Now the Hong Kong referees are up in arms
Singapore responded positively to Lanka's SOS call
Hong Kong has refused to send referees for the Sri Lanka Super Sevens which was held on Friday and Saturday at the Racecourse ground in Colombo. This, according to informed sources, was after Sri Lankan team officials of the Under-18 team had been too rude match officials at the Asian Under-18 Schools Sevens Championship held in Hong Kong two weeks ago.
The Sunday Times understands that the Tournament Management of the Asian Under-18 Schools Sevens Championship had been seriously concerned about the ‘abusive questioning’ manner of referees by the Sri Lanka officials. This according to sources had a role on Hong Kong not responding positively to Sri Lanka’s request to send match referees for the two-legged Super Sevens.
Clarifying matter K.S.P. Karunaratne, the Manager of the Sri Lanka Under-18s team denied of any wrongdoings, after the on-field referee disallowed a crucial try posted by Sri Lanka in the Cup semi-final game against eventual winners Hong Kong at Kings Park on July 24.
“We made an official complaint over the incident of disallowing one of our tries in the Cup semi-final game against Hong Kong. Nothing other than this occurred. We made sure to make everything official and we are waiting for an official response. Other than that we can assure nothing bad took place,” Karunaratne told the Sunday Times.
To assist Sri Lanka Super Sevens, Singapore obliged in the eleventh hour and sent their officials in addition to two from Sri Lanka. By not sending their representatives Hong Kong has sent Sri Lanka a strong message that antics dished out locally by spectators and coaches on Rugby refereeing are not tolerated beyond the shores.
According to sources Sri Lanka Under-18 officials had been asked to leave when they came out strongly on the Refereeing Manager of the Asian Schools Sevens, a tournament organised by Hong Kong, not the Asian Rugby Football Union. Sri Lanka emerged Plate champions thrashing Singapore 33-7 while Hong Kong went on to win the competition beating Thailand 14-7.