Final winner to be announced in May
DHL Express, the world’s leading express international service provider and the Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015, hosted a 
Rugby Carnival for children today at the Race Course grounds, following an overwhelming response towards the DHL RWC Match Ball Delivery campaign, a nationwide competition that will present one Sri Lankan child the opportunity to deliver the official match ball onto the field of play at a World Cup 2015 Tournament match.
“We are proud to be part of the Rugby World Cup and pleased to be able to bring the game of rugby to children in Sri Lanka,” said Dimithri Perera, Country Manager, Sri Lanka, DHL Express. “Rugby is a game that exemplifies a Can-Do attitude, speed, passion, accuracy and a commitment to excellence with a will to win – the exact values that DHL strives to bring to all of our customers, every day.”
80 school children attended the DHL Rugby Carnival, selected from the 36 Division ‘A’ rugby playing schools with the support of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU). At the one-day event, the children received tips and insights from Rugby national team members and coaches, 
and underwent a series of skills assessments to progress to the next stage, where an online voting campaign will determine the winner of the Match Ball Delivery campaign.
20 children were finally selected based on the rugby skills they displayed during these sessions which was reviewed by the National team members present.
“The SLRFU is delighted to assist DHL in this campaign,” SLRFU Honorary Secretary, Group Caption Nalin De Silva said. “This campaign delivers a unique opportunity to so many kids to develop their game and the chance of a lifetime for a young player to experience Rugby World Cup 2015.”
Additionally, a nutrition workshop was held to educate and inform them on their nutritional requirements as they pursue their rugby dreams. Etu Tusitala, the nutritional coach of the national team, provided the children with an informative and motivational speech. Chandrishan Perera, the well-known rugby personality, was the master of ceremonies throughout the day.
The following students proceeded to the final 20; Jalal Wahab (St. Peters College), Sahan Agalawatta (Royal College), Vishenka Apekshan Silva (St. Peters College) Dinnel Lihan Rathnayake (St. Peters College), Faizal Mohamed Fakir, Haroun Rasheed (Royal College), Srijith Perera (Trinity College), Philio Calyaneratne (Royal College), Abidh Mohamed Jameel (Trinity College), Sadhil Nethaka Ranaweera (Trinity College), Arash Rafeek (Trinity College), M.D.I.D Ilukpitiya (Royal College), Rajhindu Budwin Jayasuriya (Royal College), Savith Vinthaka Manamperi (Royal College), W. H. H. C Samarasinghe (Trinity College), Avishka Edirisinghe (Trinity College), Sandesh Akil Mathew Perera De Mel (St. Peters College), Mikael Lye (Wesley College), Suhail Fernando (St. Peters College) and Ruwanka Miranga Subasinghe (Trinity College).
The next step in the selection process will involve online voting which began on April 22. The final winner of the DHL RWC Match Ball Delivery campaign will be announced in the second week of May 2015. – NA