Sri Lanka misses out on deadline

 Sri Lanka Sevens won the event in 2016 under Kevin Dixon

Asia Rugby Under-20 Sevens 2019

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SSRFA) has missed out on the deadline in sending the name of the players of the National Under 20 players for the Asia Rugby Under 20 Sevens 2019, which will take place in Laos at the end of this month.

The Sri Lankan outfit won the event in 2016 under Kevin Dixon, and in the following year ended as runners-up under Naveen Henakankanamge. This is the highest achievement in the field of rugby by Sri Lanka. Last year, Sri Lanka ended at number 3 with all three years former Police SC, Kandy SC player, Sudath Sampath coached the outfit.

According to reliable sources, Sri Lanka Rugby was quoted as saying no funds were available for junior games, while the SSRFA passes the ball on to the parent body, saying SLR needs to fund. The Under 18 tournament too falls into the same category - Sri Lanka is likely to miss out both. While the ball-passing game continues, talented youngsters are going to miss out on a golden opportunity to show their talents at the Asian level.