Defending Clifford Cup Champions and Nippon Paint Sri Lanka Rugby Major League Runner-up CR and FC has decided to give away 50 complimentary tickets to schools in the surrounding areas to witness their home matches at Longden Place beginning from the matches next week.
This initiative was confirmed by the incumbent President of the club Tikiri Ellepola speaking to Daily News recently. “ We want to attract more crowds to witness the matches hosted by us. As an initiative we decided to offer 50 complementary tickets per school and attract around 12 schools in the vicinity around our club to witness and cheer the clubs.”
“Today the spectator turn up for matches is very low compared to 1990’s and early 2000. Rugby has been a big crowd puller but due to various reasons it has declined drastically. As a pioneer club, we are making this initiative to try out this segment encouraging the kids from schools both girls and boys to cheer the players which we think will be a great initiative.” Said Tikiri Ellepola.
CR just celebrated the centenary year, is also looking at the possibility of installing floodlights to their grounds. The project which is estimated around 45 million rupees is in discussion and the present committee has approached afew organisations seeking their support to make this project a reality. The picturesque Longdon Place ground has a membership of over several thousands members and is striving hard to fulfill this project.
“We need this flooddlight facility to be installed in our premises. This will also play a key role in attracting more crowds who will be able to witness the games after office hours. We have got a fully fledged pavilion installed with the support of Football Sri Lanka. We have made another request to them regarding the floodlights project and awaiting their response. There is no big difference between rugby and football and if we succeed in this endeavour it will benefit both parties.” Concluded Tikiri Ellepola.
