Singer-SriLankan Airlines Rugby Sevens on schedule

by Lal Gunesekera

The Security concerns shown by the International Rugby Board (IRB) and certain countries like South Korea, Arabian Gulf and Hong Kong have been dispelled and the Singer-SriLankan Airlines International Rugby 7's will be worked off on schedule at Nittawela on September 15, 16 and 17. This is an IRB Satellite event for the Asian Region, conducted by the Kandy Sports Club.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Iswan Omar, told the Sunday Observer that fears about security situation was dispelled with two IRB officials, including Gerard Gallaher (IRB's Development Officer for Asia), being in the island last week.

He said that they were briefed by DIG Nimal Mediwaka of the Central Range Police and STF Commandant, DIG Nimal Lewke, and were fully satisfied with the arrangements made and were convinced that it was ""very good".

These two IRB officials went back to Hong Kong last Monday and were to send their reports to all countries playing in Kandy next week.

The Ministerial Security Division (MSD) of the Police too were involved in the lengthy discussions.

Seven countries (India, China, Pakistan, Arabian Gulf, Malaysia, Thailand and Kazakhastan) are scheduled to arrive in the country on Wednesday (September 13), while South Korea, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines are to arrive on Thursday (September 14).

South Korea, Hong Kong and Malaysia are in Group 'A', Chinese Taipei, Kazakhastan and the Philippines in Group 'B', Sri Lanka, Arabian Gulf and Pakistan in Group 'C', while China, India and Thailand are in Group 'D'. Japan are not participating.

The Schools 7's too will be worked off concurrently. St. Anthony's, Science (Ratmalana) and Ananda are in Group 'A', Isipathana, Wesley and St. Joseph's in Group 'B', Kingswood, Dharmaraja and Zahira in Group 'C', while St. Peter's, St. Sylvester's and Vidyartha are in Group 'D'.