World Rugby approves National Sevens team under NOC flag

Sri Lanka Sevens team to lock horns under NOC flag 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Sevens Rugby outfit will lock horns at the Asian Games in China during the month of September 2023 under the National Olympic Committee (NOC) flag.

This was confirmed by World Rugby (WR), Chief International Relations and Participation Officer David Carrigy through an e-mail to NOC President Suresh Subramaniam.

The letter says

As you are aware WR and Asia Rugby (AR) recently visited Sri Lanka and held number of meetings with stakeholders to fully review the issues that resulted in the suspension of SLR.

All stakeholders were concerned that the rugby players should not be penalised for governance issues. Further the permission is granted for the sevens rugby team to participate under the NOC flag at the Asian Games Rugby Sevens 2023 in China.

Sri Lanka has already submitted the names of 12 players and three officials through NOC with the extended deadline. Sri Lanka Rugby sevens outfit represented the Asia Sevens in 2023 under the NOC flag in UAE leg after missing out on participating at the Korean tournament.