|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 4 August 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Singer-SriLankan Airlines team up for Rugby "Sevens" by PELHAM JURIANSZ Sixteen countries will battle it out for supremacy when the Singer-SriLankan Airlines rugby tournament gets under way September 13 to 15 at the Bogambara Stadium. Former All Blacks skipper Andy Leslie and his wife will grace the occasion as the guest of honour. Billed as the greatest show in Sri Lanka where the rugby scene is concerned, it virtually comes hot on the heels of the Commonwealth Games. The "Sevens" now in its fourth year was started in 1999 when Kandy Sports Club organised a mega event bringing together teams from 10 rugby playing nations. Modelled on the lines of the Hong Kong "sevens", this event has grown from strength to strength and will incorporate sixteen teams and will occupy a top spot in this year's calendar. Rugby enthusiasts from participating countries will be part of the glitz and glamour with South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Denmark, Singapore, Czech Republic in Pool A, Portugal, Arabian Gulf, Hong Kong and Malaysia in Group B, whilst Germany, the Netherlands, Kenya and China scrumming down in Pool C and Korea, hosts Sri Lanka, Belgium and neighbours India in Pool D. The first-ever tournament was under the sole sponsorship of Singer (Sri Lanka Ltd) until SriLankan Airlines became the title sponsor "flying" in the teams and some of the match officials and a good number of the rugby fans as well. Now, SriLankan Airlines has teamed up with Connaissance de Ceylan and have made the package more interesting. SriLankan Airlines is in the forefront of rugby these days and promoting sport and sport tourism in Sri Lanka. The Airline is a key sponsor of a spectrum of sports from school level to international events, throughout the year. Speaking at the initial press briefing, master of ceremonies Chandrishan Perera said that this September could be referred to as "Hot" September as this tournament has attracted sixteen teams from around the rugby playing world with the exception of Fiji and New Zealand who were not invited as at this stage of the competition it was advisable to limit the teams to sixteen. Japan also has a heavy domestic program which slashes with our dates and they cannot attend. Similarly Thailand, the host of the 2002 Asiad are also unable to attend. It is pleasing to note that three unions, namely Pakistan, Kazakastan and Sweden had made inquiries regarding this tournament. The school section will be run concurrently with the International Sevens. The schools who have confirmed are: Ananda, Combined Ruhunu, Dharmaraja, Isipatana, Kingswood, Kurunegala Provincial Union, Matale Provincial Union, Royal, St. Anthony's, St. Peter's, St. Sylvester's, S. Thomas', Sabaragamuwa Provincial Union, Trinity, Vidyartha and Wesley. The tournament for schools will commence on Friday September 13 from 12 noon and end at 6 p.m. and on September 14 the International pool matches will commence at 9 a.m. and go on till 6 p.m. On Sunday, September 15 the school matches will commence at 9 a.m. and continue till 6 p.m. The Central Province Rugby Football Union - Referees Society under the auspices of the SLRFU-Referees Society have invited Jonathan Chaplan from South Africa and Bret Faxon from New Zealand to join the local referees in officiating at the matches. Judging from its popularity and encouraged by prior successes of this event, the organisers intend incorporating the Singer-SriLankan rugby "Sevens" into the International Rugby Series. Representatives from the IRB (International Rugby Board), the organising body for the World Series and several satellite series are expected to be present throughout the event. The tournament will be telecast on MTV and live updates on MBC/Yes FM radio on September 15 (Sunday). |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
