More than 30 teams for HARFA rugby tourney
Anuradha Abeysekara
More than 30 teams under four age groups will be seen in action
during the one-day rugby tournament organized by the Hisham Abdeen Rugby
Football Academy (HARFA) to celebrate their second anniversary on March
26 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
The tournament will be worked off in under 10, 12, 14, 16 and under
18 age categories from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm and two exhibition matches
will be held between academy players vs academy coaches and Air Force vs
Army (Women’s).
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Tantri Trailers Managing Director Athula Haputantri and RMTS/LS
Chairman Robin T Corea handing over the sponsorship cheque
to HARFA Director Hisham Abdeen. HARFA trainer Marco de
Silva, Tournament Coordinator N J Mudannayake and HARFA
Director Ivor Keerthipala are also in the picture. Picture
by Farook Lantra |
Altogether 56 games have been listed for the day. From under 12
onwards teams will compete for Cup and Plate Championships.
There will be ‘HARFA’ Cup and Plate shield competitions while Best
Players in respective age groups will also be picked. The Best Player of
the tournament will receive the Fazal Burah trophy while Dr Daya
Athukorele trophy is on offer for the Fittest Player of the tournament.
This was disclosed to the media during a press conference, presided
over by Hisham Abdeen at the Havelock Sports Club yesterday.
The Tantri Trailers (Pvt) Ltd and RMTS/LS came forward to sponsor the
event which will help to popularize the game at the grass roots level.
The HARFA was established with the aim to uplift rugby in the country
by absorbing hidden talent and guide them to the National level with
proper training.
“We have been successful in fulfilling our aspirations through the
years as our teams triumphed in many local and international
tournaments.
We have introduced lot of talented individuals to the local rugby
scene. Last year HARFA under-21 ‘A’ team won the Cup Championship and
‘B’ team was the Shield runner-up in the Western Province seven a side
tournament.
Our under-18 team became the runner-up in the Bowl competition at the
Vajiravudh College Bangkok invitation tournament last December. HARFA
has excelled in the Bangkok tens tournament by becoming under 16 Cup
winners, under 14 Bowl winners, under 12 Bowl runner-up and under 18
Bowl runner-up,” said Hisham.
HARFA Director Ivor Keerthipala expressed his gratitude for the
tournament sponsors.
He further said that the well qualified coaching panel, consist of
National players such as Marco de Silva and Tony Wimalasuriya who will
do their best to mould this young players to national players in the
future. |
