All four teams agreed to play at Pallekele: SLR Tournament Committee Chairman

Four teams, namely, Police SC, Air Force SC, Army SC and Havelock SC booked their semi-final berth at the Clifford Cup Knock Out Rugby 2019, which will take place today (19) and 21 March. With the defending champions Kandy Sports Club pulling out of the tournament, citing their unavailability to play away at Pallekele, the tournament opened out to CH&FC, CR&FC, and Havies, but with some cohesive rugby, both Police and Army qualified for the final 4, while Air Force SC was lucky to move forward with Kandy pulling out. The last team to qualify for the semi-finals was the Park Club.

Speaking to Daily FT, Sri Lanka Rugby Deputy President and Tournament Committee Chairman Rizly Ilyas said: “We had a grand tournament in the League 2018/2019 with the inclusion of Super 4. When we started, a few clubs were against it. Kandy was one of them. At last they benefited by winning the event because of the Super 4; if not the Park Club would have pulled it off. Before the commencement of the two tournaments, League and Clifford Cup, all 8 teams confirmed their participation. We briefed all 8 teams that the Colombo games will be played at Racecourse, and Kandy games at Pallekele. Kandy pulling out after agreeing is not too good for the game.” 

Ilyas stated that in no terms can any team bully the parent body. “Looking ahead for next year, we may decide not to play the League and the KO games in Kandy.”

Speaking further, he said: “Racecourse was selected by us, and it was not the home ground for either CH&FC or Army SC. Since both teams don’t have a home ground, Racecourse is booked for their games. Officials of Police SC, Army SC, and Air Force SC requested to play the semi-finals at Pallekele to promote the game in outstation.” Thanking them for the sporty and good gesture, Ilyas stated that the Tournament Committee has decided to play all games in Colombo, and will stand by the decision.

Kandy SC President Mahesh Weerasinghe, speaking to Daily FT, said, “We wanted to play our three games at Nittawela, with the best facilities for both home and visiting teams. We wrote to SLR but did not get a reply till the last 2 days of the match date. Pallekele is out of the Kandy District and for spectators to travel up and down, it’s about 24 km, plus another walk of 2 km to the grounds, where no public transport is available. Further, Racecourse is not a neutral ground, as CH&FC uses it for all their home games. This is not fair as well. Any match in Colombo attracts nearly 500 spectators, but each Kandy game in Kandy is packed with more than 4000 spectators. If they want to promote rugby, they should play at Nittawela. It’s pointless playing in front of empty stands at Pallekele. We have very clearly informed SLR on this matter, though they were not willing to play our games at the best venue in the country.”

SLR President Lasitha Gunaratne, speaking to Daily FT, said: “All teams have the right to pull out of a tournament. Confirming and pulling out after the announcement of the draw is unfair on the other 7 teams in the event. As a Union, we have paid for both Bogambara Stadium and Pallekele Stadium, but due to poor ground conditions, we cannot hold the tournament at Bogambara. That is the reason for us to have the matches at Pallekele. For the development of rugby we need to see more players and teams coming up. When you take Kandy, there are six leading schools but only one club. Not even a B division side is available for the rest of the players.”

Speaking further, Gunaratne said: “The rest of the 7 teams are objecting to play at Nittawela. We offered free of charge for the spectators.”

“CH&FC and majority of the Army games were played at Racecourse, as the SLR paid for their home matches. None of the other 6 clubs objected in playing at Racecourse. We will put the matter at the next Council Meeting and take an action on this,” ended Gunaratne. (SJ)