Amateur Schools Rugby Association blocks YOG opportunity in Argentina

The disorganised Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Association (SSRFA), due to a lack of funds, prevented a deserving Sri Lanka Under-18 outfit from participating in the Asian Rugby Under-18 Sevens Championship which is to take place in Taipei early next month.

Nazeem Mohamed present Secretary of  Sri Lanka Rugby and Sevens

The winner will book their Asian berth at the Youth Commonwealth Games 2018 in Argentina. The Sri Lankan youth outfit, which did really well in Taipei and Hong Kong under Naveen Heekakanmge, later qualified for the YOG in the Bahamas this year.

Sri Lanka Rugby Secretary Nazeem Mohamed, speaking to the Daily FT, said: “This was a great opportunity for the young lads. Our history at the junior level is great. We did very well in Taipei and Hong Kong and secured our berth in the Bahamas. Playing at the YOG is an excellent opportunity for their foundation in Asian Rugby as these guys are going to be our future in Sevens rugby, which will put Sri Lanka on the world rugby map. The schools section is interested only in completing their task of a tick box job and finishing off the rugby calendar. We told them several times to come under Sri Lanka Rugby but they refused. These associations are run by amateurs, with many of them having not even played the game at the highest level. So they are not bothered about the future of Sri Lankan Rugby.

“We got a very good sponsor for the double this month but they refused to change the sponsor. All these are lost opportunities which we could have used for national tours overseas from the Under-18 level onwards. Last year’s tournament cost of Rs. 5 million is yet to be returned by the schools section which we have already sent a letter of demand for. Further, at the junior level funds do not get reimbursed by Asian Rugby.”

The next assignment for Sri Lanka Junior Rugby will be the Asian Junior Rugby Tournament in December this year which will be played at the Under-20 level. (SJ)