Junior rugby players off to Singapore

Thursday, 10 December 2015 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka junior rugby players led by Omalka Gunaratne and coached by Sanath Martis will leave for Singapore tomorrow early morning to participate at the Junior World Rugby Tournament (JWRT) from 13 to 19 December.

Sri Lanka after preparation with a training camp in Diyatalwa lost focus midway due to a few leading Colombo clubs taking the players back to their club matches. After continuous discussion Martis was able to secure them back and had another 10 days before the departure.

Speaking to the Daily FT, Head Coach Martis said: “Our focus is to win this tournament. We will have stiff opposition from a strong Hong Kong outfit where they are grouped together for the last 45 days. If we win we will secure a place along with Japan for the Junior World Cup in Zimbabwe in 2016 April. Sri Lanka has had only one appearance in the Junior World Cup, that was in 2001 Chile.”

Sri Lanka will play the hosts Singapore (13), Hong Kong (16) and Taipei (19).

Head Coach – Sanath Martis

Asst.Coach – Collin Denish

Manager – Buddhika Kulatunge

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