Schools rugby and SLRFU should work together - Asanga Seneviratne

By Ranjan Anandappa

RUGBY FOOTBALL: The Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage and the rugby 'boss' Asanga Seneviratne have urged the SLSRFA (Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association) to work hand-in -hand with the SLRFU (Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union ) for the betterment of school rugby and rugby as a whole.

Asanga Seneviratne, the President of the SLRFU summoned a press briefing to clarify certain allegations raised by a Schools Rugby Association official stating that the SLRFU is trying to sabotage the schools rugby season which Seneviratne says is a false allegation.

After several meetings with 'higher ups' in the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Education etc, it was clearly stated to the Schools Association that it should work together with the SLRFU helping in obtaining sponsorship and conducting tournaments.

We are trying to help not-take-over - SLRFU

"We are in no way trying to take over the SLSRA or their matters . We have a vital role to play going forward where the tournaments and the sponsorships are concerned. The schools depend on us for all their tours and training that has to be done to compete at international level. This is a huge burden on us. What we suggested to them was that they (SLSRA) were not marketing the schools rugby in a proper manner and the SLRFU will try to help them. "SLRFU boss said "We looked into this area very carefully. The Schools Rugby Association gave us a sponsorship package of Rs. 15 million which they received last year and gave us a budget of Rs. 30 million this year," added Asanga Seneviratne.

"We agreed to the 30 million to run all the tournaments on the basis that the money comes into the coffers of the SLRFU and whatever sponsorship is available, they debit us for tournaments, training etc and whatever the money they need, and an internal audit to be appointed to monitor all the movements.

The reason we asked originally the funding to come in through us mainly for the audit trail. Because we do not believe that 30 million is a sum that can be just dispersed. From a Association which barely raised 15 million and incredibly spend exactly 15 million from last year to 30 million which is double the sum we really need to analyse what these monies are going for and the with the schools we were willing to sort this out," added Seneviratne.

Schools should co-operate with us - SLRFU Boss

Seneviratne further said that a request was made that the funds being put into to Education Ministry account which the SLRFU agreed. The only concern was the audit trail has to show how these funds are going to be spent. "We are well aware as to how the schools have been conducting their tournaments in the past. Without even coming back to us they have gone to the press and tarnished our name. " said the SLRFU President.

'We are very clear the only thing we want to do is to develop rugby in this country and to do that, an association should be financially strong and we believe that we can bring that to the table. We can support the schools in a way that they have never been supported before. The tournaments can be held in a structured manner and in an organised manner which rugby could developed. It is not happening at the moment. For instance, the 7's tournament which is down to be played this week is completely out of knack," the SLRFU President added. He said very clearly that the SLRFU is not interested in taking over the Schools Rugby Association. It is only interested in supporting them financially and getting the tournaments organised properly.