Saturday Oct 18, 2025
Saturday Oct 18, 2025
Saturday, 11 October 2025 01:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
From left: Asia Rugby Competitions and High Performance Chairman Asanga Seneviratne, Sri Lanka Rugby President Pavithra Fernando, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, Tournament Committee Chairman Group Capt. Nalin De Silva (Retd.), Asia Rugby - Point of Contact (ARSS Colombo Leg) Tournament Director Hassan Sinhawansa and Sri Lanka Rugby Deputy President Shanitha Fernando - Pic by Daminda Harsha Perera
By Shamseer Jaleel
The Second leg of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series is set to bring high-octane action to Colombo on 18 and 19 October at the Race Course ground.
The event will feature 12 Men’s and equal number of Women’s teams. The two-day shorter version of the game will come under Sri Lanka Rugby Committee headed by Pavithra Fernando.
For the Men’s segment, teams representing Japan, Hong Kong China, China, Malaysia, Singapore, UAE, Thailand, Philippines, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, and Sri Lanka will take the field. Each side will look to fine-tune their strategies as they continue their campaign toward global rugby qualification.
Meanwhile in the women’s segment which will feature an equally competitive line-up, including Japan, Hong Kong China, China, Malaysia, Singapore, UAE, Thailand, Philippines, India, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. The inclusion of several emerging nations promises an exciting and unpredictable contest across both days.
The Asian Sevens Series was first launched in 2009, has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated rugby events. Traditionally featuring three legs, this year’s edition will comprise only two legs with the first held in China last month. Sri Lanka’s men’s team impressed there, finishing fourth overall, signalling strong potential ahead of their home leg.
Importantly, the Series also acts as a qualification pathway for the Sevens Rugby World Cup and Olympic Sevens making every match vital for teams aiming to secure their place on the world stage.
After the first leg, Japan lead the Men’s standing with China placed second followed by Hong Kong China and Sri Lanka. Both Japan and China will be favourites heading into Colombo, but Sri Lanka will look to leverage home support to climb higher in the rankings.
In the women’s bracket, traditional powerhouse, Japan, Hong Kong China and China are front runners.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, Sunil Gamage attended the occasion and explained the tough time with the court cases and now it’s cleared looking forward for the rapid progress of the new committee headed by Pavithra Fernando as the President of Sri Lanka Rugby Committee. He thanked all for clearing the SLR in conducting the AGM without any further delay which could have put them in a suspension.
Adding local flavour and support, Maliban will prop in as the Platinum sponsor on board of the Colombo leg, ensuring that the event not only delivers thrilling rugby but also celebrates regional partnership and sporting excellence. Other sponsors are Cinnamon Lake, KottuMee, Aitken Spence Travels, Commercial Bank, Tokyo Cement, Thepapare.com, PEO TV, Cargills, Link Natural and Edge.
