Mercantile rugby Sevens kick off on 15 July

The 46th edition of the Mercantile Rugby Football Sevens, along with the inaugural Mercantile Women’s Tag Rugby Tournament, will be held on 15, 16 and 17 July at the CR&FC Grounds at Longdon Place. 

Around 40 men’s teams are expected to participate. The much anticipated tournament, which was inaugurated in 1966, is conducted by the Mercantile Rugby Football Association (MRFA) under the aegis of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU). 

The MRFA is now under its new President, former Peterite Shanaka Fernando (53), who has the unique record of participating in 30 tournaments out of the 45 held to date. He started playing for Health & Co. fresh out of school in 1982 before later joining the Metropolitan Group whom he represented for over 25 years. He played his last Mercantile Sevens tournament in 2013 on his 50th birthday.

The new MRFA Secretary is Dinushka Jayatissa from Ceylon Tobacco Co.  The MRFA, while calling for entries from affiliated firms and newcomers, had a meeting with the captains and secretaries from the prospective teams on 27 June at 6.00 p.m. at the CR&FC Pavilion Lounge. Details relating to the rules, playing conditions and other aspects of this Sevens competition were thoroughly explained by the two rugby veterans, Wimal Perera and S.W. Chang. The entries for the tournament will close on 1 July and the team draw will be held on 8 July at 6.00 p.m. at the CR&FC Pavilion Lounge.