Radhika leads Rugby Sevens team to Malaysia

Air Force’s Radhika Hettiarachchi who led the Sri Lanka Rugby Sevens team at the Commonwealth Games rugby competition in New Delhi this month has been retained as captain of the Sri Lanka Sevens’ squad for the Borneo Sevens in Malaysia on October 30 and 31.

Sturdily built Hettiarachchi who has been representing the Sri Lanka Sevens team since 1998 will lead a team which is a blend of youth and experience. The only newcomer to the team is Thomian schoolboy Anuruddha Wilwara who is nursing an injury and will have to pass a fitness test with Air Force’s Mithun Hapugoda being named as stand-by.

The Sri Lanka Sevens team will have the services of experienced campaigners of the calibre of Sajith Saranga, Chanaka Chandimal, Dinusha Chathuranga, Srinath Sooriyabandara and skipper Radhika Hettiarachchi in addition to talented youngsters Charith Seneviratne, Dilan de Zoysa, Wishvamithra Jayasinghe, Romesh Archarige and Peterite skipper Shenal Dias (who made his debut at the Commonwealth Games).

The Lankan Sevens squad which fared disastrously in New Delhi by losing to England (7-59), Australia (5-42), Uganda (5-35) and Papua New Guinea (12-26) are expected to give a much better display in Malaysia having trained under the watchful eyes of National Sevens Coach Imthisham Marikar for the last seven days.

The Sri Lanka Sevens squad: (subject to approval by the Sports Minister) Radhika Hettiarachchi (Captain, Air Force), Chanaka Chandimal (Air Force), Charith Seneviratne (Air Force), Dilan de Zoysa (Air Force), Srinath Sooriyabandara (CR and FC), Dinusha Chathuranga (CR and FC), Wishwamithra Jayasinghe (CR and FC), Sajith Saranga (Kandy SC), Saliya Handapangoda (Army), Romesh Archarige (Police), Shenal Dias (St Peter’s), Anuruddha Wilwara (S Thomas’) or Mithun Hapugoda (Air Force).

Officials: Imthisham Marikar (Coach), Christopher Jordashe (Manager), Kapila Munasinghe (Physiotherapist).