene and that he was delighted to be associated with Chevron Lanka Lubricants and his close ties with its CEO, Kishu Gomes, Weerawansa said: "Caltex has done a lot for rugby in Sri Lanka and that the Sunday Observer considers the Caltex-Observer Rugby Awards as a social responsibility. We have hosted many such events within the last week and another is to be held next week."

He too thanked all the award winners, Kishu Gomes and his team of dedicated workers, and DIG Nimal Lewke and his team at the SLRFU for giving rugby the necessary support.

The Group Brand Manager of Chevron Lanka Lubricants, Shehan Perera, in his address, said that the year 2007 was a remarkable one for rugby with the World Cup and the Asiad.

He said it was an "Exciting" year though there were the "ups and downs" with the SLRFU and that the intention of this sort of event is to encourage the award winners and wished them the best in the future.

Director (General Manager) of Chevron Lanka Lubricants, Imal Fonseka, thanked ANCL for their continued support for this event since 2000.

He also thanked his CEO, Kishu Gomes, and his team including Shehan Perera and Ms. Niloufer Vandergert for their hard work behind the scene. He also thanked DIG Lewke and his team at the SLRFU including its CEO, Dilroy Fernando, and also all the clubs and players.

Former CH & FC and Sri Lanka winger Chandrashan Perera, compered the entire proceeding with Dance Troupe of Chandana Wickramasinghe giving a few performances.

The award winners

Most Popular Ruggerite of the Year - Sanjeewa Jayasinghe (Kandy SC).

Most Popular Team of the Year - Kandy Sports Club.

Most Promising Young Player of the Year - Lasintha de Costa (CR & FC).

Best Forward - Senaka Bandara (Kandy SC).

Best Three-Quarter - Pradeep Liyanage (Kandy SC).

Best Captain - Jeewa Galgamuwa (Kandy SC).

Most Outstanding Player of the Year - Fazil Marija (Kandy SC).

Best Team of the Year - Kandy Sports Club.

See also