SAGT to prop up Women’s rugby

By Shamzeer Jaleel

South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) will once again prop up the Sri Lankan Women’s rugby outfit at the Asian Sevens Series 2016 which will kick-off in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong on 2 September . Last year too, SAGT sponsored the Women’s outfit at the Asian Sevens tournament.

SAGT CEO Erwin Haze speaking to media said “We all see big support for cricket and golf as lot more people are enthusiastic about it, not many people want to support a rare sport like the women’s teams in Sri Lanka, we celebrate success but in the meantime we should know how to accept defeat.” Former Royal 1988 skipper and Vice President of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) Lasitha Gunaratne said “There are many sponsors to do men’s and schools’ rugby, Thanks to SAGT for coming forward to uplift women’s rugby in Sri Lanka once more.”

The Sri Lanka Women’s outfit finished at the bottom in the Asia Sevens 2015 as they managed only to win one against Singapore in the last leg in Colombo. Due to this they were demoted to play the qualifiers in Division I. 

However, Sri Lanka did not participate due to the security reasons as this tournament was scheduled in Chennai, India. Sri Lanka will get an automatic qualification for this year and they need to finish in the top 7 to survive in the Asian top category for next year in the three leg tournament. Sri Lanka won the Plate chamionship in 2013 and 2014 (both in Hong Kong)

Pool C- Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Guam

Pool D- Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, Uzbekistan