Glimmer of hope for Sri Lanka

 Some big names missing in the squad provides a good opportunity for the young lads to perform on a big stage in Asia 

Asia Rugby Men’s qualification-XXXII Tokyo Olympiad 2020

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Sri Lanka Sevens rugby outfit led by former Antonian and Kandy SC player Danushka Dyan left to South Korea yesterday morning, expecting a rare qualification for sevens rugby at the next year’s XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo, Japan. Though it’s an uphill task, impossible is nothing – this is the motto the young outfit is carrying forward, after injuries to several seniors such as Danushka Ranjan and Srinath Sooriyabandara kept them out of this last sevens’ tour before the commencement of the Inter Club season. The 2 day event will take place at the Namdong Asiad Sadium in Incheon, South Korea, where one more team (winner) will be selected for Tokyo for the 2020 games along with the hosts Japan.  

Defending Asian Games Gold Medallists Hong Kong are the top seeds for the tournament, which features eight other outfits across Asia, bar Japan, who are exempt from qualifying as hosts in 2020. Nine have signed up for the challenge, including series participants China, Taipei, South Korea (hosts), Singapore, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia and Afghanistan will lock horns in the 2 days event.

A total of 12 teams make the games with the top 4 teams in the World Rugby rankings making an automatic qualification. Another 6 slots open up for the regional qualifiers for Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South Africa. While hosts Japan take the other qualification spot, the other spot is for the Repechage tournament that takes place nearing the tournament.

The last time Sri Lanka took part in the Olympic qualifier was in 2015 in Monaco, ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics, where the team finished 4th behind Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

 Pool A

Hong Kong, Taipei and Malaysia

 Pool B

China, Philippines and Singapore

Pool C

Sri Lanka, South Korea and Afghanistan

Touring Squad

Danushka Dyan (Capt), Adeesha Weerathunge, Buddhima Piyarathne, Chathura Senavirathne, Iroshan Silva, Jeson Dissanayake, Kevin Dixon, Ravindu Hettiarachchi, Reza Raffaideen, Sachith Silva, Sudharaka Dikkumbura, Vimukthi Rahula

Head Coach - Mat Lee (NZ)

Assistant Coach       Mohamed Mushtaq

Manager - Rohan Chinthaka

Physio - Tharaka Vithanage