Rugby balls distributed among Kandy schools

S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen, - Kandy Sports correspondent

We have plans to promote and develop rugby in the Central Province but lack of funds has been a major drawback and we could not achieve our targets said the President of the Central Province Rugby Football Union and former St. Anthony's College and Upcountry skipper Tuan Dole.

He said this when he distributed rugby balls to schools and Club in the Kandy area at a ceremony held at the Army Central Command, Kandy.

He said that these Rugger balls were received from the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union for the first time since he assumed office as President and the distributions were made to the clubs and schools. We do not want to retain anything with us and what is given to us will go to rugby. Rugby balls will be also distributed to schools and clubs in Nawalapitiya, Hatton and Nuwara Eliya.

He said to be a recipient of the rugger balls these schools and clubs should register with us and we must have a record and also ensure they play rugby and that it has gone to the correct parties. Thats the way we work. We are not slipshod or off handish. If we are provided the necessary facilities, we deliver the goods.

Speaking further he said we have no sponsors nor any financial backing, then how are we doing to conduct the rugby programmes drawn by us. To conduct a major rugby programmes in Kandy it will coast over Rs. 250,000 as it will be unfair to conduct these programmes for only Kandy schools who have access to watching top class rugby matches played in Kandy by Kandy Sports Club and schools like Trinity, St. Anthony's, Kingswood, Vidyartha, Dharmaraja and St. Sylvester's. They can learn a lot by watching these matches. But how about the schools in Mahiyangana, Hasalanka, Matale, Wasgamuwa, Dambulla, Nuwara Eliya, Walapane and other areas off the beaten track.

The rugby coach to teach everything. They will have to come to a central place like Kandy and learn these things. We will have to provide them lunch and refreshments, The Technical officers and rugby coaches will have to be paid. Nothing could be obtained free these days in which everything is for money and competitive. These will have to be understood by everyone.

He said sometime back when Maurice Perera was the President of the CPRFU a similar rugby coaching camp for children was conducted at Nittawela and was sponsored by the Kandy District Sports Development Association which had funds at that time.