Rankothge to referee in Mumbai Sevens

S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports corr

Aruna Rankothge, one of the top rugby referees in the country at present has been selected to officiate at two important international rugby championships when he will be blowing at Womens World Cup Asian Qualified on October 6 and 7 and the HSBC Asian Sevens at Mumbai, India on 13th and 14th October. This appointment was made by the Asian Rugby Football Union.

Aruna Rankothge is a product of St. Sylvesters College and later turned for Kandy Youths CC and Kandy Sports Club as a flanker. His first coaching experience was at his alma mater St. Sylvester’s College and under his guidance they entered the Division one of the Schools rugby tournament and put up a stunning display in defeating Trinity College at Pallekele in Trinity’s own den in 1998. By a strange twist of fate Aruna Rankothge is currently the junior coach at Trinity College.

Aruna Rankothge has 17 years experience in rugby refereeing both in Sri Lanka and also at international matches and has been in the Asian Rugby referees panel for a long time.

His experience in rugby refereeing has taken him to many countries like India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Singapore, Hongkong, Thailand, Kazakhastan, Dubai, Abu Dhabi.

Locally he has officiated at top level club and school rugby matches including the prestigious Bradby clash between Trinity College and Royal College. The only match which has eluded him is the Clifford Cup final as his former club Kandy Sports has always figured in it and he feels it is not ethical to blow in such a match, as a genuine mistake or a difficult decision could be mis-interpreted.

Aruna Rankothge will be in the company of top referees from the region in both these tournaments. He paid a glowing tribute to his employers Amaya Hills Hotel who have been always generous in giving him the necessary leave to continue his refereeing and coaching.