Banks are bound to dominate Mercantile rugby seven

By Bernie Wijesekera

The Mercantile Rugby Sevens has gone from strength to strength, since its inception in 1970. The tournament was a brainchild of Capt. Mathew George. This year the contest will be held on November 16, 17 and 18. He sowed the seeds for a unique bridge between all firms via rugby, giving a chance for mercantile firms to join in the spirit of rugby.

Dialog Television Powers has come forward to power the 37th annual tournament. This year’s tournament has attracted over 40 teams. This was revealed at a media briefing held at the Hilton Hotel chaired by the Mercantile Rugby Football Association, President Lalith Hewage. Associated with him were Senior. vice-president Roshan Tissera, secretary Vasantha Ramanayake, Chirantha de Zoysa (senior manager, Group Marketing Dialog Telecom) and Nushad Perera (CEO Dialog Television).

On day one it will start at 4.00 p.m. under lights. The tournament will be played for the Cup, Plate, Bowl and the Shield. A team with two or more ‘A’ Div. Club players will be placed in the Segment ‘A’ (Cup). Entries close with the secretary of the MRFA, on November 1, players are only eligible to play if they have served the firm for two calendar months. According to a senior source of the MRFA, this rule has been abused in the past by some firms.

Mr. Hewage, president private sector calendar MRFA, thanked Dialog GSM for coming forward to sponsor the event which will be followed by the Singer Asiad. Nushad Perera (CEO, Dialog GSM) said they were happy to sponsor the Mercantile Sevens.
Last year the Cup was keenly contested by the banks – Seylan, Hatton National, and John Keells.