West Asia Rugby Sevens in Qatar; Dilroy appointed Referees Manager

Former Isipathana/CR & FC/national rugby player, former top-class referee and World Rugby (WR) Trainer Dilroy Fernando was appointed as the Referees Manager for the West Asia Rugby Sevens 2021 which will take place in Qatar on 8 and 9 October.

This will be the second event organised by the Asia Rugby (AR) in two years due to the COVID pandemic around the globe. Dilroy was appointed in the same position at the AR Under-18 Girls seven-a-side event, which took place in Uzbekistan two weeks back. 

Dilroy, one of the veterans in the game, has delivered World Rugby training in nine different countries around Asia. Further, he is WR Educator for the last two decades. In Sri Lanka, he is in charge of referee training after a lapse of six years.

In his refereeing career, apart from the most number of Bradby Shield encounters, he is the only Sri Lankan to officiate a final at the Asian Games, which took place in 2002. Further, he was part of the Singer Sri Lankan Rugby Sevens since 1999, involved in nine of the International Cup finals as the referee.

Qatar quarantine requirement stands at 14 days at present, which is under discussion to suit the overseas players plus officials for this tournament. Two leading referees – Aaqil Jamaldeen and Dilum Deeshana – too will be officiating as referees at this tournament in Qatar. (SJ)