By Gayashan Withanarachchi
Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), having its first media briefing on Friday (11) at the Navy Light House Gallery in Colombo, revealed that the newly elected SLR committee, under President Rizly Illyas, is ready to hold two stages of a Sevens tournament, in both Colombo and the south, depending on approval given by the Sports Ministry and the national health authorities.
If such tournaments are to get underway, they could well be the first rugby competition of significance to be held in Sri Lanka ‘after’ the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition, SLR also announced on Friday that they will hold discussions with all clubs and associations in a workshop, to be staged on Thursday, 17 September.
[caption id="attachment_97756" align="alignnone" width="1037"]
Sri Lanka Rugby’s (SLR) new President Rizly Illyas (centre) addresses the media in his committee’s first press briefing held on Friday (11) at the Navy Light House Gallery in Colombo. Also in the picture are SLR Vice President Rear Admiral H.A.U.D. Hettiarachchi (on left) and Ranjith Weerasinghe, Director, SLR Sevens Photo Pradeep Dambarage[/caption]
AGM on 29 August
In the workshop, the restarting plans amid the pandemic as well as the future plans of the newly elected SLR committee will also be discussed with all leading stakeholders of the national controlling body taking part.
The 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of SLR was held on 29 August where former Deputy President Illyas was elected as its new Head in place of outgoing Lasitha Gunaratne.
President with long experience
Nazeen Mohamed, Vice President of SLR, Jude Dimithri, its General Secretary, also took part in the newly-elected SLR’s first media conference on Friday.
Illyas, an experienced administrator, has also served as SLR Secretary after having a playing career where he represented St. Peter’s College - Colombo, Petersons Rugby Club, and the Colombo Gymkhana Club.
Four-week bio-bubble
Approval by both Sports and Health Ministries will be sought for the above Sevens tournament soon.
SLR also disclosed on Friday they will take every necessary step to provide four weeks of residential facilities, including during the two weeks where the proposed tournament is going to be held, with regard to the present bio-security requirements under Covid-19 situations. The two stages of the competition could be held on Friday and Saturday, they told media.
To make a start somehow
“What we need is to create an atmosphere to have a rugby competition anywhere in Sri Lanka. We are handing over these proposals not to get opportunity only for the national-level teams. These proposals are also binding even the schools tournaments. We have already held discussions with the President of the Schools Rugby Association regarding that,” Illyas said.
When asked why training for rugby players have not started yet though the government authorities have given green light for initial training for cricket, football, and rugby last May, SLR Vice President Nazeen Mohamed answered saying: “Our national team did not have any tournaments then (in May). We can’t create squads and start training without any tournament coming up. All events conducted by even the Asia Rugby had been cancelled by then. They have not yet announced any such dates.”
Sri Lanka Rugby’s (SLR) new President Rizly Illyas (centre) addresses the media in his committee’s first press briefing held on Friday (11) at the Navy Light House Gallery in Colombo. Also in the picture are SLR Vice President Rear Admiral H.A.U.D. Hettiarachchi (on left) and Ranjith Weerasinghe, Director, SLR Sevens Photo Pradeep Dambarage[/caption]
AGM on 29 August
In the workshop, the restarting plans amid the pandemic as well as the future plans of the newly elected SLR committee will also be discussed with all leading stakeholders of the national controlling body taking part.
The 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of SLR was held on 29 August where former Deputy President Illyas was elected as its new Head in place of outgoing Lasitha Gunaratne.
President with long experience
Nazeen Mohamed, Vice President of SLR, Jude Dimithri, its General Secretary, also took part in the newly-elected SLR’s first media conference on Friday.
Illyas, an experienced administrator, has also served as SLR Secretary after having a playing career where he represented St. Peter’s College - Colombo, Petersons Rugby Club, and the Colombo Gymkhana Club.
Four-week bio-bubble
Approval by both Sports and Health Ministries will be sought for the above Sevens tournament soon.
SLR also disclosed on Friday they will take every necessary step to provide four weeks of residential facilities, including during the two weeks where the proposed tournament is going to be held, with regard to the present bio-security requirements under Covid-19 situations. The two stages of the competition could be held on Friday and Saturday, they told media.
To make a start somehow
“What we need is to create an atmosphere to have a rugby competition anywhere in Sri Lanka. We are handing over these proposals not to get opportunity only for the national-level teams. These proposals are also binding even the schools tournaments. We have already held discussions with the President of the Schools Rugby Association regarding that,” Illyas said.
When asked why training for rugby players have not started yet though the government authorities have given green light for initial training for cricket, football, and rugby last May, SLR Vice President Nazeen Mohamed answered saying: “Our national team did not have any tournaments then (in May). We can’t create squads and start training without any tournament coming up. All events conducted by even the Asia Rugby had been cancelled by then. They have not yet announced any such dates.”