Inter-Club Sevens Tournament kicks off on 30 September

From left: Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Secretary Nizam Jamaldeen, SLR Deputy President and Tournament Committee Chairman Group Captain (Retd.) Nalin De Silva and SLR Executive Director Hamza Hidayathullah at the press briefing of the Inter-Club Seven Tournament 2022 – Pic by Ruwan Walpola

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) will kick off its shorter version of the game on 30 September at the Race Course Ground in Colombo. 

The tournament will be conducted for three days with the kick-off is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. each day of the sevens tournament opened out to the eight clubs, Plantation teams and Invitational outfits.

This will be used as a yard stick for the selection of the Men’s and Women’s National Teams to play the Asian Seven Series 2022 which will take place during October and November 2022 in Thailand, Kazakhstan and UAE as the Criteria directed by the Ministry of Sports.

SLR Deputy President and Tournament Committee Chairman Group Captain (Retd.) Nalin De Silva said: “This is the first time that we are playing Inter Club Tournament as an Invitational Tournament opening to all top Division 8 Clubs, Provincial Unions, Planters, Old Boys Rugby Teams totalling up to 16 Men’s teams and 6 Women’s teams. 

“This will enable a wider players base including the players who were effected due to COVID and could not take part in club level rugby in the last two years and only the players take part in this tournament will be selected for the sevens national squad by the SLR National Selection Committee.”

SLR Secretary Nizam Jamaldeen answering to a query on sponsors said: “We are speaking to some sponsors and have some positive responses already, we will finalise in the near future.” Further the budget for the tournament was not disclosed. 

SLR Executive Director Hamza Hidayathullah speaking to Daily FT on the suspension said: “We have already written to Asia Rugby twice along with the court order which we received on 19 May 2022 and await a favourable response in the near future. The tournament will take place in October and November and we have got ample time.”

All registered clubs and provincial unions who wish to participate will be permitted to enter one team per club. They should contact Gayathri via e mail [email protected] on or before 16 September.

(SJ)