CH & FC and Sri Lanka Air Force to kick off club rugby in Kurunegala

By Shamseer Jaleel

CH & FC and Sri Lanka Air Force will lock horns in club rugby returning to the playing field after a lapse of nearly 17 months. The 2019 edition of the Clifford Cup knock out rugby was cancelled with COVID

Dinka Peiris

Rizly Ilyas

Ronny Ibrahim

Subash Jayathilake

ripping through the country and all the sporting activities coming to a halt soon after the completion of the League rugby encounters in 2019.

CH & FC and Sri Lanka Air Force will lock horns in the first leg under lights in Kurunegala (Maligapitiya Stadium) with the kick off scheduled at 6:30 p.m. The return leg will be played a week later at Ratmalana on 20 August with the kick off being at 4:30 p.m. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will grace both the occasions as the Chief Guest. Further both these encounters are tipped to be telecast on a leading TV channel.

Coordinating Secretary to Minister of Youth and Sports Ronny Ibrahim speaking to Daily FT said, “All matches will be played under strict health guidelines with the approval of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Youth and Sports. Further, no spectators will be allowed. Ronny speaking further said, “We have asked the Referees Society to nominate officials giving priority for the ones who got both vaccinations.”

Sri Lanka Air Force, Rugby Chairman the former Thurstan rugby player (1989-1991), Group Captain Subash Jayathilake said, “We have got all required approvals from the Health Ministry and Sports Ministry. Further we have requested the Referees Society to assign the officials for both encounters. This is a friendly club encounter which will be played under a bio bubble system plus PCR tests carried out for both players and officials on a regular basis. We have got all the support from Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana in order to conduct these two encounters. This will not only help rugby to be back but also help many for their livelihood after the COVID destruction of sports in the country. 

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President Rizly Ilyas said, “SLR is very keen and positive on the game getting back to its feet and we await the health ministry bio bubble approval. We trust that the Sports Minister who is also a member of the COVID task force team will get this approval sorted so that rugby can be back on its feet. 

Referees Society President Dinka Peiris speaking to Daily FT said, “We were notified by Sri Lanka Air Force through a letter about these two games and we have requested them to convey same to Sri Lanka Rugby for their blessing. I was made to understand it’s done again through a letter and was conveyed same at the recently held council meeting. I am also in receipt of a letter from the Sports Ministry to officiate these two games. Further I have forwarded the said letter to SLR for their information.  

“We are glad that both Sri Lanka Air Force and CH and FC have made necessary arrangements to kick off rugby, in Kurunegala under light and in Ratmalana on 13 and 20 August respectively. Peiris ended as saying, “We will officiate it based on the approval, request from Sport Ministry and our boys too are waiting to get into action as they are geared up as we had virtual workshops, strength and conditions sessions.