Singer SriLankan Rugby Sevens:

Malaysia takes on Hong Kong in opener
 

BY Kandy Sports Corr.

HONG KONG will meet Malaysia to herald Singer SriLankan International Rugby Sevens which is an International Rugby Board (IRB) Satellite event which will be worked off at 1.20 p.m. today - Saturday September 10 at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy.

This Rugby Sevens will serve as a qualifier for the World Series tournaments held annually in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong giving the local rugby the much needed boost by this recognition.

The tournament was first inaugurated in 1999 as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations of Kandy Sports Club and thereafter it made giant progress including recognition by the Asian Rugby Football Union and now the IRB.

Sri Lanka who are grouped in Group D are expected to play their first match against Guam at 3.40 p.m. today and followed by the second match at 5.20 p.m. against the strong Chinese Taipei.

The defending champions Japan who are in Group A will play their first match against Singapore at 2.20 p.m. today followed by their final match against Thailand which will be at 5.40 p.m.

The teams have been grouped as follows:

Group A: Japan, Singapore, Thailand

Group B: Hong Kong, Malaysia, China

Group C: Korea, Kazakhstan, Arabian Gulf

Group D: Sri Lanka, Guam, Chinese Taipei

The International quarter-finals both cup and plate will be worked off on Sunday morning and the semi-finals in the afternoon. The Bowl final will be at 3.30 p.m. and the Plate final at 4 p.m. The Schools final will be at 4.30 p.m.

The International tournament will come to a close with the cup final at 5.30 p.m.

In between the tournament will be spiced with a grand parade at 1 p.m. with competing countries, schools and the officials expected to participate.