(Q)Key sera sera for Yohan this season — sings up for CR and Army
Former St. Joseph’s College forward and Sri Lankan double International Yohan Keyser has found himself in a pickle by signing to play for CR & FC in the upcoming club rugby league tournament and also enlisting himself in the Sri Lanka Army as a soldier. The Sri Lanka Army SC is a side that also plays an active part in the rugby season in tournaments conducted by the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Association.
Keyser who signed up for the Longden Place Club and received his initial monthly payment of Rs 40,000 to represent them in the forthcoming league tournament finds himself in an awkward position that he has got himself into.
Dunstan de Silva the CR & FC team manager confirmed that Keyser has been registered with the SLRFU as a player for this coming season. “We were surprised to receive an official letter from Army SC informing us that our registered player would be turning out for them. We have officially submitted a letter to the SLRFU and also enclosed the letter we received from Army SC,” concluded De Silva.
Keyser when contacted confirmed this situation he has found himself in and voiced that he intends to return the monies received from CR & FC and obtain a clearance letter. “I have no choice but to represent the Army SC as I am now an enlisted soldier in the Gemunu Watch,” said Keyser.
Major General B.A. Perera of the Sri Lanka Army SC confirmed that Keyser will have no choice but to represent them if he wishes to play rugby football during the club season. “We have asked Keyser to sort out this problem with CR & FC and obtain the necessary clearance he requires. He is a soldier with the Sri Lanka Army and he has no option but to play for us,” confirmed Major General Perera.
Group Captain and Honorary Secretary of the SLRFU Nalin de Silva confirmed that CR & FC had written to them regarding this issue. “The Army SC has not registered their team as yet so there is nothing that we could do at this stage. If it does appear that a single player has been registered by two clubs then we will certainly look into the matter and look at the best possible options of helping to amicably sort out the issue with the two clubs,” summed up de Silva.
The SLRFU has left a window of 48 hours prior to the commencement of the league tournament for clubs to finalise their registrations.