ISSN: 1391 - 0531
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Vol. 41 - No 39
Sports

Foreign coach to handle Under-19 rugby squad

The junior under-19 rugby Asiad will be held in November 2007, probably in Thailand.

‘The Sri Lanka Rugby Union has planned a development programme ahead’ said Nimal Lewke the President of the SLRFUand added “Determined that our juniors will be a force to be reckon with. aiming to be among the first three. It needs strategic planning to harness talent at district level. S.W. Chang will oversee Colombo district. Ananda Kasturiarachchi (Kandy District) Assisting the less affluent schools at district level. Not forgetting Sabaragamuwa and Ruhuna. Quite a number of rural schools have joined the rugby scrummage.

‘In the past the universities – Colombo and Peradeniya played rugby in the national tournaments. The SLRFU has decided to revive the game and help the undergrads. Senarath de Alwis has been appointed to oversee the development programme Assist them with qualified coaches. Be it at Peradeniya and at Colombo University. De Alwis will do the spadework. Also field a Combined Universities team to play in a provincial tournament.

‘My objective is to catch’em young. For them eat, sleep, drink, breathe and live with the spirit of rugby. To achieve success Sanath Martis will be drafted to handle the pool.

‘However we need a driving force to oversee as a consultant. We are confident of getting a foreign coach either from Australia or England. Already overtures have been made to the Australian High Commissioner Dr. Greg French U.K. High Commissioner Dominic Chilcott. Had a fruitful discussion. It will become a reality. The SLRFU has already set its wheels in motion to uplift the game. President Mahinda Rajapaksa an ardent rugby supporter has set the ball rolling. The game back to the old stables at Race Course. A directive has been given to the Mayor of Colombo to this effect’.
-BW

 
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Copyright 2007 Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka.