Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Friday, 29 March 2013 03:55 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Division-1 segment of the HSBC Asian 5 Nation tournament is all set to get under way this weekend with the participation of the host nation Sri Lanka alongside Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan and Thailand. The Sri Lankan team powered by Dialog (in their capacity as national team sponsor) is all set to take on the challenge attempting elevation to the top tier based on the success of this campaign.
Dialog has had a long and successful association with premier Sri Lankan sporting events and this association via sponsorship with the SLRFU reinforces the company’s long term strategy, commitment and support to uplift Sri Lankan sports to compete against the best on the international stage.
Last year saw considerable growth in the popularity of the game with the conclusion of an exciting and successful domestic season as well as international success that has been garnered by our sevens’ squad. The next step is to take to the 15-a-side game at international level to greater heights and with the team matching up against stiff competition on home turf in the hope elevating Sri Lankan rugby to greater heights. Having put their house in order and under the presidency of former fly-half Asanga Seneviratne, Sri Lanka will be keen to show that they can match their long and rich pedigree with results on the field. With the longest tradition of organised club rugby in Asia, dating back to 1879, Sri Lanka will be attempting to make a come-back into the Top Five, from where they were demoted in 2011. The team is coached by Ravin du Plessis with Ben Gollings as the assistant coach for the islanders and this formidable team is expected to mastermind their return to the top. Sri Lanka will be a handful once they get going, especially on the home turf. With a substantial regular following attending the Dialog League and Dialog Knockout club rugby matches in Sri Lanka, the team can be sure of passionate and noisy support as they test their strength in the top flight.