Dialog teams up with SLRFU to promote rugby
 The sponsorship of Sri Lanka Rugby which was announced by Dialog
Axiata the premier mobile telecom operator comes at a time when the game
of rugby which has been at the crossroads badly needed such support.Sri
Lanka has by a recent estimate more than 100 thousand players and
millions of fans. The game of rugby in Sri Lanka has a history dating
back to over a 100 years.Its popularity reached a zenith in the 1950s
through the 1980s.Since then, however, it has suffered many setbacks
including issues concerning its administration and governance and the
lack of resourcesthat affected its promotion in the country.
Propitious time
Dialog sponsorship could not have come at a more propitious time as
it will give the administration of the sport, its promotion in schools
throughout the country and in clubs the much needed push.Sri Lanka Rugby
Football Union after being mid field for some time finally hooked out a
five-year lucrative sponsorship with leading telecommunications
solutions provider DIALOG Axiata PLC. Before going on to further comment
on the Dialog sponsorship, we will be failing in our duty if we do not
mention the generous sponsorship given by Caltex for rugby over the
years.When the SLRFU were shopping for sponsors, Caltex under the
brilliant leadership of former sportsman Kishu Gomes joined in the scrum
and hooked out and scored a grand try, and the try scoring lasted for
years.
More expensive
But with the game becoming more expensive and with the escalating
costs, SLRFU asked for more. Caltex explained that they were not in a
position to heed to their request and so ended a partnership between
SLRFU and Caltex which was grand when it lasted and sad when it ended.
Dialog have been in the field or sports sponsorship for quite some time
now with their sponsorship.
The telecom giant has helped develop school cricket, athletics,
rugby, volleyball, rowing and disabled sport and has sponsored national
contingents to international events including the Olympics, Paralympics,
Commonwealth, Asian, SAF and FESPIC Games.There is no doubt that rugby
is one of the most revered sport in the country with a history of over
100 years. 'Our new partnership with Dialog will help to develop the
sport to the level, which is to emerge as a force to be reckoned with in
the Asian region', said Asanga Seneviratne, the energetic and former
cricketer and ruggerite.President of SLRU at the launch of the
sponsorship.
Successful association
On behalf of Dialog, Group Chief Marketing Officer Amali Nanayakkara
said: 'This new and exclusive partnership with the SLRFU, allows us to
build and consolidate our successful association with premier Sri Lankan
sporting events. The sponsorship reinforces the company's long term
strategy, commitment and support to uplift Sri Lankan sports to compete
against the best on the international stage'.To hark back to the good
old days of rugby, one remembers the terrific excitement that prevailed
in may matches while the Havelocks and CR and FC game tool top
billing.Those were the days when beauties flocked to this game with
their Sunday best and shouted themselves hoarse and enjoyed every moment
of the game. At the end of the game the social that followed also saw
the making of marriages.
Most prominent
There were many such marriages, with the most prominent being that of
former Sri Lanka's crack scrum half Mohan Sahayam to pretty Penny
Poulier. Sahayam was beauty in action and what memorable and lasting
memories he provided when he had ball in hand. Then there were Noel
Brohier & Gillian Ingleton,Sari De Sylva, Romany McHeyser,Gotabaya
Dissanayake, Suzie McHeyser, Didacus De Almeida Minoli Perera, Malin
Goonetilleke, Charmo Alles,Lionel Almeida & Yvonne Alles, Eric Roles &
Dawn Fernando Reggie & Dawn Bartholomeuse, Bumpy & Romaine Jayasekera,
Keith Paul & Shelagh Patternot.
That was also the time when classy rugby reporters of the caliber of
M.B.Marjan, Austin Daniel and M.V.Muhsin writing for the 'Times of
Ceylon' and the 'Daily Mirror' who described the action in prose and
verse.And those were also the days when there were rugby crazy
individuals who would spend their own money and precious time building
champion club teams.
Such men were Kishin Butani who helped CH and FC win many a trophy
and former ruggerite Malik Samarawickrema. Pity that Butani is lost to
the game.Samarawickrema is still in the scrum and doing wonders for
Kandy Sports Club who have been dominating the club rugby scene for
several years winning all trophies on offer. With the entry of Dialog
into rugby it is hoped that those glorious days that rugby enjoyed with
full houses watching the game and lapping up every moment of the action
will return.
Lankans return to form
The Lankan cricketers who surprisingly dropped form losing the Second
Twenty20 and the First One-Day International to Pakistan hit back
strongly to win the Second ODI. The Five match series now stands at
1-all and if the Lankans can stay focused and continue the good form,
then the series could be theirs and which victory will enhance our
reputation in this style of cricket.
The Lankans owe their victory to opening batsman Tillekeratne Dilshan
who smashed a sterling unbeaten 119 and skipper Mahela Jayawardena who
dropped down the order and made an effervescent 53 and Thisara Perera
for his magnificent spell of 6 for 44. Both Dilshan and Jayawardena who
have been the pillars over the years on which Sri Lankan cricketing
success was built, showed that they can still stand and deliver when the
chips are down. It was also pleasing to watch young and promising Dinesh
Chandimal getting into the run making habit that had deserted him for
some time. He must remember that as a batsman, big run making is his
business. After the Dilshan, Jayawardena batting show, the sixer-hitting,
bowling all rounder Thisatra Perera sent the crowd into raptures
blasting two big sixes and two fours like he did in the 2011 World Cup
final against India. After the batsmen made merry, the bowlers,
especially Thisara Perera with a haul of 6 for 44 proved unplayable. It
was a grand double for the young Perera.
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