Good talent in Commonwealth Rugby Sevens squads: Jayasena

Thursday, 28 April 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka National selectors Headed by former Police SC, Kandy SC and national player, Ashoka

Ashoka Jayasena

Jayasena and his committee selected a squad of 20 each (Men’s and Women’s) for the Commonwealth Rugby Sevens 2022 in Birmingham and later for the Asian Games in China.

The doubt came on all players and rugby loving public’s mind as the list of selected which was sent out by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) consisted clearly showing the 12 players for tour and the 8 stand by as this was unfair after just one day of rugby.

Ashoka speaking to Daily FT said: “We saw some talented boys displaying quality rugby at Longdon Place last Sunday. Out of nearly 50 plus players we short listed 20 of them for the Men’s and equal numbers for the Women’s outfit for both the events. We did not name the touring 12 as this was too early and the process to be followed and we have ample time since the Commonwealth Games 2022 will take place in 2 months’ time.” “Once the Head Coach is appointed it’s up to him to go through the 20 selected players along with their skill and fitness levels. If any injured players to be omitted who could be replaced by the others in the squad. But I can confirm that the touring 12 will be from the selected 20. So as a committee headed by me which comprises former players such as Rohan Abeykoon, Hemantha Yatawara, Kapila Knowlton and Leslie de Silva we have done out duty to perfection it’s up to the Director General of Sports to take it forward from here,” Ashoka added.

According to reliable source, Nilfer Ibrahim who is on 1-year contract with Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) at present and toured with the national sevens team for the Asian Sevens in UAE late last year is tipped to continue for these 2 tours as well. Women’s outfit too will go through the training under the contracted Head Coach, Saliya Kumara.

Sri Lanka sevens outfit in the Men’s segment has never missed out on a sevens representation from its inception in 1998 which took place in Malaysia. For women’s this will be the debut Commonwealth representation in United Kingdom during July.