abr.21.2009

Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association (TTCGA) and Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Larry Romany says Caribbean Rugby nations need to be given the opportunity to once again participate in the Commonwealth Games rugby sevens competition.
 
Since 2002  it has become near impossible for Caribbean teams to qualify for the prestigious Commonwealth Games as an emphasis on the World's top ranked teams rugby 7s teams has seen Canada with a clear advantage .
 
"In addition to Canada the IRB needs to allow the number one ranked English Caribbean team entry to the Commonwealth Games.There is no way the growth of the game in the Caribbean can be encouraged if the Caribbean has no realistic access to the Commonwealth Games"
 
 Romany says it has been a frustrating experience since 2002 trying to get  the Commonwealth Games Federation(CGF) and the International Rugby Board (IRB) to address the situation.
 
" My research has shown that the Caribbean rugby nations have no opportunity to earn IRB World  Seven series points.My concern is that with no opportunity to earn a world ranking.What then is the situation? not that the Caribbean has no chance?.There needs to be greater equity in the process" said Romany
 
Romany made the point that with rugby seeking to regain Olympic Status universality is an important concept for  the IRB to embrace.
 
''Like all other sports,exposure to high level competition is vital for Caribbean rugby.The sport is on the Pan Am Games programme and it is more than likely that it will also be on the Central America and Caribbean Games(CAC) programme but the fact of life is that the World's best rugby teams are in the Commonwealth Games.I am urging the IRB and the Commonwealth Games Federation to allow the Caribbean rugby nations access to the rugby sevens competition in next years Commonwealth Games in Delhi" said Romany