Japan confirms participation in Rugby sevens

RUGBY: Asian giants Japan, who skipped last year's event, has confirmed their participation at this year's 12 nation 9th Singer-Sri Lankan International Rugby 7's to be staged at Nittawela alongside the Schools 7's on September 7,8 and 9. This is being conducted by Kandy Sports Club sponsored by Singer (Sri Lanka) Limited and SriLankan Airlines with Amaya Hills and Resorts as Associate sponsor. The product sponsors are John Keells, Ceylon Cold Stores and Carlsberg.

This is an Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) event for promotion/relegation system as well as an International Rugby Board (IRB) ranking event for the Asian region. The final two teams from last year (2006) - Philippines and Pakistan, have been relegated with Kampuchea coming in with Japan to form the 12 teams.

According to the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Iswan Omar, the 12 nations vying for honours in this ninth edition of the Singer-SriLankan 7's are: Japan, South Korea, China, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Arabian Gulf, Hong Kong, Kazakhastan, Malaysia, India and Kampuchea. All countries have confirmed their participation.

Speaking further to the Sunday Observer Omar, said that since 2004 the IRB has been involved in the Singer-SriLankan International 7's with the top three nations qualifying for the IRB 7's Series. He also said that another 7's event is to be staged in Singapore during the same period (September 7 to 9) for the countries ranked 13 to 20.

Omar also said that certain officials from the IRB including Kit Mc Connell (head of RWC Ltd). Gerard Gallaher (IRB's Development Officer for Asia), Mark Eagen (head of IRB 7's events) and Bruce cook will be in Sri Lanka to discuss various matters pertaining to the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011 qualifiers with the current President of the ARFU, DIG Nimal Lewke, who also heads the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU).

Kandy Sports Club who have already started preparations for this event, are constructing a new pavilion behind the goal posts (near the scoreboard) which is to exclusively accommodate all international teams taking into consideration their security. This new pavilion will include dressing rooms, restaurant etc on the top floor, while the ground floor will be for the invitees/guests. Parts of the terraces will have umbrellas, coutersy Dialog GSM for shade.

Last year (2006), South Korea won the Cup category beating China 24-19, Thailand winning the Plate defeating Arabian Gulf 33-5, while Malaysia won the Bowl edging out India 14-10. Sri Lanka beat Thailand 35-17 in the Cup "quarters", but lost in the "semis" 12-14 to South Korea after earlier beating Pakistan 39-0, Arabian Gulf 40-7, but losing the Chinese Taipei 7-31.

Schools 7's

The 16 schools invited for the schools 7's are: Royal, S. Thomas', Isipathana, Ananda, Nalanda, St. Peter's, Trinity, St. Anthony's, Vidyartha, Kingswood, St. Sylvester's, Dharmaraja, Wesley, Science, St. Joseph's and Thurstan.

L.G.