Rugby hopes to supersede cricket in a decade's time- SLRFU President

by Ranjan Anandappa

The President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) Asanga Seneviratne made a bold and confident statement that in a decade from now, rugby football should supersede cricket which is now the number one and most popular game in the country.

" Today rugby is a one to two million investment into the country's economy. It is widely spreading in Sri Lanka and only second to cricket , and we believe that in the next decade or so it will overtake cricket. More countries play serious rugby now, may be over 150". Said the President of the SLRFU.

"Sri Lanka has now establish themselves in the seedings and are strong contenders for a World Cup 15-A-Side place. We are rated now at number 3 in the Asian Seven's Circuit and we are hoping to achieve the same position in the 15-A-side (A5) commencing in April next year."

"With this in mind we have launched a program to give the boys the best exposure possible to play against foreign opposition. For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka rugby we have an European side and an African side playing in a Tri-Nation Trophy. We had European sides playing in the past ,but in the recent past long before any of us played, we have not seen any European sides playing. " he said.

Namal Rajapaksa will lead the side as the regular skipper, Yositha, his younger brother ,was badly injured during a training session. " Appointing Namal is a positive move. He is a player who has excelled at S. Thomas', Mount Lavinia and has constantly played for the Navy which has just fallen short of winning the league title on five occasions .He built the navy team from nothing and also played for Sri Lanka for well over three or four years and has a lot of experience. So we know his capabilities as he is a born leader. To get Sri Lanka into the next level we need everyone to pull together and a strong leader. The selectors have done well to make this appointment."

The SLRFU President Seneviratne said that Minister Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage has done a lot for the development of sports in the country and came in a big way to support rugby. " We have a program which we have contracted 42 players to the Rugby Union and there is remuneration for them because it is not easy to play a body contact sport and not to be financially stable. We thank the minister for for the package and support given to us." SLRFU President said.

He was addressing a press gathering to launch the inaugural 15-A-Side Tri-Nation Serendib International Cup 2013 rugby tournament to be held in Sri Lanka from October 26th to November 1st at the newly constructed Colombo Racecourse Ground at Reid Avenue. The participating countries are host Sri Lanka,(IRB rank 39), Poland (Europe- IRB rank28) and Madagaskar (Africa -IRB rank 44).

Sri Lanka will lock horns with Madagascar in the opening match under lights on October 26th Saturday at 5.30 pm. In the second match Madagascar will take on Poland on October 29 (Tuesday) at 5.30 under lights and the final match Sri Lanka will meet Poland on November 1st Friday at 5.30pm also under lights.