Recent political killings may tilt venue issue to Taiwan - Dilroy Fernando

by Lal Gunesekera

RUGBY: The January 18 meeting of the Executive Committee of the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) in Hong Kong will be crucial for Sri Lanka. At this meeting, a decision will be taken whether Sri Lanka will host the Division one tournament end April - May in Colombo or not.

The President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), DIG Nimal Lewke, told the Sunday Observer that a final decision on the venue will be known on January 18 at the Exco-meeting of ARFU.

Both Sri Lanka and Taiwan are bidding to host this event, while the other two nations in Division I are China (ranked No. 7 in Asia) and Singapore (ranked No. 9). Sri Lanka are ranked No. 6 and Taiwan No. 8.

The Killing of a Parliamentarian at a Hindu Kovil in Colombo on New Year's Day and the Claymore mine blast in Slave Island also in Colombo the following day (January 2,) may prompt the Exco of the ARFU to ward the venue to Taiwan, also taking into consideration that the Singer Asiad too was held in Colombo in November last year (2007)" said the CEO of the SLRFU Dilroy Fernando. The tournament in Colombo or Taiwan will be of one week's duration and will involve only two semi-finals and final.

The Asian Five Nations event involving Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Kazakhstan and Arabian Gulf too is scheduled to start end April and end before June 15 on home and away basis. The Asian Rugby Football Union (SRFU) will meet all expenses connected with the tournament (air travel, hotel accommodation, meals and internal transport) with the proceeds from the gate to go to the host Union.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), will be hosting a "Players Nite" on January 11 to felicitate all the players who helped Sri Lanka to enter the final of the Singer Asiad. This event is likely to be staged at the Bayleaf Restaurant and each player will be given Rs. 50,000 each. Other well known personalities too are to be felicitated by the SLRFU on this day. The annual general meeting of the SLRFU is scheduled to be held on February 23.