Carlton Rugby Sevens on a grand scale

Thushan Jayasuriya

All arrangements have been made for the much awaited fourth edition of the Carlton Rugby Sevens 2013, the biggest rugby tournament in the island which will be worked off in Nuwara Eliya, Nawalapitiya, Galle and Colombo.The promotional campaign was launched at Race Course Grounds, Colombo yesterday.

Carlton Sevens will bring together youth from all parts of the country under 10 teams representing the nine provinces in the country including Uva Vipers, Southern Sharks, Northern Gladiators, Jaffna Challengers, Western Warriors, Eastern Eagles, North Central Typhoons, Sabaragamuwa Stallions and Central Kings.Each team will comprise three international players, three ‘A’ grade Sri Lankan Club players and an under 21 school player .

The tournament will be played in four legs. The first leg will be played in Nuwara Eliya on June 29 and 30 , Nawalapitiya on July 6 and 7 and the second leg will be the international matches played on July 27 and 28 at Galle International Cricket Stadium and August 2 and 3 at CR and FC Grounds Colombo.

Speaking on the occasion, The Chairman of the International Rugby Board(IRB) cum National Olympic Committee(NOC) Vice Chairman Bernard Lapasset said that rugby helps to bring about understanding between players. Apart from that , he said that he is seeing an improvement in the Sri Lankan Rugby. He expressed may Sri Lankans get the strength to courage to reach a top rank in the world rugby.

Member of Parliament and Tharunyata Hetak Organization President Namal Rajapaksa,SLIC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mohan de Alwis, SLIC Executive Director Piyadasa Kudabalage, SLIC Director Sanjaya Samarasinghe, Franchisee Holders and Team officials were also present on the occasion.