Sri Lions stamp class at Dubai International Men’s Open Rugby Sevens

Tuesday, 3 December 2024 02:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lions outfit

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lions Rugby etched its name in the annals of rugby history with a series of remarkable achievements at the Dubai Rugby Sevens International Men’s Open Championship by winning the event.

The pinnacle of the Sri Lions’ journey came this year, when they emerged victorious in the 57th Dubai Sevens International Men’s Open Championship. This achievement is particularly significant as it marks the first time, a Sri Lankan team has played and won at this high standard tournament.

Sri Lions at the Dubai Sevens from the Gulf Men’s category to the International Men’s Open category highlights their commitment to excellence and their ability to compete at higher levels.

Competing in the International Men’s Open category, they faced formidable teams from South Africa, Fiji, Australia, Tonga, Kenya, and the USA. This level of competition was unprecedented for a Sri Lankan team, highlighting their remarkable progress.

In 2019, the Sri Lions competed in the Gulf Men’s category at the Dubai Sevens. The Sri Lions bore fruit in 2020 when they qualified for the International Men’s Open category. This milestone marked the highest standard of rugby that any Sri Lankan team had ever reached, In 2022, the Sri Lions welcomed the legendary Cecil Afrika into their ranks. In 2023, the Sri Lions played for the fourth year and won the Plate Championship.

The Sri Lions lost to Speranza (Spain) 12/26, beat Eaprit Sud Sevens (Scotland) 21/5, and defeated God Fathers (England) 24/22. In the quarterfinal, they beat OG Sevens (England) 31/14, won the semifinal against Tropics (Canada) 28/19, and made a comeback in the final to beat Speranza (Spain) 36/17.

The following represented Sri Lions led by former Antonian rugby player Dinuk Amarasinghe.

Dinuk Amarasinghe (Capt.), Simone Fisi’ifeta’U Moala (Tonga), Charles Phillip Taylor (Australia), Ratu Manueli , Moape Raiba, Vaviano Sasituka, Tira Welagi Patterson (all from Fiji), Van Schalkwya Jean, Johamen Van Der Merwe (both from South Africa), , Theekshana Eshan, Raveen Fernando, Mohomed Nizran, Dulaj Navodya (all from Sri Lanka), Thusitha Nuwan (Physiotherapist) and Head Coach

(Epali Devatawlu Fiji).

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