Warrior Trophy Rugby 7s 2021 powered by Dialog

Dialog Axiata Senior General Manager – Brand and Media Harsha Samaranayake hands over the Warrior Trophy Rugby 7s 2021 sponsorship to Senior DIG/Steering Committee Chairman Ranmal Kodituwakku. Others from left: Organising Committee Member Wing Commander Eranda Geeganage, Organising Committee Secretary SSP Nizam Jamaldeen, Organising Committee Treasurer Udani Edirisinghe, Steering Committee Member Group Captain Subash Jayathileka, Steering Committee member Rear Admiral Sajith Gamage, Sri Lanka Army Rugby Committee Member Lt. Col. Samantha Samrasinghe, Organising Committee Member SSP Lakshman Abeykoon and Dialog Axiata Manager – Sports Marketing Balakumar Ramasamy.

The speed and power of sevens rugby action is back this October after a lapse of more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, in partnership with the steering committee, which comprises of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force and Police will kick-off the Warrior Trophy Rugby sevens 2021 powered by Dialog on 30 and 31 October from 9:00 a.m. onwards at Police Park – Colombo 05.

The Commanders of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force, together with the IGP of the Sri Lanka Police have assured the fullest support in making this event a success. The Warrior Trophy will also perform as a platform for national selectors to pick the squad for the Asian Rugby men’s 7s series that will be played in Dubai – UAE (United Arab Emirates) on 19 and 20 November.

The tournament will be played behind closed doors and will not be open to the general public at the venue. However, it will be broadcast live on the terrestrial channel Supreme TV (Dialog Television channel number 20) and will also be available via live stream on ThePapare.com and Dialog VIU mobile app. The grand final will be played at the same venue on 31 October from 4:00 p.m. onwards. The tournament will be officiated by the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees.

Sri Lanka Club Rugby sevens giants CH&FC and Havelock SC will field their best teams, while Army SC, Navy SC, Airforce SC, Police SC will play with two teams each for the Warrior Trophy Rugby sevens 2021 powered by Dialog.

The Warrior Trophy Rugby sevens 2021 powered by Dialog tournament will be played in accordance with health and safety guidelines mandated by Government health authorities to minimise the risk of spreading of COVID-19. Teams will practice in isolation via a bio bubble set up in advance and will undergo regular PCR checks and Rapid Antigen tests to ensure safety.

“Sports is an integral part of Sri Lankan lives and I’m pleased for the initiative taken by the Steering Committee of Warrior Trophy Rugby sevens to restart rugby in Sri Lanka, and the support given by the National Team and Club Rugby sponsor, Dialog Axiata to meet the challenges of organising a tourney of this magnitude in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hon. Namal Rajapaksa MP, Minister of Youth and Sports said. 

“As a former Sri Lanka captain and national player, a tournament of this level is critical for selection and to prep players before a gruelling tournament like the Asian Rugby men’s sevens series. I wish the Steering Committee and Dialog the very best for two days of excellent sevens play,” he added.

“I’m indeed pleased that one of Sri Lanka’s biggest supporters of national sports, Dialog Axiata has once again come forward to support the game of rugby which is due to its nature, having an arduous time organising such a tournament,” Senior DIG/Steering Committee Chairman Ranmal Kodituwakku said. 

“With the assistance and guidance of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sports, the Steering Committee of the Warrior Trophy Rugby sevens will ensure the tournament will be played to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the partaking teams,” DIG Kodituwakku further added.  

“As the sponsor of National Rugby team and Club Rugby, Dialog is pleased to see the progressive steps taken by the Steering Committee of the Warrior Trophy Rugby sevens to organise a tournament of this magnitude,” Dialog Axiata Senior General Manager – Brand and Media Harsha Samaranayake said. “Rugby is one of the most followed sports in Sri Lanka and the fans are looking forward to see their clubs back in action. I wish the Warrior Trophy Rugby sevens for a successful tournament.”