|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 14 March 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
IRB gives World Cup status to Singer-SriLankan International Sevens by LAL GUNASEKERA The International Rugby Board (IRB) has granted the Singer-SriLankan International Rugby 7's of the Kandy Sports Club, Rugby World Cup (RWC) status this year and it's a qualification round meant only for Asian countries. This event is to take place on September 10, 11 and 12 at the Bogambara Stadium. A spokesman for Kandy Sports Club told the Sunday Observer that they were very happy to get IRB recognition for this tournament this year and even the two main sponsors Singer (Sri Lanka) Limited and SriLankan Airlines too, are glad that the IRB has at last brought recognition to this event. Twelve countries will scrum down at Bogambara. They are Japan, South Korea, Guam, Arabian Gulf, China, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka. He further said that the Schools 7's too will be worked off concurrently and that Kandy Sports Club together with the sponsors will organise numerous events for added attraction. Last year (2003), Sri Lanka won the Plate title beating Germany 26-19 in the semi-final while beating Belgium 33-19 in the final. However, the Lankans fared disastrously at the Hong Kong 7's, Dubai 7's and South Africa 7's and failed to get an invitation for this year's Hong Kong 7's to be staged later this month. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), will go ahead and conduct its Sri Lanka Inter-Club 7's on March 27 and 28 at Longden Place despite many protests, stating its closer to the general elections on April 2. The SLRFU were unable to postpone this event again. The first-round of the Caltex League is scheduled to be from April 23 to July 4 and the second-round from July 9 to August 8. The Knock-Out Championship for the Clifford Cup is to be worked off from August 13 to 22 at Longden Place. Last year (2003), Kandy SC under Sajith Mallikaratchi won the League title losing only to CH (22-36) in the second-round, the Clifford Cup beating CH 30-22 in the final and the Inter-Club 7's beating Army 27-5 in the final. The Premier Champions Trophy was won by Havelocks beating CR & FC 23-21 in the final. Soon after the completion of the Clifford Cup tournament, the national selectors are to pick the national pool to be in training for the Asian Championship to be staged in Hong Kong from November 3 to 8. The Lankans are scheduled to leave the island on October 26. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
