Singer-Sri Lankan Airlines Int’l Rugby Sevens

Richard DWIGHT

From the year 1999, the Singer International rugby sevens, under the patronage of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union and the active support of SriLankan Airlines and Amaya Leisure Resorts, has annually been held here in this country.

But this year, the tournament which takes place from the 5th to 7th September at Nittawela, Kandy, assumes an added measure of importance, in that it celebrates its 10th anniversary. A sustained existence of ten years by any standard, is truly a splendid achievement, worthy of celebration in a manner befitting the event.

A start was made by way of preliminary celebration, when the organizers hosted a lavish briefing for personnel from the print as well as the electronic media, which was widely attended on Tuesday at the impressive empire ballroom of the Galle Face Hotel. The Executive Director of the organizing committee, Iswan Omar, took his time to provide a historical narrative of the coming to be of this innovative tournament in 1999 and, of the progress made thus far, to be ever so popular to become a much looked forward to event in the rugby calendar of Sri Lanka.

According to Omar there will be ten countries taking part in this year’s tournament viz; Korea, China, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Arabian Gulf, India, Kazakhastan and Sri Lanka. They have been grouped, into two pools ‘A’ and ‘B’. In pool ‘A’ are Korea, Malaysia, Arabian Gulf, Thailand and India - In pool ‘B’ the countries are Sri Lanka, China, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhastan and India.

The teams in the fray, for the schools competition are St. Anthony’s, Kingswood, Royal, Isipatana, St. Peter’s, St. Joseph’s Wesley, Dharmaraja, Vidyartha, Ananda, Nalanda and St. Sylvester’s. Their respective pools are ‘A’ - kingswood, Wesley and Nalanda ‘B’ - Isipatana, Dharmaraja and St. Sylvester’s ‘C’ - Royal, St. Anthony’s and Ananda ‘D’ - St. Peter’s, St. Josephs’ and Vidyartha.

On the 5th of September there will be the schools preliminary pool games from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm. On the 6th of September International pool games and schools K/O from 9.20 am to 5.30 pm, on the 7th of September, it will be the international pool games and K/O from 9.20 am to 5.30 pm.

The match officials drawn from the Asian Rugby Football Union are Taizo Hirabaysha (Japan) Anthony Lothian (Hong Kong) Scott Herbert (Arabian Gulf) Stan Wright (Arabian Gulf) Abdul Hamid (Malaysia) Ramesh Lachmanam (Malaysia) and Chou Wan Liang (Chinese Taipei). The SLRFU referees society will handle and officiate at the tournament. Last year’s winner was Hongkong with Korea as runner-up and Sri Lanka coming in 3rd.

There will be live telecast over ‘Eye’ channel on September 6 in the afternoon and on the 7th during the day. The official airlines will be SriLankan Airlines, while the hotels would be Amaya Hills, Topaz and Tourmaline. Food and Beverage will be provided by John Keells, Elephant House and Lion Brewery.

The Chairman Singer (Sri Lanka), Hemaka Amarasuriya, said “This tournament is one of Singer Sri Lanka’s main sporting events and we expect it to continue as the most anticipated annual rugby event in the country.

It has enhanced the standard of rugby in the country, particularly in Kandy, and the sports popularity has soared with the youngsters. It is no coincidence that their are now half a dozen schools in Kandy with reputation for excellence in rugby, whose teams have grown ever stronger in ten years since this tournament was first held.”

The Regional Manager Far East and Asia Pacific/ UK, Europe and Americas of SriLankan Airlines, Kaushal Seneviratne, said “SriLankan Airlines is proud to continue the long-time role as a major partner to international rugby in Sri Lanka. This tournament has for a decade focused the spotlight of the sporting world on Sri Lanka for three days every year, and plays an important part in enhancing awareness of our country among international travellers and sport fans.”

The Chairman of Amaya Leisure, Chandra Wickremasinghe and the President of the SLRFU, DIG Nimal Lewke also addressed those present, with the President of the Kandy S.C. Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte delivering the vote of thanks.