Carlton Super 7s kicks off next week powered by eZ Cash

Friday, 20 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By David Ebert The Carlton Super 7s 2014 will kick off on 28 June, promising a superstar line up of players, both local and foreign, battling it out for four weeks of scintillating rugby once again. The tournament will be worked off at four venues, consisting of Kurunegala, Beliatta and Kosgoda, with the finals being played at the Race Course Rugby Ground in Colombo. The reason for hosting the games outstation this time around, according to Ceylon Premier Sports Chairman Nimal Perera, is to use the tournament to promote the game in rural areas and give local rugby talent the necessary exposure to a top class rugby format.

The tournament, which will consist of two legs, the first of which will consist of matches featuring purely local talent played off from 28 to 29 June in Kurunegala and 5 and 6 June in Beliatta. The second leg which will feature top class local rugby professionals along with big names such as D.J. Forbes once again will be worked off from 9 to 10 August. The reason given for the break in between the two legs is due to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in which Sri Lanka’s national rugby squad will be competing. Each team in the international leg will consist of five foreign and 10 local players. Just as in last year’s tournament, this year will also see 10 teams representing the 10 districts of the country – Central Kings, Eastern Eagles, Jaffna Challengers, North Western Blacks, Northern Gladiators, North Central Typhoons, Southern Sharks, Sabaragamuwa Stallions, Western Warriors and the Uva Vipers. Last year the Sabaragamuwa Stallions emerged winners of the second leg beating Jaffna Challengers 47-14, but the Challengers were crowned overall champions of the international league. Speaking at an event to mark the sponsorship of the tournament by Dialog Axiata’s eZ Cash, Ceylon Premier Sports Chairman Nimal Perera said: “On our behalf we are delighted and excited to have a sponsor like eZ Cash on board to make this high profile event a reality. The right commercial partner is imperative for a tournament of this nature and we the organising committee are excited about the difference eZ Cash as the official sponsor will make for the development of rugby. The Carlton Super 7s in partnership with eZ Cash will be the biggest sporting event in Sri Lanka and it is a great opportunity to prove Sri Lanka’s sporting prowess to a world audience.” Also present at the announcement was Dialog Axiata PLC Senior General Manager – Mobile Money & Payments Fariq Cader who commented: “As Sri Lanka’s largest mobile money service eZ Cash takes great pride in partnering with a premier rugby tournament such as the Carlton Super 7s 2014, that showcases tantalising rugby action from both international and local rugby players. I’m confident that this year’s tournament will surpass last year’s superb display of awesome 7s action.”