Sports Minister appoints Rugby Advisory Committee

• Asanga Seneviratne heads 8-member high-powered pack that includes Rizly Ilyas, Dilroy Fernando and Hafeez Marso

 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Former Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) President and current Chairperson of Asia Rugby Competition Committee Asanga Seneviratne will head the Rugby Advisory Committee appointed by Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa yesterday.

This committee was appointed in order for the development of rugby in the country.

It also includes the former Peterite/Peterson SC player and current President of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Rizly Ilyas who has done yeoman service for the game throughout his term as President though COVID handed off all for the last two years. 

Former Zahirian/Police SC and national rugby skipper/retired DIG Hafeez Marso is also included in the committee. Another famous figure where rugby and his name are so common is the former Isipathana/CR & FC player, former referee and Educator Dilroy Fernando, whose inclusion in the committee gives confidence for many that super work will be done. 

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, speaking at the occasion said: “SLR should go ahead and run their programs and this committee will look into the development of the game at national and provincial levels. Inviting overseas teams for these local events were also discussed in order to improve the standard of the game in Sri Lanka.»

Speaking to Daily FT, SLR President Rizly Ilyas said: “Minister also had advised the Committee to come back with a yardstick to select two squads – one for sevens and the other for fifteens. Selection for national teams will be based on the Inter-Provincial matches.” 

Speaking further he said: “If persons in the committee do not have different agendas and other motives, I am sure we can come out with a model for the best interest of schools, provincial unions, clubs and national rugby to step up and move forward.»

The Advisory Committee for the development of rugby comprises of Chairman Asanga Seneviratne, Rizly Ilyas, Hafeez Marso, Dilroy Fernando, Wing Commander Eranga Geeganange, Rear Admiral  A.S.L. Gamage, Udani Edirisinghe and Dr. Lal Ekanayake.