Bowl game could include international component

MEXICO CITY It appears likely the East West Bowl game will take on some international flavour, courtesy of Canadian Football League commissioner Randy Ambrosie’s desire to grow the sport.

Sources say more than one concept is being considered to revitalize the annual university football all-star tilt that debuted in 2003, and each idea includes a Mexican component.

There are proponents of a homeand-home series between Mexican and Canadian university school teams or university all-star squads. That series would start with a game in May in Canada — replacing the East West Bowl — and finish up in December in Mexico.

Sources say it could happen as early as this year.

It’s thought that concept could then grow into a Four Nations-type tournament featuring university school or all-star teams from Canada, Mexico, the United States and perhaps Europe.

The idea is to provide a successful TV event, fill the stadium, elongate the Canadian football calendar into May and December, and both showcase and support the amateur game.

Ambrosie wouldn’t say whether the CFL is prepared to partner with USports to give the East West Bowl concept a makeover, but expressed his general support for the idea of strengthening football at all levels.

He said he’ll meet with U Sports football officials within the week to discuss how the CFL can work with them.

If it boils down to a home-andhome between school teams, the UBC T-Birds and University of Regina are the leading contenders to play a game against either the Aztecas of the Universidad de las Americas Puebla or Tecnologico de Monterrey.