The Sri Lanka Under-20 Boys’ rugby team, also known as the Junior Tuskers, led by Shaahid Zumri of Isipathana College, took wing to India yesterday (7), to compete in the Asia Rugby Emirates U20 Men’s and Women’s Sevens Championship, which is set to be worked off in Bihar, India over the weekend (9-10 August).

The boys team consists of a crop of deserving young talents and experienced hands, including the likes of Pasindu Bandara of St. Peter’s being Zumri’s deputy, Yehan Bulathsinhalage from S. Thomas’ and Janith Marasinghe of St, Joseph’s, to name a few.

The team will be coached by ex-Sri Lanka, CR and FC and Isipathana No. 8 Shamlie Nawaz, with ex-Navy SC wing Saliya Handapangoda being his assistant.

The Sri Lanka Under-20 Girls’ rugby team led by Minoli Jude from the All Saints College, Colombo and  coached by Nawaz, also left the country yesterday, to contest the championship which is being staged in India for the first time.

However, a noticeable aspect in both teams is neither being accompanied by any officials from  either the Education or the Sports Ministry, which is a requirement when sending youth squads for international competitions overseas.

Both teams consist of a total of 15 players each, inclusive of three standbys, who are accompanied by eight officials, following approval granted by the Sports Ministry.

The officials include SLR Coaching Director Inthi Marikar, Udaya Hettiarachchi (Chef de Mission/Head of Admin), H.D.S.D. Soysa (Trainer), Rohan Chinthaka (Manager/Men’s Team and Guardian), Shafin Majid (Physiotherapist), Dr. Pradeep Kiriella (Team Doctor), Sujani Ratnayake (Manager/Women’s Team and Guardian) and National Selection Committee Chair K.D. Sudath Sampath. 

The two-day Sevens extravaganza is slated to feature teams from Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, and Sri Lanka. 

The teams

Boys: Shaahid Zumri (capt.), Pasindu Bandara (vice-capt.), Gayan Perera, Udeesha Ratnayake, Mahathir Raban, Fahad Nazar, Rushen Bandaranayake, Yehan Bulathsinhalage, Kalindu Silva, Isuru Vithanage, Janith Marasinghe, and Janidu Wijeratne

Standbys: Dineda Wickramarachchi, Abdullah Faizer, and Praneeth Silva

Girls: M.G.T.A. Jeewamane, K.A.C. Sathsarani, M.A.D.A. Shiyona, N.L. de Silva, M.D. Jude, A.M.S.N. Adhikari, K.A.I. Kaveesha, R.H.V. Kaushalya, M.G.G.P. Sathsarani, R.D.N. Diwyanjali, A.P.D.E.C. Gunasinghe, and W.I.H.H. Weeraparackrama

Standbys: P.D.Y. Bimansa, D.N. Shockman, and K.A.T.S. Perera