19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022: The final countdown

Finally, Godot arrived at the sports-loving island nation of Sri Lanka, in a bid to prove Sri Lanka’s might at the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games.

 

Though the celebrations of the official opening will be on 23 September, the games proper launched with the spikers getting into their gear with the advent of Beach Volleyball on the 19th, Rowing on the 20th and the Women’s Cricket celebrities will get into the quarter-final of the proceedings in a bid to defend or upgrade their Incheon Bronze on the 21st.

 

The final list of Lankan athletes will count to a total of 96 --- (62 males and 34 females, minus the assisting staff like coaches and managers).

 

The contingent did have its own incongruous assimilations -- some incomparable. But, the ship sails on and once they come ashore, who or how would rule out a pot of gold – or maybe silver or bronze, we Lankans are ready to take them as they come.

 

Yes, there were none-starters like Equestrian Mathilda Karlsson, High Jumper Ushan Thiwanka and much taunted Yupun Abeykoon - it may be disheartening but it’s the bitter truth.

 

Then, the Rugby episode is another tale of sports, but, a turn of events has given it a different bleach altogether.  

 

Due to the suspension of Sri Lanka Rugby by World Rugby, the Sri Lanka men’s team were not able to compete at the Asian Games. However, considering this, the Asia Rugby Executive Committee made a thoughtful decision to allow Sri Lankan athletes to compete under the OCA flag. This transpired with Asia Rugby officially announcing the addition of an OCA team to the roster of the Asian Games Men’s Rugby 7s event. It will be called the OCA Rugby Sevens Team – clad in white, yellow and orange.

 

This development expands the participation to 13 men’s teams and 7 women’s teams. The Asian Games have a rich history with rugby, having made its debut in 1998 in Bangkok, Thailand.

According to the games' organisers, the decision to incorporate the OCA team emerged with the athletes’ best interests in mind and through close collaboration among key stakeholders. It was a carefully considered move to uphold the fundamental principles of Asia Rugby - Equality, Transparency, and Accountability.

 

A much-relived manager, Air Commodore Sanath Piitigala, sighed and added the OCA team cleared the air of its presence at Hangzhou. He said, “From the players’ perspective, I will be serving as the manager of the team and I take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Sports and this team of officials. Also, a special thanks to the NOC SL President - Suresh Subramaniam, who left no stone unturned to make this a reality, along with NOC SL Secretary General - Maxwell de Silva; they rode that extra mile for the sake of the game of Rugby.

 

“This is a boost for the whole fraternity of Sri Lanka - giving them hope and continuity amid uncertainties, and taking these Lankan players into the tournament to get real international exposure. Being a rugby buff myself I am glad that this is now a reality.

 

Talking about the preparation Cmdr Pitigala said that they are glad that they have a reliable captain in Tarinda Ratwatte and a well-proven coach in Dushantha Lewke. He added that they, right now, are going through the motions of honing the finer skills and playing as a unit. “They have understood the real requirement of the country. In spite of the adverse weather conditions, they are immersed in calculated training."

 

With regards to the new playing schedule, Asia Rugby carefully considered the level and ability of the athletes who will represent the OCA team and decided that the OCA team will join South Korea and Chinese Taipei in group B as a 2nd-ranked team and Malaysia will join Hong Kong China and the Philippines in Group A as a 3rd ranked team. Subsequently, Nepal will move to Group D as a 4th-ranked team.

 

It is worth noting that Asia Rugby has always considered a 13-team playing schedule and Group D was previously identified as the group with 4 teams.

 

 “We are billed to take on South Korea and Chinese Taipei, and we have faced them in tournaments in South Korea and Dubai. There, our boys performed quite impressively and even the organisers were taken up with what the Lankans had to offer as a team. Taking this into consideration, I feel that the team that is playing under the OCA team will raise more than a few eyebrows”, he commented.

 

 “I know playing under the OCA banner there would have some points of view, but as far Sri Lanka Rugby and players are concerned, we are taking part in this tournament and it is very important to us”.     

 

Numerous meetings and discussions were held between Asia Rugby, the Sri Lanka National Olympic Committee (NOC SL), and the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs in Sri Lanka, to ensure that these athletes wouldn’t miss out on an event that occurs only once every four years. The following agreements were reached: