Asia Rugby exposed in damning World Rugby audit report

• “I am not surprised” says former Sri Lanka Rugby President Rizly Illyas 

Asia Rugby President  Qais Al-Dhalai

Former Sri Lanka Rugby President Rizly Illyas

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) former President Rizly Illyas said yesterday he wasn’t surprised by the unmasking of Asia Rigby in a damning World Rugby audit report.

The World Rugby independent audit that revealed significant concerns about the governance and finances of Asia Rugby. The audit report, which highlighted questionable financial practices under the leadership of Asia Rugby President Qais Al-Dhalai, has confirmed what Illyas claims he has been warning about for years.

Illyas, who has long advocated for good governance in rugby said: “I am not surprised by the findings. I’ve raised concerns before, particularly about the money-laundering suspicions I had regarding Qais and his associates. I had even warned him not to go down that path.”

The audit has uncovered issues such as Asia Rugby’s failure to register as a legal entity in the UAE despite moving its headquarters to Dubai in 2019. Funds from World Rugby were being funnelled through the UAE Rugby Federation’s bank account, of which Al-Dhalai is a Vice President, raising questions about potential financial misconduct. Illyas claims this is a clear example of the lack of transparency that has plagued the organisation for years.

Illyas also pointed to an incident where earlier a sum of AED 50,000 was allegedly sent by Qais to the SLR account just before his election to secure the Sri Lankan vote. He expressed frustration that despite reporting these allegations to World Rugby, no action was taken.

Another troubling issue that Illyas raised was Asia Rugby stealing SLR’s sponsorship funds, when Qais Al Dhalai himself flew down to Colombo and secured a sponsorship deal from SLR’s long-time sponsor Dialog. He alleged that a group of individuals redirected sponsorship money intended for Sri Lanka’s international rugby tournaments to Asia Rugby instead. “This is one of the worst sponsorship scandals in our rugby history,” alleged Illyas, adding that such actions show a lack of patriotism and disregard for the Sri Lankan rugby team.

Illyas further criticised the involvement of certain individuals in Asia Rugby’s leadership, questioning their motives and ethics.

He pointed out that the Asia Rugby President has appointed two former SLR officials, both of whom carry questionable records, one with financial concerns and the other barred from holding any position in SLR under the country’s Sports Law.

Illyas also expressed disappointment in schools like Zahira College in Colombo, Sri Lanka for inviting these individuals as VIP guests to rugby tournaments, calling it shameful.

Reflecting on the findings of the audit, Illyas reiterated his call for accountability. “The time has come for a complete clean-up. All those involved, knowingly or unknowingly, must be held accountable. We need to push for lifetime bans for the president and all council members who supported this corruption.”

Illyas vowed to present the necessary documentation to support his claims and called on rugby stakeholders to back the findings of the World Rugby audit. He concluded by expressing hope that the leadership of the UAE would investigate Al-Dhalai’s role in undermining other member unions and take action to restore good governance.

The audit report has sent shockwaves through the rugby community, and with Asia Rugby’s Presidential elections looming, there is growing pressure for reform. As World Rugby considers its next steps, the question remains whether Asia Rugby’s leadership will be held accountable for the governance failures outlined in the damning audit. 

Illyas was of the view that an immediate suspension of Qais Abdulla and the Executive Committee is warranted and urged World Rugby to use its authority to intervene and appoint a committee to manage the affairs of Asia Rugby.