Carlton-Sri Lanka Sevens on November 28 and 29

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

Asian heavyweights Japan and South Korea along with Kazakhstan, China, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Thailand, and host nation Sri Lanka have confirmed their participation in the Carlton-Sri Lanka Sevens 2009 which will be worked off at the Sugathadasa Stadium on November 28 and 29, 2009. Twelve nations will be taking part in the tournament.

Japan and South Korea which skipped the Singer Rugby Asiad in Colombo in 2007 citing security concerns will field formidable teams along with Asia’s fourth ranked team Kazakhstan.

Hong Kong (who are taking part in the East Asian Rugby Tournament and Arabian Gulf (who are preparing for the Dubai Rugby Sevens have informed the Interim Committee of the SLRFU of their inability to take part while Singapore are yet to confirm their participation.

The Interim committee of the SLRFU have obtained the services of former Sri Lanka and ex-Hong Kong, China and Fiji national coach George Simpkin to serve as the tournament Director “Simpkin has vast experience having served as the Tournament Director for of Hong Kong Sevens for 13 years and his presence will be of immense benefit for the tournament said the CEO of the Interim Committee Lasitha Guneratne.

He said that referees from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Arabian Gulf and Sri Lanka will officiate in the tournament while the International Rugby Board will send a representative for the tournament.

The schools tournament too will be worked off concurrently at the same venue where 12 leading schools including league champions Royal, Isipatana, Trinity, St. Anthony’s, St. Peter’s St. Joseph’s and Wesley will be taking part.

Milo Trophy knock-out champions S. Thomas, Mount Lavinia, Kingswood and Dharmaraja will be the notable absentees in this tournament. With the eradication of terrorism and the country returning to normalcy the tournament will create tremendous interest among rugby fans.

Supporters from countries such as Japan, South Korea, China and Thailand are likely to visit Sri Lanka to cheer their teams and it should be a boost for tourism in Sri Lanka.