Kandy crowd let down by high ticket rates

by Hafiz Marikar

Kandy rugby may be on a grand high but their ticket rates for matches too have also sky-rocketted and many fans complain they are being unfairly treated.

Today entrance to matches is on the very high side and most spectators over here in Kandy are disappointed over the lofty gate. It is also a well known fact that without such a large following to support the team, Kandy rugby may not have reached such a glamorous state as it is today as the players take so much of pride in performing for a club that commands the largest crowd patronage.

Meanwhile the inter club first round League tournament is gathering momentun as Kandy Sports Club and Havelocks appear to be the only two clubs able to stake their claim on the title while occupying the first and second slots in the points table respectively.

The two teams will meet on January 2 at Havelock Park in what is expected to be a blockbustre match. Over here in Kandy, rugby is at the heart of the local community providing a great social environment and culture that rugby is renowned for. The belief is that once you've learned the basics of rugby, anything seems possible on the field. All you can imagine is breaking through a big tackle, executing the game-winning kick or subduing an opponent right where he catches the ball.

But then the one question that is being asked today is are the paying fans able to get their money's worth.

The Kandy team no doubt is blessed with a well balanced side that has had a dream start to defend the title. The glittering cast of 15 players have delivered whenever they have been selected while also taking into account the spirit with which they've played the game.

The panel which make the selections include former Sri Lanka players like the Chairman Kandy Rugby Lasantha Wijesuriya, coach Sean Wijesinghe, assistant coach Nalaka Weerakkody, team manager Saliya Kumara and convener Kapila Silva.

What has made Kandy a special team is that their forwards are big and heavy compared to the other clubs. They are also fast on their feet while the halves combination of Roshan Weeraratne and Fazil Marija is at its best.

They have been the main architects that decided the course of the game so far. Perhaps it is quite natural given the fact that Kandy has the most number of Internationals.

For Kandy, rugby is designed with the athlete in mind where a range of skills from ball handling, running and evasion takes centre-stage.

They also have two solid props and the hooker strikes the ball like lighting.

The two towering second rowers apart from jumping for the ball are terrors on the loose while the fast breaking flankers are solid in defence.