Sri Lanka barred from Asian Sevens

Sri Lanka's team preparing before the invitation was withdrawn (The Papare.com)

With over 1,000 registered adult players – more than any other country in Asia - Sri Lanka have huge potential, but were relegated last year to the Development level (in effect Division 2 of Asian sevens). The recent appointment of New Zealand’s Linda Itunu as coach shows the determination of the Sri Lankan Union to turn their potential into performance.

However, the Development Sevens is being hosted by India in Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu state where there has been considerable anti-Sri Lankan unrest in recent years. As a result, organizers of the tournament told the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) on Tuesday (16thFebruary) that they have decided to withdraw their invitation to the Sri Lanka Team for security reasons. This was confirmed by the Indian Union just as the team was preparing to fly out.

Sri Lanka has spent Rs 3 million preparing their team, including flights and accommodation and were favourites to win the tournament. "This is not our fault,” said S.W. Chang, chairman of the women's team, who was critical about the sudden and last minute decision of the Indian Union. “They should have played this tournament in a neutral place where all teams could participate.”

At what was supposed to be their farewell dinner Asanga Senavirathne, the President of SLRFU, had told the team that “We are not going due to the security concerns. I have spoken to the Asia Rugby Football Union (ARFU) and they suggested the winners of the tournament will play in a neutral venue, ideally in Bangkok, very soon. I am also trying to get this within the next two weeks, because I know you all had trained and prepared with focus”. If the play-off goes ahead Mr Senavirathne said that it is likely to consist of three matches against the winner of this weekend’s event, played on the same day with the team scoring the most points qualifying for the Asian Sevens Series.

Five teams will still take part in the Chennai tournament, including Indonesia who will be making their women’s international debut. The programme has been redrawn following Sri Lanka’s forced withdrawal and will now be:

Saturday: India v Nepal; South Korea v Indonesia; Guam v Nepal; South Korea v India; Guam v India; Indonesia v Nepal;

Sunday: South Korea v Nepal; Guam v Indonesia; India v Indonesia; Guam v South Korea; 3rd/4thplace playoff; Final.