Sri Lanka Under-19 outfit won the Division 1 in China during 2018

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Sri Lanka Youth Rugby team’s participation at the Asia Rugby Under-19 Top 4 came to an abrupt end when the Education Ministry refused to give permission for the schoolboys to start training, stay in a camp for practices and tour overseas to Taipei for the event in April. 

The Ministry informed the school section through a letter their inability to give permission for the above. 

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) headed by Rizly Ilyas and his team put up a brave effort for this tour to take place, partly sponsored by Dialog Axiata. They wrote to the Sports Ministry for support in Air travel and other expenses. Since the Schools Section too did not get their full sponsorship they too are running in difficulty due to COVID 19.

Rizly Ilyas told Daily FT: “There hasn’t been any school or club rugby for more than a year. The schools have not commenced as yet and we cannot select an under prepared squad without adequate games and training in preparation for the tour. Given the concern with the COVID-19 pandemic over in Sri Lanka and overseas, it is best not to expose the youth to this crisis. I am sure the Asian Rugby (AR) will understand the current crisis and issues faced by the unions. SLR respects the stand taken by the Education Ministry and looks forward to planning a safer environment for rugby to be back to its feet.”

National Selectors headed by former Police and Kandy SC player Asoka Jayasena selected an initial squad of 60 players for the training, but their hopes will fade away and they can only hope for a postponement of the tournament by Asia Rugby. 

Last year’s Under-19 players who were eligible to play after only being able to represent their school in two games will have a glimmer of hope that AR will postpone the event to later this year. 

Hong Kong are the defending champion and hosts Taipei, South Korea and Sri Lanka were to lock horns in the league basis encounters in Taipei.

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