Sheriff quits CR and FC

By Jatilla KARAWITA

In a startling turn of twists on the domestic rugby circuit, one of Sri Lanka's highly talented rugby players full back Mohamed Sheriff has decided to sever links with his rugby club (CR & FC) forthwith and join a prominent club in the hill-capital, mid-way through his contract, with the Longden Place based club, its Deputy President Jehan Canagarathne told Sunday Observer.

"He has informed us (CR & FC), that he was leaving the club with effect from October 10th", Canagarathne said.

"Obviously we are very disappointed with Sheriff's action, as he cannot sever the contract with our club according to his whims and fancies. "We will take prompt action regarding him as and when necessary."

Canagarathne said Sheriff's contract with his club (CR & FC) was valid till the end of the 2009 inter-club season and to have opted out of it before it ran the whole hog, was unethical and cannot be condoned.

Asked whether there was any truth to the claim that Mohammed Sheriff had pulled out from the national pool practices as well upon him leaving CR, Canagarathne noted that if it was true, then it will be very disappointing from a Sri Lanka rugby perspective.

Sheriff, a former Zahira and St.Peter's College star has been playing top-flight rugby four over four seasons for CR & FC, and he has been a regular in the national fifteens and sevens teams.

He also stood out for Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Rugby World Cup. Asian Qualifiers in Hong Kong, where he scored four tries in a scintillating performance against India (49-7), which incidentally was Sri Lanka's sole win in the tourney.