Stage set for Asian Five Nations Rugby in SL
Thushan JAYASURIYA
The HSBC Asian Five Nations (A5N) Rugby Tournament, representing the
highest level of international rugby in Asia, is scheduled to kick off
the division one tournament in Sri Lanka from March 31 at the Havelock
Park.
| Fixtures
|
| March 31(Sunday)- Kazakhstan Vs Thailand - 2.00 PM, Sri Lanka Vs
Chinese Taipei - 4.00 PM
April 3(Wednesday)- Kazakhstan Vs Chinese Taipei- 2.00 PM, Sri Lanka
Vs Thailand - 4.00 PM
April 6(Saturday)- Thailand Vs Chinese Taipei - 2.00 PM, Sri Lanka Vs
Kazakhstan - 4.00 PM |
|
HSBC CEO Nick Nicklaou handing over a rugby ball to SLRFU
President Asanga Seneviratne as a gesture of delivering their
sponsorship for the Asian Five Nations tournament during a
press-briefing at the Galadari Hotel yesterday. SLRFU Secretary
Rizly Illyas (left extreme) and Dialog Axiata PLC Senior Group
Marketing Manager Rizvi Farook (right extreme) are also in the
picture. Picture by Ruwan de Silva |
Sri Lanka along with the other division one Countries; Chinese
Taipei, Thailand and Kazakhastan will battle it out to enter into the
final round for the prestigious HSBC A5N title. The matches will be
played on March 31, April 3 and 6.
The Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) President Asanga
Seneviratne stated that they are pround to hold this tournament.ÓEarlier
there were eight nations in the tournament and dramatically it came down
to five. I would like to thank HSBC for all the support they have given
so far. Now the club matches are attracting a big crowd with the support
of Dialog Axiata PLC and Sri Lanka Rugby is reaching greater heights”
.The SLRFU has made arrangements to bring school children to watch the
three days of rugby and students will be given free tickets to watch the
matches.
The Chief Executive Officer for HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives Nick
Nicolaou stated “ HSBC is sponsoring many rugby tournaments around the
world. Asia is the largest rugby playing continent in the world. We
believe this will create a great opportunity for talented players to
compete against the best in the Asian region and showcase their
capabilities”.
Speaking at the occassion Dialog Axiata PLC Senior Group Marketing
Manager Rizvi Farook said that they are happy to foster an international
turnament of this magnitude.
“Not only rugby, but also we have been sponsoring volleyball, school
big matches and sports for the disabled people.
Within six months we were able to bring rugby to the right track and
looking forward to promote rugby with SLRFU,” he furrther said.
|
