Thilangani becomes first Sri Lankan recipient

By Shamseer Jaleel

World Rugby (WR) and Asia Rugby (AR) have announced the four recipients awarded Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarships from the region for 2020. 

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) only Women’s Council Member Thilangani Warakagoda will be the first recipient of this award from Sri Lanka.

Four candidates from Hong Kong, Laos, Sri Lanka and Indonesia were awarded with the total 37 Executive Leadership Scholarships have been awarded worldwide since 2018. This award will be vital for the accelerating the global development of Women in rugby from 2017 to 2025.

The other three recipient of the award were Doris Chow (Hong Kong), Viengsamai Souksavanh (Laos) and Karina Soerjanatamiharja (Indonesia). This Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarship program is open to women who are currently involved in rugby at governance or senior management level or have the potential to be a senior manager within the sport or on a union or region board within two years. Speaking to Daily FT, Thilangani said: “I studied at Anuradhapura Central and worked at Sri Lanka Air Force where I got involved with rugby football. I came in to the SLR Council in 2017. This program was to take place last year but got postponed and I was nominated by SLR. 

“I became the first women to represent the council plus SLR is the only council a women representation in made which gives equal opportunity for all. Further I was the Team Manager of Sri Lanka Women’s rugby outfit from 2011 onwards though missing out couple of years.

“There are many talented girls in my region; Jaffna, Polonnaruwa and Kurunegala who are good athletes but give up the sport after some time due to lack of opportunity and no financial support for them. My aim is to identify and bring them in to the oval shaped ball game. 

“We have women’s team only in forces and few more teams like CR & FC. I worked at Sri Lanka Air Force and now at Brandix. There are many talented girls in my institution. If we can field a team or two and play it will give more opportunity for these girls to compete at highest level and then for the country which is the fastest growing sport in Asia.” She ended as saying: “I am thankful to SLR and for the support they gave to get this offer to me and Sri Lankan women.”