Markko to handle Lankans in HK

The Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) had decided to appoint New Zealander Raiwi Markko to coach the Sri Lankan team for the Hong Kong Sevens in March and the Asian Championships in April.

Markko who is due to arrive at the end of this month has been appointed as a rugby coach and he will be joined by fellow countryman Keith Roberts to look after the training aspects of the team. In the wake of this speculation was rife that National Coach Rob Yule would leave as he was contracted for a period of one year which ends in March.

When The Sunday Times spoke to the President of the SLRFU Nimal Lewke, he said; “It will be up to the new council which will be elected on February 23 to make a decision on Rob Yule. And as for selecting the squad for the Hong Kong Sevens, it will be done after the Colombo Sevens tournament to be played in the first weekend of March and not after the Kandy sevens which ends today”.Recently the Education Ministry issued a ruling that no inter school sporting tournaments could take place until further notice due to the prevailing situation in the country. When asked about what would happen to the schools rugby season, Lewke said in conclusion; “I was to meet with the school authorities last week. But I had to postpone it due to some other important issues. I know the referees met them. I am hoping to meet them sometime this week. The commencement of the schools season is a long way off and obviously there will be a review of the security situation before that. Thus the possibility of having the schools league and knock out tournaments cannot be ruled out as yet.” (HJ)