SLRFU ties up with Gilbert

by Lal Gunesekera

RUGBY: The Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) have signed a two-year contract with the producers of rugby equipment in England, Gilbert to supply balls, jersies, track suits, training kits etc to the national team.

The President of the SLRFU, DIG Nimal Lewke, who also heads the elite Special Task Force (STF) said that this move was initiated by Srimal Wickremasinghe, who is based in London, with the approval of the SLRFU.

"The company will also supply balls at virtually half rate to clubs and schools who can make use of this generous offer through the SLRFU", said DIG Lewke, who also said that Gilbert was keen to sponsor the Sri Lanka national team.

Meanwhile, the Asian Division I tournament of the ARFU which was scheduled to start in Taiwan on April 25 will now start in the second week of November as a problem has arisen over the issue of visas for the China side.

The teams in Asia Division I include Sri Lanka, Taiwan, China and Singapore. Sri Lanka are scheduled to play in the IRB World Cup 7's qualifier in Hong Kong on October 3.