Return of rugby in January 2022 with Sevens

Friday, 29 October 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) headed by Rizly Ilyas and his team proposed their rugby calendar for 2022/2023 recently

SLR Deputy President

Nazeem Mohamed

with the kick-off of Club Sevens which is scheduled to take place in mid-January 2022.

Proposals were sent to the A Division clubs and are very likely to be approved after a 20-month wait without rugby, hampering many livelihoods which are heavily depended on the game of rugby football in the country. SLR did their level best to conduct the event but due to some issues could not conduct the Commanders Cup Rugby Sevens.

Sri Lanka Rugby announces rugby calendar

Tournament Committee Chairman and Deputy President Nazeem Mohamed speaking to Daily FT said: “We have given all clubs ample time to prepare for the return of rugby. Almost three months’ notice given for preparation which is ample time. Next year is an important one with two major events coming our way. One is the Asian Games in China and the other one being the Commonwealth Games in England.

“We have never missed these events and represented with a team with the inception onwards. We need to make a mark for us and show the other countries that we are no more a push over side. Nazeem ended as saying along with these two events there will be three leg of Asia Rugby Sevens 2022 so it’s a busy schedule of sevens rugby for our players. We will attract the necessary sponsors for these local and overseas tournaments”.

“Further we will have three Asia Rugby Sevens event as well.”

Proposed rugby calendar for 2022

15 and 16 January: Inter Club Sevens first leg (Men’s and Women’s)

18 February to 22 April: Inter-Club League

6 to 15 May: Clifford Cup Knockout

17 and 18 June: Inter-Club Sevens second leg (Men’s and Women’s)

6 and 7 August: Inter Club Sevens Under-21 (Men’s and Women’s)

4 November to January 2023: Inter-Club League

Asia Rugby (AR) Sevens three leg event and dates yet to be confirmed by AR.