The 2019 Clifford Cup knockout rugby competition was thrown into disarray following the decision of Kandy Sports Club to refrain from participating following Sri Lanka Rugby’s refusal to accede to their request to play their matches at Nittawela.
SLR had arranged for Kandy SC’s Clifford Cup matches to be played at Pallekele to which the league champions were not agreeable.
Kandy SC made a request to the SLR for a change of venue from Pallekele to Nittawela.
However the SLR after a meeting of their executive committee stated, “based on the responses received from the other participating teams to your letter dated March 10, 2019 it was decided to play all Dialog Clifford Cup knockout tournament matches at neutral grounds. Therefore all the matches played in Kandy will be played at Trinity College rugby ground, Pallekele and all the matches played in Colombo will be played at Racecourse International Rugby Stadium, Colombo 7. “With regards to your concern about the spectator attendance for the matches, the Executive Committee decided not to charge any entrance fee for the Dialog Clifford Cup knockout tournament matches played in Kandy and Colombo.”
Kandy SC’s letter to SLR reads, “We have made several requests to play our game at Nittawela and since the Union continues to insist that the games be played at Pallekele, we are reluctantly compelled to inform you that we will not participate in the above tournament this year.
“You are well aware that only 200-300 spectators watch the games at Pallekele whereas there will be a crowd of around 3000-4000 if it is played at Nittawela and even more if it is a final. If the intention of the Union is to promote the game in the outstations, spectator support is essential.”
Kandy SC was to play Air Force in the first knockout match on Saturday at Pallekele.
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