With the globe under attack by COVID-19 so did the sports in Sri Lanka which came to a complete stop from March onwards. The Inter-Club rugby league was suspended with the Super Round matches not taking place along with the oldest knock out rugby tournament in South Asia, Clifford Cup which is more than 100 [...]

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Rugby clubs find it tough to pay salaries of players

RUGBY
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With the globe under attack by COVID-19 so did the sports in Sri Lanka which came to a complete stop from March onwards. The Inter-Club rugby league was suspended with the Super Round matches not taking place along with the oldest knock out rugby tournament in South Asia, Clifford Cup which is more than 100 years.

Clubs too find it tough in their progress with the financial burden on their shoulders too heavy to carry. There is hardly any income as no rugby or gate collection plus the club bar being closed for almost for the last three months.

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) was to host the Asia Rugby Division 1 in Colombo in April but it was postponed to September but still this is in doubt. Further the Asia Sevens Series which is scheduled to take place in China, South Korea and Sri Lanka too could get delayed due to the global health condition.

Meanwhile Malaysia Rugby pulled out from hosting the Asia Rugby Under 20 Men’s and Women’s Sevens which was scheduled for end August. This could be hosted by Sri Lanka along with the Asia Rugby Top4 which is scheduled for December 2020.

Clubs have gone into huge debit balances in their bank books. According to reliable sources, CH&FC have paid their players while Kandy SC have done well by paying their players 75% of their salary without any delay. Both Havecloks and CR&FC have found it tough with their players receiving only payments till February 2020. It is noteworthy that the Park Club Head Coach Sanath Martis when offered his salary opted it be given to the boys first. This is a rare move by a club coach which is commendable.

With the rugby season for 2020/2021 scheduled to commence in November 2020, a possibility is on the cards to start off with the unplayed Clifford Cup knock out event of 2020 if majority of the clubs agree. School rugby too could go on after the Advanced level examinations which will give them time for the Presidents Trophy Knockout event as well. The youngsters need to be ready by December for the Asia Rugby Top 4 which too will take place in Sri Lanka with the dates yet to be announced.

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