CR Sevens to kick-off on 31 March

From left: CR&FC Centenary Committee Secretary Zulker Hamid, Chairman Jehan Canaga Retna, CR&FC President Ted Muttaiah, General Secretary Jakque Diasz, and Tournament Director Dilroy Fernando – Pix by Shehan Gunasekera

By Shamseer Jaleel

The much looked forward CR and FC Centenary Rugby Sevens will kick-off on 31 March at Longdon Place. 

The first day of the sevens will see the school’s first round being worked off while the schools knock out stages, Men’s and Women’s shorter version of the games will lighten up Colombo on 1 and 2 April in front of a packed Longdon Place.

CR and FC, better known as the Red Shirts founded in 1922 by Col. E.H. Joseph, will see the eight A division Men’s sevens teams, four clubs’ women’s teams along with an equal number of invitation women’s teams and 12 school’s Under-19 teams will lock horns in this colourful event. Women’s club teams from Australia, India and Thailand or Indonesia will lock horns in shorter version events. CR and FC President, former 1982 Royal skipper and national player Ted Muttiah said: “The CR and FC Centenary Rugby Sevens is probably the most looked forward event in the centenary calendar by rugby players and fans alike.  “Response from the teams invited has been fantastic and we are looking forward to memorable three days of Rugby at Longdon Place. We have already got nearly 15 sponsors and are thankful to them for coming forward at tough economic conditions around the globe.” Tournament Director Dilroy Fernando speaking said: “There will be qualified match officials from Japan, India and Singapore for the sevens while the Men’s and Women’s winning team will receive Rs. 500,000 each while the runner up teams will receive Rs. 250,000 each. Schools Cup champions too will receive Rs. 250,000 and Runner-up taking away Rs. 125,000. The 12 schools’ teams will be divided into four groups of three teams each.”

Men’s Club Teams 

CH and FC, CR and FC, Havelock SC, Kandy SC, Sri Lanka Air Force SC, Sri Lanka Army SC, Sri Lanka Navy SC, Sri Lanka Police SC. 

Women’s Teams

 CR and FC, Sri Lanka Air Force SC, Sri Lanka Army SC, Sri Lanka Navy SC, Team from Australia, Team from India, Team from Thailand/Indonesia and Combined team. 

School teams 

DS Senanayake, Isipathana, Kingswood, Royal, St. Anthony’s, St. Joseph’s, St. Peter’s, S. Thomas, Trinity, Vidyartha, Wesley and Zahira.