Isipathana object to change of date

By Shamzeer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) ran into another hurdle this week when Isipathana College objected to playing the finals of the Milo President trophy knockout on 16 July, saying their players are currently with the Under-18 national squad tour of Hong Kong. Soon after the two semi finals, the SLSRFA failed to take a decision on the final encounter venue and date. Their lackluster appraoch meant there was no time to organise the 9 July final. The Thomians were forced to play at the Royal Complex under protest giving an undue advantage to Royal.

Another meeting took place at the Ministry of Education yesterday, with the participants coming to an agreement to play the final before 16 July to allow a majority of the players to feature in the Milo final as well as train with the national squad for the Hong Kong tour. The Race Course grounds is likely to remain as the venue of the final, and the encounter will be played on a weekday (possibly 12 July)

This clearly shows the inability of the SLSRFA to organise a tournament and the governing body, the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), should take control of the entire program of Rugby Football in the country so it will be better managed.