By Ranjika Perera

[caption id="attachment_163960" align="alignleft" width="356"] It is hoped that the SLRFU is given priority to carry out local tournaments for the best interest of the best rugby players in the country, without allowing the players to pick and choose what tournament they are going to play, or not play. (File photo)[/caption]

The Sri Lankan rugby fraternity had been eagerly waiting for some action for more than a year and now they are likely to be given some hope, but with some form of confusion too.

Now, Sevens rugby is due to take place in November as Asia Rugby (AR) has announced dates for the Asia Sevens tournament. The Asia Sevens are now scheduled to be to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 19 and 20 November, comprising both men’s and women’s series.

The Sevens tournament, usually spread across three legs on previous occasions, will be shortened this time to one, due to the pandemic.

Yet, a month before that, two entities -- the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) and the Sri Lanka Armed Forces -- are getting ready to organise two different events which are highly likely to overlap!

Rizly Illyas speaks

[caption id="attachment_163961" align="alignleft" width="280"] SLRFU President Rizly Illyas[/caption]

Sri Lanka had been deprived of any form of competitive rugby for more than a year now. Ceylon Hockey and Football Club (CH&FC) and the Air Force played two friendly encounters, for the Commanders’ Cup, last month.

Apart from those two games, the Sri Lankan players have not had any kind of organised training since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020.

However, reports have emerged recently on an invitational Sevens tournament, which is to be organised by the tri-forces and Police in the third week of October.

The Morning Sports contacted Rizly Illyas, President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), to find out more on the event. That is at a time the national rugby governing body too is gearing up to hold an inter-club Sevens tournament on 30 and 31 of October.

Inter-club Sevens tourney on 30 and 31 October

“There is confusion within the clubs and the fans regarding the invitational tournament,” said Illyas.

“In preparation for the Asia Sevens tournament, we, as the governing body of Sri Lanka rugby, proposed an inter-club Sevens tournament for the 30th and 31st of October. Yesterday (Saturday, 25 September) we received a formal letter of approval from the Sports Ministry and the local health sector too, to go ahead with it,” confirmed SLRFU Head.

Our efforts to contact the Armed Forces sports authorities to find out more about their stance on the issue failed yesterday.

Clubs’ participation at SLRFU tournament

[caption id="attachment_163962" align="alignleft" width="278"] Sports Director General Amal Edirisooriya[/caption]

Illyas further added: “Upon receiving the approval from the relevant authorities, we conducted a committee meeting with the clubs. Kandy and CR&FC (Ceylon Rugby and Football Club) withdrew from the tournament stating financial difficulties and the lack of preparation.

“And the tri-forces and Police are yet to confirm, given the arrangement of their own tournament. CH (Ceylon Hockey and Football Club) and Havelocks are willing to play, but are not fully okay to go ahead as yet. The tournament venue is to be finalised within the next couple of weeks.”

Meanwhile the tri-forces and Police are expected to give their verdict on taking part in the SLRFU inter-club tournament today, Monday (27).

Amal Edirisooriya’s stance

The Morning Sports also managed to contact Amal Edirisooriya, Director General Sports, over the issue yesterday.

He said that the Sports Ministry is aware of both tournaments but added that approval is not needed from the Ministry to carry out such tournaments, as long they have the approval from the health sector under the present context.

However, it is not certain whether the invitational tournament of the tri-forces have been given the green light from the medical sector as yet.

SLRFU should act tough

Now, with less than two months remaining for the Asia Sevens series, the relevant authorities should iron out their differences and work together for a common cause, for the betterment of the sport in the country.

It is hoped that the SLRFU, as the governing body of Sri Lanka’s rugby, is to be given priority to carry out local tournaments for the best interest of the rugby players in the country, without allowing those players to pick and choose what tournament they are going to play, or not play.