SL 7’s participation hangs in the balance

• Chef de Mission optimistic of rich haul of medals

By Althaf Nawaz

The Sri Lankan Rugby contingent (sevens) participation at the 19th Asian Games hangs in the balance and will depend on Asian Rugby’s (AR) willingness to redo the draw today to accommodate the Lankan Tuskers.

Due to the International ban by the World Rugby Governing Body World Rugby (WR), all avenues were shut for Lankan teams either to host or to participate in any overseas tournaments. However, after a request made by NOCSL to Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to include Sri Lanka under their tag to compete at this year’s Games in China, OCA in turn had requested AR to reconsider the situation and to do a redraw enabling the Lankans ruggerites to lock horns at this event.

The OAC Acting Director General Vinoth Thivari has made this request from AR by email early last week, which was copied to NOCSL President, Secretary and the Asian Games Sri Lankan team Chef-de-Mission Nishanthe Piyasena.

“Yes, we have received a copy of the email Acting DG of OAC wrote to AR to include the Lankan Rugby team in the draw, which is likely to happen on 31 August. So, we will know the outcome on that day. We are very optimistic about getting an opportunity for our Tuskers to compete in the games,” said Nishanthe Piyasena.

The 19th Asian Games will be staged in Hangzhou in China from 23 September to 8 October. The second-largest sporting event will attract 25,000 athletes from 45 countries. A total of 482 events will be held in 40 sports inclusive of 61disciplines.

The 155 member Lankan contingent will comprise of 97 athletes (63 male and 34 females) and the rest will be team officials and NOCSL delegates. The Lankan team will take part in 21 sporting disciplines as individual and team events.

Sri Lanka is brimming with confidence in the track events, especially the 100, 200, 400, and 800-meter races. The cynosure of all eyes will be on champion sprinter Nipun Abeykoon who has confirmed his availability to the local Governing Body and will join them in China. 

As per Nishanthe Piyasena the athletes will depart to the Games in batches according to the events calendar, about which they have briefed athletes accordingly. If the Tuskers are allowed to play, there is high hopes of winning a medal, while emerging athlete Nithmini Ahinsa will be another prospect in snatching a medal in wrestling. E-sports, Golf, and Beach Volleyball are other sports where the prospect of winning medals is high. 

“We have a mixed contingent with a blend of youth and experience. Having Yupun in our ranks is a big asset. We hope he will give his best to the country. Also, we are hoping for a medal in Rugby if they are included, while there are some other sporting disciplines where the athletes are strong contenders to win medals,” concluded Nishanthe Piyasena.

Meanwhile, DSI a prominent brand in the country, will be the principal sponsor of the Lankan contingent, while LOVI Ceylon will supply Team Sri Lanka’s official opening ceremony attire.