Kandy won't compromise - quits Clifford Cup tourney

by Lal Gunesekera

Kandy Sports Club will not compromise on principles and will not play in the forthcoming Caltex Clifford Cup Knock-Out Rugby Championship which is due to start on July 29.

A spokesman for Kandy SC told the Sunday Observer that on a matter of principle they decided not to play in the Clifford Cup where the SLRFU has decided to play the semi-finals and final in Colombo after more than a decade.

He said: "They (the SLRFU) has said that the Caltex Clifford Cup will be staged in Kandy next year (2007). If they can do it next year, why cannot they do it this year (2006)? Kandy won the Caltex League this year and as League champions must be given the advantage."

Meanwhile, the SLRFU's Tournament Committee which met last Wednesday (July 19) decided to write to Kandy to re-consider their decision, and said that they are "awaiting a positive response."

The CEO of the SLRFU, Dilroy Fernando, told the Sunday Observer that Dim-Dicks will replace Kandy if the latter does not play, while the other sides in the fray will be CR & FC, CH & FC, Havelocks, Police, Air Force, Army and Old Zahirians. The quarter-finals are scheduled for July 29 and 30 (the seeded teams as hosts), semi-finals on August 5 and 6 at Longden Place with the final on August 12 also at Longden Place.