By Callistus Davy
With the administration of rugby in Sri Lanka currently in tatters like a ship without its rudder, followers of the sport have been given a lifeline to witness a team from New Zealand play in two matches next month.
The thought of New Zealand’s world acclaimed thunderous All Blacks team playing in Sri Lanka may sound ridiculous to many in the island.
But the islanders will be up against a borderline team called New Zealand Under-85 kilos that will dazzle with their Maori war dance or Haka and feature in two matches one in Kandy on May 4 and other in Colombo on May 10.
Picture caption: The team comprising Hassan Sinhawansa, Nalin de Silva, New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka David Pine, Priyantha Ekanayake, Aaqib Reyal (head of brands and strategy, Dialog), Harsha Samaranayake (vice president brand and media, Dialog), Asanga Seneviratne and Imthisham Marikkar at the tour launch
“Just imagine for the first time Sri Lankans having the chance to see the Haka at our doorstep and witness Sri Lanka play against New Zealand in a match,” said former Sri Lanka winger Imthie Marikkar who has made it happen.
Marikkar was visiting New Zealand last year and pulled out a rabbit from his hat at the residence of World Cup winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry that caught former Sri Lanka Rugby president Asanga Seneviratne on the blindside.
Without an accountable rugby working body functioning and the sport in the hands of what is called a government “competent authority”, Seneviratne, who holds the chairmanship of Competions and High Performance at Asia Rugby, thought Marikkar was upto a prank.
“For a moment I thought Imthie (Marikkar) had lost his marbles when he called me saying he is at the residence of Graham Henry and that it was possible for a New Zealand team to visit us at a time Sri Lanka Rugby is in chaos, no administration in place, country defaulting and the economy in a serious downturn,” Seneviratne said on Wednesday at the launch of the New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka.
Seneviratne along with a true Sri Lankan heavyweight on the playing field in Priyantha Ekanayake, now the chairman of the National Sports Council, cleared the air, the hurdles and any potential disruptive factors with the intervention of the Sports Ministry.
According to Seneviratne the visit of the New Zealanders, the first since 1907, will cost a whopping Rs. 60 million that will be covered by four major sponsors including the front runner Dialog.
In praising Marikkar for making what many see as the impossible happen, Seneviratne discribed the once nippy winger as a silent warrior who spent his own funds in retirement at a time some of his playing day fans thought faded into oblivion.
“For over three decades Imthie has invested his own money, educated himself and became the most qualified rugby coach in the country.
“In 2017 Imthie organised a programme for 12 club and school coaches to travel to New Zealand to complete a Level Two course,” said Seneviratne.
The visit of the New Zealand team will also promote a historic tree planting project in central Rambukkana spearheaded by the evergreen ex-Air Force and Sri Lanka Number Eight Nalin de Silva who is now an environmental activist.
Over 1000 trees will be planted and named after All Blacks legends down the years and will come under the care of students of Kegalle Girls College.
