Sri Lanka, Asia's little-known rugby haven
COLOMBO — It's a long way from England, the cradle of rugby, but steamy, jungle-clad Sri Lanka is a little-known haven for the sport in Asia, with even school matches attracting…
COLOMBO — It's a long way from England, the cradle of rugby, but steamy, jungle-clad Sri Lanka is a little-known haven for the sport in Asia, with even school matches attracting TV audiences of millions.In a country better known for its cricket, tea exports and bitter civil war, Sri Lanka has quietly nurtured a large playing population with an aspirational bent which makes rugby a daily feature on both the sport and society pages.President Mahinda Rajapakse, whose three sons play -- including one who is a flanker for the national team -- regularly attends games with his family, putting them firmly in the media and political spotlight.And this year, Sri Lanka broke through into the elite Asian Five Nations tournament for the first time, raising hopes of further national successes.The annual tournament between Saint Peter's and Saint Anthony's College, held this month in Colombo, illustrates how rugby has gone from colonial recreation to mainstay of Sri Lankan high society.Like most school fixtures, the event has attracted hundreds of well-heeled spectators, turning the venue into a virtual family picnic.As women pass around boxes of sandwiches and hot dogs, men down fizzy drinks or cold beer and shout advice as the game progresses.Dozens of corporate executives loosen their ties, roll-up shirt sleeves, and sip cold drinks, while cheering their former school.On the sidelines, press photographers shoot smartly dressed young women."Rugby is hugely popular at school level. Each game attracts thousands of spectators, much more than a top club cricket match," Chandrishan Perera, a former administrator, national captain and rugby coach, told AFP.The Bradby Shield, a two-legged annual rugby fixture played between two boys' schools -- Royal and Trinity College -- regularly draws more than 18,000 spectators. Millions watch it live on television."Bradby Shield attracts crowds second only to a Sri Lanka cricket one-day game," said Perera.Sri Lanka has been playing rugby union since the British colonialists first intro
last modification 2011-05-25 05:30:37
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