Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Thursday, 7 August 2014 01:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The sevens tournament has been organised by the Tharunayata Hetak Organisation and Ceylon Premier Sports Ltd.
The tournament will boast over 50 foreign players, including the likes of New Zealand’s World Cup Sevens winning captain DJ Forbes and his international teammates Tim Mikkelson, Tomasi Cama, Gillies Kaka and Lote Raikabula.
Fijian players including Setefano Cakau, Osea Kolinisau and Joeli Lutumailagi will also participate in the Super Sevens alongside local club players and under-21 players while this year’s edition of the tournament will feature 10 regional franchises representing different parts of Sri Lanka. The teams will also be coached by 10 experienced international coaches.
At a press conference held yesterday at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo, Tournament Director George Simpkin stated that the tournament would do a great deal for Sri Lankan rugby.
“This tournament is now viewed as a desirable event by international players. Unfortunately, certain domestic tournaments have restricted some international players from participating but it will still give local rugby players a chance to tackle the best,” he said. Sri Lanka won the Rugby Sevens Shield at the Commonwealth Games 2014 and Simpkin stated that the team really proved how far they had come.
“The performances during the games really showed that these little fellows can tackle the bigger players brilliantly,” he added.
New Zealand Sevens Skipper DJ Forbes also praised the tournament and the strides it had made since its inaugural edition.
“Three years ago I participated in the Carlton Super Sevens it was more of an experience for me in terms of travelling around Sri Lanka and playing against the local lads. The tournament’s got much more competitive through the years. It’s almost like pre-season games for us now,” he said.
Forbes also said that the local players would benefit greatly from the tournament and predicted that it would be around for a long time.
“It’s a great two weeks of rugby and hopefully we can help Sri Lankan rugby grow,” Forbes added.
The tournament will be played at the BOI Rugby Stadium in Koggala on 8 and 9 August as well as the Racecourse Rugby Stadium in Colombo on 15 and 16 August.
Meanwhile, the Dialog Carlton Schools Sevens tournament will also be held with the participation of eight schools.
Isipathana College, Trinity College, Kingswood College, Royal College, St. Joseph’s College, Science College, Wesley College and C.W.W. Kannangara Vidyalaya will take part in the tournament to be held alongside the Carlton Super Sevens.
Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe
