National rugby team commence training for Asian Games
Many correspondences were exchanged between Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), serving a local and global suspension currently, and the Ministry of Sports (MoS) after the local rugby authorities’ hands were left in tight without being able to seek a potential sponsor or access their bank accounts to fund team’s training.
The World Rugby (WR) had officially written to the NOC on July 26 stating the fact that ‘athletes should not be penalised the governance issues’ and that the Sri Lanka 7s rugby team should enter the Asian Games under the NOC flag. This was after NOC chief Subramaniam’s intervention through the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which WR made an alteration to their stand to allow Sri Lanka to field a men’s rugby 7s team, but under the NOC flag.
The decision to permit a men’s rugby 7s team was made after WR and Asian Rugby officials made a recent visit to Sri Lanka last month. Sri Lanka began their player selection process after receiving the green light and by mid July, followed by a budget proposal for the team’s training and travel to China by the SLR Executive Director, Hassan Sinhawansa.
But towards the end of this week, no progress with regard to preparation of the team took place, until the NOC chief confirmed that training started on Friday and the 12 players and the three-member coaching staff will receive the basic facilities needed to proceed with their preparations.
The MoS, who had a major part to play in supporting the NOC with their new responsibility, however remain distanced even at this point according to close sources. Initially it was the MoS who led the SLR towards its present calamity, causing an abrupt halt to the rugby administration, who usually fund their national teams with the support of corporate sponsorships and other sources.
With SLR being dismantled from officially functioning, and a pending legal battle between SLR and MoS, the responsibility now solely comes on the shoulders of the NOC to look after the men’s 7s rugby team from its formation till the end of the Asian Games 2023.
Subramaniam firmly told the Sunday Times that the Sri Lanka men’s 7s team will definitely take part at the regional multisport event, and that they will also closely work with the MoS and obtain their assistance at needed areas.
According to information the appointed Manager of the team Sanath Pitigala, SLR High Performance Manager Kamal Jayathilake and Coach Dushanth Lewke had prepared a training schedule that would enable the squad to begin their preparation at any given time. A senior official of SLR welcomed the move by NOC and MoS, which enables the players to take part in the biggest regional multisport event, despite falling behind schedule in planning.
If Sri Lanka fails to field a team as confirmed earlier at the upcoming Asian Games, a possible fine is on the cards, which may be equivalent to the amount mentioned in the budget proposal. The Sri Lanka men’s 7s rugby team, captained by Tarinda Ratwatte, also includes Adeesha Weeratunga, Chathura Seneviratne, Anjala Hettiarachchi, Akash Madushanka, Dinupa Senevirathne, Gemunu Chethiya, Dharshana Dabare, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Ramesh Fernando, Heshan Jensen and Adam Gauder. The confirmed final team, however, is yet to be officially released by the relevant authorities.
This will be the second occasion this year that a Sri Lanka sports team or an athlete is participating under the NOC flag instead of the native country’s flag due to administrative issues. Pugilist Niraj Wijewardena, who is currently taking part in the 13th Taipei City Cup International Boxing Tournament under the NOC flag is guaranteed with a bronze medal in the Men’s 71kg weight category. On Friday he beat the Taiwan champion 2-1 (5-0, 5-0, 2-3) to reach the semi-finals of the category, which could upgrade his chances of winning a medal beyond bronze.