Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) in alliance with Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) is awaiting Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa’s appointment to submit their respective proposals to resume their domestic tournament which is to commence later next month.
SLR, President Rizly Illyas after discussions with SLSRFA officials headed by its President, B.A. Abeyratne, have written to the Sports Minister to seek the all-important appointment to discuss plans of resuming the respective tournaments, while obtaining the necessary approval from the related Ministries including the Health Ministry.
SLR conducted a Workshop last week with the assistance of Dr. Namith Sankalpana, the World Rugby panel doctor, on the theme ‘Getting back to play the game of Rugby’ highlighting the precautionary measures to be taken. SLR further granted an opportunity for the participants to raise questions if they had any doubts, which they have documented to submit to concerned authorities for their perusal and approval.
Countries like New Zealand, United Kingdom along with some other countries have already started their tournaments under closed doors complying with strict health measures. With the winter season approaching, they still face a stiff challenge of the virus spreading among their communities. However, they have put in place adequate measures to follow health guidelines and get the sports going.
Nevertheless, all praise should go to President, Prime Minister, Health Minister and the other stakeholders who have done a wonderful job to control the pandemic and restrict it to a minimum. But as a country we have to box on and sporting events too have to continue, bearing in mind sports plays a pivotal role in the country’s economy.
It is expected that the young energetic Sports Minister who has already indicated his willingness to grant permission to resume certain sports, will get on board to extend his full support to start the oval shaped ball game, which has changed gears recently and is in the process of infusing a new look format to rejuvenate the game, starting up with the Club sevens tournament.
On the other hand, it is also important that school’s rugby too should be given a kick start from where they stopped last March. The children playing their last year will be deprived of their College colours if they wind up for this year in their respective sports including rugby. It is expected the concerned Ministries will consider these factors and stipulate some guidelines to conduct these tournaments for both the schools and the club arena.
“We had a healthy discussion with Sri Lanka Rugby and decided to write to the Sports Minister seeking an appointment. We have submitted our proposal to SLR to conduct a tournament - either sevens or ten-a-side - in a worst case scenario. We want to be fair by last year players who are in the under-19 age category. They will lose their College colours if the tournaments are cancelled. Hence, we want to meet the Sports Minister along with SLR officials and to take it up further, at least to start up a tournament soon after the Advanced Level examination in November,” said Abeyratne.
