SLRFU looks at trouble free rugby

By Harry Jayachandra

Controversy that was the bane of schools rugby over the past two seasons may well be coming to an end as parent body of rugby namely the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) has stepped in to ensure that there would be a trouble free league and knockout season.

At the request of the President of the SLRFU Nimal Lewke, a meeting was held at the Union Headquarters to discuss matters that need urgent attention for the improvement of the standard of schools' rugby and areas which need assistance from the SLRFU. The meeting was attended by officials from both the SLRFU and the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) which was jointly presided by Lewke and president of the SLSRFA. K.A.D. Punyadasa.

Following the discussions the SLRFU decided to invite an U-20 national rugby team from Hong Kong, Thailand or Malaysia to play two matches in Sri Lanka during September/October 2008, in preparation of the U -20 Asian Rugby Tournament.

Lewke speaking to The Sunday Times said: “We believe that with the right preparation we can win the Youth Asiad which will be held in December in South Korea. Last year we lost to Hong Kong by just one try. And in years gone by we used to look forward to the zonal tournament which is why this year after the league and knock out tournaments we will be having an Under 20 Inter-Provincial Tournament: This tournament will be jointly organized by the SLRFU and the SLSRFA. The Union bears all the expenses for this tournament which will be used as a trial to select the National Pool for the Youth Asiad.”

He added: “We told the schools association we will arrange everything for the Youth Pool. We will also assist in selecting the coach, trainer and we are also looking at the possibility of bringing down a foreign coach. We want to be number one in Asia because we believe the talent is there.”

There will also be a Development Pool for the U-16 age group which will act as feeder system for the under 20 pool and a committee has been appointed to see if tours can be arranged for the players to take part in. The SLRSFA has requested to give invitations to the Selection Committee to witness matches and select a pool consisting of players from all over the island. They can later play for any Club too of their choice.

Punyadasa revealed that students who have not got qualified through the O/L exams too can now stay back in schools and sit for exams again whilst representing the school and they could be considered as per the latest circular issued by the Education Ministry..Lewke said in conclusion:

“For the provincial tournament we will have at least two teams from Colombo and Kandy because there are so many schools playing rugby. As for the Sri Lankan senior team we have arranged a test against Arabian Gulf either on October 18 or 19 which prior to the Asian Championships will take place in Taiwan in November. At present Arabian Gulf have verbally agreed to our request.”