Prima Co-Sponsors WPRFU Under-24 Ten a Side rugby contest

From left: WPRFU President Roshan Deen, WPRFU Tournament Committee Chairman SS P Nizam Jamaldeen, Prima Group - Sri Lanka Group General Manager Lawrence Chan and Ceylon Agro Industries (Prima Group - Sri Lanka) Deputy General Manager Sajith Gunaratne – Pic by Upul Abayasekara

Prima has come forward to prop up the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) for its Under-24 Ten a side rugby tournament which will be played at the Police Park on 11 September. 

There will be eight clubs and nine development teams locking horns in the tournament which is expected to kick off at 8 a.m. Pakistan High Commission has come forward as the main sponsor and Prima will be the Co-Sponsor of the event.

WPRFU President Roshan Deen said: “We originated the WPRFU in 1992 and we have seven, A division clubs out of eight. We have many leading schools and our area starts from Gampaha and goes up to Kalutara. These kinds of tournaments will be a good yardstick for the clubs to select their players for their A division matches in future. Further, this is a stepping stone for the young players.”

He said the tournament was a brainchild of SLR President Rizly Ilyas who was instrumental in getting the main sponsor in and thanked Prima group for coming forward as the Co-sponsor.

Sri Lanka Rugby President Rizly Illiys shared his thoughts on the impact rugby has, not only on aspiring sportspersons, but also on the country at large, and expressed his keenness on developing Sri Lankan Provincial Rugby to the next level.

Prima Group Deputy General Manager Sajith Gunaratne said: “These kinds of tournaments will enhance skills for the players and more regional events coming up in the Western Province will help the youngsters to get selected for a leading club and go on to represent the country one day.  As a nutrition company we are very happy and proud to be a partner with WPRFU and it’s only a start.”

Clubs

• Group A

Navy SC, Old Mudaliyans SC, Zubra SC

• Group B

Petersons SC, Old Zahira SC, Police, Golden Brown RFC

Development Clubs

• Group A

Colombo University, Field Force RFC, SLIIT RFC,

• Group B

Sri Jayewardenepura University, Kelaniya University, Old Moralians SC

• Group C

Kalutura RFC, Old Wesley SC, Kothalawela Defense University

• Group D

Panadura RFC, Gampaha RFC, Old Kannangara

(SJ)