Asia Rugby assures support to SLR

Tuesday, 28 November 2023 00:51 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Rugby President and Group Captain Nalin de Silva (right) exchanges a token of appreciation with Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai at the Asia Rugby Council meeting held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

By Althaf Nawaz

Asia Rugby (AR) headed by its President Qais Al Dhalai, has given an assurance they will support Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), when he met Group Captain Nalin de Silva – the incumbent President of SLR, at the Asia Rugby Council meeting held few days back in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

After assuming duty, the SLR boss has attended this meeting where 36 member unions in the Asian circuit participated. SLR which was side-lined due the suspension for over a year, has come into the lime light with Nalin’s participation, where he was given a warm welcome by the Head Chair and the rest of the members.

AR Chief Al Dhalai welcomed the SLR President and had a personal discussion with Nalin de Silva on short, medium and long term plans and how AR could help their endeavours.

“As a nation, we must be thankful to Qais Al Dhalai the AR boss who gave me a warm welcome while introducing us to other members. I was able to speak to all our member country representatives and discussed the way forward. Overall, it was a very fruitful event for us after coming out from suspension,” said Nalin de Silva.

Speaking to Daily FT from Uzbekistan, Nalin said there were several issues on the cards to discuss for which AR has vouched their support. “AR has assured their unstinted support with World Rugby for training programs to educate about the modern rules of the game. This will enable us to train match officials, coaches and other stakeholders to upgrade their knowledge and be on par with other countries. We have to execute a strategic plan and submit to AR who in turn will help us with WR,” he further added.

One of the hot topics on the agenda has been the development of Women’s Rugby in the region. Once again AR has given its assurance in developing this segment along with the support of the World Rugby governing body to elevate the standard of the game played by lasses.

“Women’s Rugby became one of the hot topics in the agenda and views were shared how to develop it. We also have to make adequate plans to lift the standard of this segment where Al Dhalai gave his assurance to revamp it.

“I would say overall it was a very positive meeting where Sri Lanka is to benefit immensely and will gain the support of AR without any hindrance unlike in the past,” concluded Nalin de Silva.