Sports - No bolero for Bolakoro

After weeks of speculation, the final decision is in. Jimmy Bolakoro will not be donning the Sri Lankan jersey nor any club jersey for the foreseeable future. According to IRB regulations a player cannot spend more than two months away unless it is due to exceptional circumstances. Bolakoro went back to his native country-- Fiji for a funeral. He was away for seven months. Thus his case has been referred to the IRB according to the Executive Director of SLRFU Dilroy Fernando.

Meanwhile Kurunegala RFC will not be replacing Navy in the ‘A’ Division tournament which began yesterday. Reliable sources told The Sunday Times that eight Navy players and two Army players were to turn out for the outstation club. However, the Tournament Committee decided against their inclusion on the basis that Kurunegala had played very few matches in the ‘B’ Division tournament. It is reliably learnt that the Navy and Army players will now turn out for various ‘A’ division clubs. As a result the ‘A’ tournament will consist of five clubs namely; CH & FC, CR & FC, Kandy, Havelocks and Army.

As part of the SLRFU’s plan, the under 23 rugby tournament is being run concurrently with the ‘A’ Division tournament. This is according to Fernando – to give the younger players exposure in front of large crowds and in a ‘big game’ atmosphere.

Informed sources told The Sunday Times that national coach George Simpkin has resigned from his post. However when we spoke to Fernando, he said this was the first he was hearing about it. According to Fernando, he had spoken to Simpkin a few days ago and Simpkin had given no indication that he wanted to resign.