Dilroy Fernando to move over to CR as Executive Director

By Jatila KARAWITA

RUGBY: Speculation is rife in local rugby circles that the Executive Director of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) Dilroy Fernando will leave his post, to take up a similar post at one of Colombo's oldest rugby clubs - Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club (CR & FC).

Fernando is expected to make his move after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the sport's local controlling body in February next year, Sunday Observer reliably understands.

Fernando, was not immediately available for comment.

According to reliable sources, Fernando, who is also an accomplished International Rugby Board (IRB) referee, having officiated in numerous international and local tournaments, is likely to be appointed as 'Sports Director', of CR & FC to oversee all sports activities related to the popular Longden Place based club.

Fernando, a former SLRFU Secretary who has been functioning as SLRFU Executive Director for over four years, succeeded former Sri Lanka winger Chandrishan Perera to the post.

He is also widely credited for having turned around its dire financial situation with the SLRFU having been in the red, in recent times, through his PR skills and rapport with the corporate sector.

Rugby analysts reckon that one of the leading sports promoters in the country, Chevron Lubricants Lanka Ltd., coming forward to sponsor the two major inter-club domestic tournaments (Premier League and Clifford Cup K-O for the Caltex Trophy) was largely due to the influence in marketing skills exhibited by Dilroy Fernando, at a time when its coffers had virtually run dry, being unable to attract or entice big-name sponsors to the game.

"Without him (Dilroy) the main ruling body for the sport would have clearly struggled to attract leading private firms with the national team hardly making an impact either locally or overseas," a former player who did not wish to be named told Sunday Observer.

The ex-Sri Lanka, CR&FC and Isipatana MV stand off is also likely to be elected uncontested as the next President of the Rugby Referees Society of Sri Lanka at its AGM to be held in January next year.