Thirteen schools for WPRFU under 18 rugby tourney

Ranjeeva SENEVIRATNE

Thirteen schools will take part in the inaugural under 18 fifteen-a-side rugby tournament organized by the Western Province Rugby Football Union and sponsored by Asian Finance Limited which began yesterday.

The president of the Western Province Rugby Football Union Rizly Illyas speaking at a press briefing held at Park Hotel on Thursday said that WPRFU has the most number of clubs - 15 and the highest number of schools - 35 playing rugby.

Schools under 20 rugby matches are the second biggest crowd puller in Sri Lanka after One-Day International cricket matches involving Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka under 20 team failed to win a single match at the Youth Rugby Asiad in Hong Kong mainly due to lack of a strong front row and second row. Hence they decided to conduct the under 18 fifteen-a-side tournament for the younger players to improve their skills and show their prowess and gain a place in their senior team and ultimately go onto represent the Sri Lanka Youth team. The WPRFU will also unearth talented players from this tournament and include them in a pool, harness their talent and form a strong Sri Lanka Youth team especially a strong front five which will stand the Sri Lankans in good stead at the Youth Rugby Asiad.

The Chief Executive Officer of Asian Finance Limited Sanathana Dalugoda said that his firm will be sponsoring the under 18 and under 16 rugby tournaments for a period of three years. Asian Finance believes that by conducting under 18 and under 16 tournaments the WPRFU will be able to spot talented young ruggerites and harness their talent and build up strong teams to represent the country at junior level.

He said that Asian Finance Limited will also open Savings Accounts with a initial deposit of Rs 500 for every member of the participating teams and also help the WPRFU to set up a Junior Rugby Academy.