Hambantota mystery outfit to play rugby next season
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With the 2013 club rugby season being pushed forward for November, it is made to know that the number of Division A segment teams will increase to ten with the inclusion of another team, in the form of either Kurunegala RFC or Hambantota RFC.
The concluded season saw Upcountry Lions SC making its debut in the Division A segment, besides Havelocks SC, Kandy SC, Navy SC, Army SC, Air Force SC, CR&FC, Police SC and CH&FC. With the inclusion of a team from Kurunegala or Hambantota, the number of teams would be balanced at ten with no teams receiving a week off during the two-legged league competition.
Last year the Up Country Lions made its debut.
However according to Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) sources, the intended club has been not made its registration despite reports are abuzz of player-shifts. Last year, prior to the commencement of the 2012 club rugby season, reports came on prefacing of two ‘division A’ clubs, but only Upcountry Lions made its debut.
The much talked of Kurunegala club did not surface while in the forthcoming season too their appearance remains a doubt according to reliable sources who confirmed the launch of Hambantota SC. However SLRFU officials failed to confirm the development officially.
“It’s good to have ten clubs rather than having nine, to balance the competition. So far the ‘division A’ league remains as a clash among nine teams for 2013 as there is no confirmation of a new club being registered. Moreover there’s 11 more months before the next league season and anything could happen before the tournament draw,” Tournament Committee Chairman of SLRFU, Lasitha Gunaratne stated.
However it was confirmed last year the SLRFU had decided to evade the traditional method of promoting a team from the ‘division B’ segment to the top league while sending the bottom seed team from ‘division A’ to the lower level. This came to light when they accommodated Upcountry Lions in the top league bypassing the relegation system. With many of the teams from ‘division B’ being from armed forces, it is unlikely to have two teams representing the same club experts say. Gunaratne explained the stance of SLRFU on this issue.
“It is evident that either a team of Army, Navy or Air Force are likely winners of ‘division B’ each year as they field more than one team in this segment. Even if they reach the ‘division A’, it is unlikely that they could make a real impression against the much experienced sides.”
“At the same time there were requests to enter new clubs in the top division. To maintain standards the SLRFU made a policy decision to charge rupees 2 million as entry fee, for any new club that shows intent on this league. A well structured club would never take the risk of dumping such a sum, if they cannot exist in ‘division A’ for a longer period, until they establish themselves. The door will be open for such clubs in the ‘division A,” he added.
In addition it is reliably leaned that the intended club, Hambantota SC have obtained player registration forms from the SLRFU and it had already begun player recruitment with a long term plan. It is also learnt that key players from other leading clubs have shifted to the new club. In addition it is also made to know that a foreigner is likely to coach the side as the owners or officials of this club still remain a mystery. – NA
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