Schools rugby tourney from May 2

Ranjeeva SENEVIRATNE

On a directive by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Sports and Public Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge to go ahead with the schools under 20 segment one rugby tournament the Interim Committee of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union in collaboration with the Ministry of Education will conduct the schools under 20 league rugby tournament from May 2, 2009.

With the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association deciding to scrap the schools under 20 segment one rugby tournament after a court ruling to include St. Anthony's College, Katugastota who had been unfairly demoted to segment two President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is a keen rugby fan has stepped into revive the tournament for the sake of schoolboy ruggerites who were eagerly looking forward for the tournament.

At a meeting held yesterday with acting CEO of the Interim Committee of SLRFU Lasitha Gunaratne as Tournament Director ten schools were picked to play in the schools under 20 segment one rugby tournament - Kingswood, Trinity, St. Peter's, Royal, S. Thomas', Isipatana, St. Anthony's, Dharmaraja, St. Joseph's and Mahanama.

The draw for the segment two will be held today. 252 matches will be played during the season.

The results of the Royal-Thomian match scheduled for April 24 at Mount Lavinia and Thurstan-Wesley match at Longden Place on the same day will also be considered as tournament matches, according to Gunaratne.

Players who excel in the tournament will also be included in the Sri Lanka under 20 rugby pool which will be formed in preparation for the Youth Rugby Asiad in Hong Kong in September, 2009.