Kit Super 8 Rugby C'ships begins on April 30

RUGBY: Dialog GSM, will sponsor the first ever KIT Super 8 Rugby Championship. The Championship, which begins on 30th of April and concludes on 11th May 2006, will see the top teams in the Western Province, comprising Police, Army, Air Force, Navy, CH and FC, Havelocks SC, CR and FC and Old Zahira SC taking on each other.

The tournament will take on a knockout format with the first encounter taking place on 30th April and 2nd, 3rd and 4th May at the Police Park. The four surviving teams will provide two days of action on 7th and 8th May at the Havelock Park. The finals will take place on 11th May at the CR&FC grounds trophies up for grabs include the Kit Super 8 Rugby Championship Trophy, the Runners-up.

Speaking at a media conference to announce the sponsorship, Dialog GSM's General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Nushad Perera said, "As one of the country's foremost sports sponsors, it is only fitting that we should support this inaugural tournament which aims to encourage players and increase the standard of Rugby in Sri Lanka.

We thank the Western Province Rugby Football Union and the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union for devising this Championship. Their enthusiasm, along with the talent of the players and the support of the fans, is sure to make this one of the most anticipated events on our local rugby calendar".

Dialog GSM has been a prominent sponsor of Sri Lankan Sports and is committed to developing talent in Sri Lanka to international standards. The company is closely associated with School Cricket, Athletic, Swimming, Volleyball, Rugby, Football, Rowing and Disabled Sports. Dialog GSM has also sponsored national contingents to the Olympics as well as international events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Athletic Championships and SAF Games.

The President of the Western Province Rugby Football Union Major General H.M.N. Krishnaratne said that this tournament was organised to to give the 'A' Division clubs in the Western province the much needed exposure before the 'A' Division League Rugby Tournament. As most of the clubs are of equal strength the matches are likely to be closely fought out.

The Deputy President of the WPRFU DIG Nimal Lewke said that they decided to conduct this tournament to give experience to 'A' Division clubs in the Western Province which will be taking part in the 'A' Division League tournament. He said that the winners of the tournament will be awarded the Kit Super 8 Rugby Trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 while the runners up will receive Rs. 30,000.

The Best Player of the tournament will receive a cash award of Rs. 10,000. He also revealed that two outstanding players and a coach will be sent to Taranaki Rugby Academy in New Zealand for training after the tournament.

From next year every player who takes part in this tournament will be paid an allowance and he hoped to invite eight leading rugby playing schools to take part in the tournament. (R.S.)