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| Sunday, 26 June 2005 |
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Japan hot favourite again for Kandy's Singer-SriLankan Airlines Rugby Sevens by Lal Gunasekera Rs. 20 million has been pumped in by both Singer (Sri Lanka) Limited and SriLankan Airlines for the 7th Singer-SriLankan Airlines International Rugby 7's, which is now an International Rugby Board (IRB) Satellite event for Asia conducted by the Kandy Sports Club. The tourney is held under the auspices of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) at Nittawela on September 9, 10 and 11. This is being co-sponsored once again by Connaissance de Ceylan. The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Iswan Omar, told the Sunday Observer that 12 countries (including Sri Lanka) have now confirmed their participation. They are Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Thailand, Arabian Gulf, Guam, Singapore, Malaysia, Kazakhastan, China and Sri Lanka. Omar said that the 12 countries were invited on current IRB-ARFU 7's rankings based on the RWC 7's 2005 (Asia), and that the format for next year (2006), will remain at 12 teams, but those who finish 11th and 12th at this year's event will be relegated for next year (2006) and these two vacancies will be filled by either India, Pakistan, Philippines, Kampuchia, Laos, Kyrgizstan, Uzbekistan or Mongolia. He further said that a team will comprise 10 players and three officials and all sides will be provided with return air tickets by SriLankan Airlines at a cost of Rs. 9 1/2 to Rs. 10 million. He also disclosed that the IRB will be represented by Mark Eagan and Gerard Gallagher, while ARFU's Secretary-General Jamie Scott too will be present in Kandy. Last year (2004), Sri Lanka beat Kazakhastan 26-10 and lost to Thailand 10-26, but after losing 5-49 to Japan in the "quarters" of the Cup category, went on to win the Plate final beating Arabian Gulf 31-19. Kazakhastan on the Bowl beating Guam 20-15, while Japan beat Chinese Taipei 38-19 to win the Cup title. Royal, Trinity out Both Royal and Trinity who will be playing each other in the first-leg of the Bradby Shield on September 10 will not be competing at this year's Schools 7's which will be conducted simultaneously with the International 7's. The 12 schools now vying for honours will be St. Anthony's, St. Sylvester's, Kingswood, Dharmaraja, Vidyartha, S. Thomas', Isipathana, Ananda, Thurstan, St. Peter's, Wesley and Science College. |
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