Sri Lanka Air Force Commander’s Cup 2021 in full swing

By Shamseer Jaleel

The much-awaited rugby football will return to the country after a lapse of almost 12 months when the Sri Lanka Air Force organises and conducts the Air Force Commander’s Cup 2021 which will be worked off at Ratmalana Air Force grounds in March. First leg will be worked off on 20 and 21 March while the last leg will see off on 26 and 27 March at the same venue.

Sri Lanka Air Force is taking the lead to organise the tournament along with the assistance of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) and the approval of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sports. Since Kandy had pulled out of the event due to financial reasons their place will be filled with a development or school team. The 8th team will be decided in the near future. The tournament will be organised strictly adhering to prevention of COVID-19 rules set up by the tournament committee which was approved by the Ministry of Health. 

Speaking to Daily FT, Sri Lanka Air Force Rugby Chairman Air Vice Marshal Janaka Amerasinghe the former Antonian, Kandy SC and Air Force SC Rugby player said the first cluster of 20 players plus five officials in each of the eight participating clubs will commence practices with a negative PCR test report and by ensuring quarantine plus the health guidelines for 21 days with three PCR tests all been negative. All such records should be maintained by them and forwarded to the organisers when requested for.

Speaking further Amerasinghe said, “The 2nd cluster of Club players, officials, referees, medical, administrative staff, media and supporting staff to enter the Sri Lanka Rugby Tournament Cluster with a negative PCR test report. SLR will do two PCR tests and in quarantine until the tournament is over (seven days for 1st Leg and continue for another seven days for the 2nd Leg). 

Dialog have come forward to sponsor and the balance funds will explore the possibility to bring in one or more sponsors to prop up with us in order to conduct this event in a mega way since the cost for both legs is a considerable amount. This will be an annual event with the blessing of Air Force Commander Air Marshal, Sudarshana Pathirana who has taken sports to a different level with innovative thinking. SLAF has already organised the much-awaited golf event and hope to conduct a squash and cycle event as well. The winner of this Rugby sevens will walk away with Rs. 100,000 (1 m). All segment winners will receive trophies. There will be Cup, Plate and Bowl events. This will be an ideal preparation for the national sevens pool who will be featured in the Asia Rugby Sevens three leg event which will be worked off in South Korea, China and Sri Lanka later this year. Unfortunately, this Commander’s Cup 2021 will be worked off with no spectators and telecasted with live streaming in a channel island-wide.

Amerasinghe ended saying, “We are getting the full support from SL Rugby with the sponsor Dialog. Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa gave his full blessings for the initiative of conducting the Tournament during the meeting with Commander of the Air Force. We are very confident that this event will be worked off smoothly and kick-start the oval shaped ball game.”

Dialog Axiata Senior General Manager Harsha Samaranayake, speaking to Daily FT said, “Dialog Axiata is proud to sponsor Sri Lanka National Cricket, Rugby, Volleyball and Netball teams. The Company also has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, Club Rugby, Premier Football, Schools’ Cricket, Junior Volleyball and Paralympic sports – whilst also powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games and the Sri Lankan contingent to the Olympic and World Paralympic Games.

“Our current four-year contract with Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), the official rugby governing body in Sri Lanka, covers the sponsorship of National Rugby Team; and League, Clifford Cup and Club Sevens tournaments that are planned during that partnership period.”