Rugby Football believed to have originated in 1823 when William Webb Ellis took the football in his hands and ran with it to the goal post, has matured in to a game of skills and masculine power. Although this is not confirmed as one hundred percent true, the story is given credence due to the fact that the Rugby World Cup trophy is named “William Webb Ellis Trophy.”
In Asia, ASIAD Rugby tournament supposed to have originated in mid nineties is a grand event. The twentieth ASIAD Rugby Football tournament that was to be staged from the 18th to 25th of November in Sri Lanka now stands postponed due to participating teams, particularly, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan expressing concerns over the prevailing security situation in Sri Lanka. However, the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union, the Sri Lanka Olympics Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have assured VVIP level security at the host hotel Galadari, Colombo and at the three venues for the twelve participating teams. It was also pointed out that no sporting event in Sri Lanka had come under attack during the two decades or more of conflict and foreigners are never a target in this war.
The tournament was to have got off the ground with the first fixture to be played on the 18th November at the Royal Complex between China and Chinese Taipei. The Chairman of Singer Sri Lanka the principal sponsors of this tournament said in an interview that rugby could attain a similar status as cricket in the country during the forthcoming twentieth ASIAD to be staged in Colombo from November 18-25. Incidentally, it was Singer Sri Lanka that was the sponsor of the Sri Lanka Cricket Team when it won the World Cup in 1996.
Participating countries like Thailand, China, Chinese Taipei, India and Kazakhstan have pledged their support and confirmed their participation in the tournament. In fact the Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan had already bought their air tickets to come to Colombo. Meanwhile, the International Rugby Board is yet to announce a new host city for the Asian qualifiers. The top team will qualify for the Rugby World Cup to be held in France next year.
It is a shame that conflicts have endangered the sporting activities of peace loving people. Sporting activities or tournaments are promoted to bring out the best in individuals and/or a group of individuals playing together as a team while promoting friendship and discipline among teams and individuals. However, vested interest fighting for narrow ideologies disregards moral values in sports. This affects the very fabric of society.
Word count: 431