SL women’s rugby team sets off to China to secure Olympic qualification

Sri Lanka will gain vital foreign experience in China

The Sri Lankan women will face an uphill battle to secure Olympic qualification

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Sri Lankan women’s rugby Sevens squad will leave the island later today in order to participate in the Asia Rugby women’s qualification competition for next year’s Olympics. 

This Asian qualification event will take place in Guangzhou, China on 9 and 10 November. This tournament will provide good exposure for the team, who will face an uphill battle in securing Olympic qualification.

Japan will automatically qualify for the Olympics as the Games’ host, with the top four teams from the 2018/2019 World Rugby Women’s Sevens series also securing their berths at the contest. The remaining participants will be from their respective continents following the conclusion of international Sevens tournaments. 

China is hotly favoured to gain qualification from Asia through this event. The Sri Lankan Sevens outfit, led by Sudath Sampath, which had poor outings in the first and second legs, made Saliya Kumara their Head Coach. They finished the Asian Sevens Series 2019 in sixth position out of a field of eight and narrowly avoided relegation.

The team comprises Anusha Attanayake, Anushika Samaraweera, Dasuni de Silva, Dilini Kanchana, Dulani Pallikkondage, Kumari Dilrukshi, Nadeeka Munasinghe, Nipuni Rasanjali, Randika Kumudumali, Sanikadilani Mutusami, Sanjeevani de Silva and Umayangana Thathsharini. The Head Coach is Saliya Kumara, the Manager is Shirani Rupika, the Medical Assistant is Ruwani Deepika and Physio is Maas Shafin.

Pool A - China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Sri Lanka

Pool B - Thailand, Singapore, Kazakhstan and the Philippines

9 November (Day 1)

Sri Lanka vs. Hong Kong at 5.14 p.m. (SL time) and Sri Lanka vs. South Korea at 8.08 p.m. (SL time)

10 November (Day 2)

Sri Lanka vs. China at 12.30 p.m. (SL time)