Asian Games preparation limp along

As is the norm these days controversy goes hand in hand with rugby. This time around it is the Asian Games. A 22 member squad was selected. However, only 18 players have attended the two week training session in Kandy. The other four including CH and FC’s star – Batheesha de Silva, are sidelined due to injury. Questions are also being raised as to why the new squad was picked given Sri Lanka’s impressive display at the Singer International Sevens.

Perhaps the biggest tragicomedy is the coaches. Initially Laga was appointed as head coach. To assist him Nishantha Chanaka and Inthi Marikkar were selected. A member of the official touring part complained to The Sunday Times that Marikkar had not attended the two week training session. As it turns out Marikkar had sent a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union Dilroy Fernando on the 8th of this month begging off the assignment due to personal reasons. Following are

the contents of the letter:

Mr Dilroy Fernando, Executive Director, SLRFU, Reid Ave, Colombo 07.

Dear Dilroy

15th Asian Games in Doha – 2006 – 7 – A – Side Tournament

I regret to inform you that I will not be able to be part of the coaching team due to business and personal commitments.
Since I have started on my own business, I am not in a position to be in Kandy for 3 weeks. If there is training in Colombo, I am sure to help out.
I hope you will understand my stand point and relieve me of this appointment.
I wish to thank you and the council for having confidence in me and appointing me.
I wish you and the team the best in the up coming tournament.
Yours Sincerely

Inthi Marikar

Fernando speaking to The Sunday Times confirmed that he had received and accepted Marikkar’s letter.

Another burning issue these days is the outcome of the Asiad which was postponed due to security reasons. Fernando when asked said that Korea would be taking a decision on 29th of this month following Sri Lanka’s request for the Asian powerhouse to host this edition and Sri Lanka to host the next.

Meanwhile the 40 member pool picked for the Under 19 Asiad, has been undergoing training in two pools. The squad in Kandy is coached by Viper Gunaratne, while Sanath Martis is handling the players in Colombo. Both pools will start training together in Colombo from tomorrow. The pool will pruned to 30 out of which the touring party of 23 will be picked.

The Junior World Cup is scheduled to be held in Taiwan from December 17 to 23 with all the Asian nations scheduled to take part.

The pool is as follows.
Props - Manil Abeyratne (Royal), Harsha Rangana (Ananda), D. Gunatilake (Dharmaraja), Andrew Jegan (Wesley) and Jazzer Hassan (Trinity).
Hookers - Bilal Hassan (Royal), Mehen Wickramasiri (Trinity) and Dinesh Manawadu (St. Aloysius).
2nd Rows - Sean Wanigasekera (Trinity), Chulan Nanayakkara (Isipathana), Rayan Dias (St. Anthony’s) and Ishan Noor (St. Peter’s).
3rd Row - Shashika Jayawardena (St. Anthony’s), Rohitha Rajapaksa (S. Thomas’), Poornaka Delpachithra (St. Peter’s), Amith Perera (Vidyartha), Arjuna Bopitiya (St. Peter’s) and Gayan Ratnage (Kingswood)
No 8 - Harin Ariyawardene (St. Peter’s), Banuka Hegoda (St. Joseph’s) and D. B. Dissanayake (St. Sylvester’s)
Scrum Half - Shanaka Peters (Wesley), Tilina Lakshana (Vidyartha) and Rajitha Jayewardene (Isipathana)
Fly Half - Irfath Meedin (St. Peter’s), C. Chandima (Vidyartha) and Praveen Madusanka (St. Aloysius)..
Centers - Tilina Manoj (Kingswood), Gayan Weeraratne (Kingswood), Roshan Wijesiri (St. Anthony’s), Damith Udayanga (Isipathana) and Harsha Weerakkody (St. Peter’s)
Wings - Kushal Rankoth (St. Anthony’s), Kasun Gamage (Isipathana), H.N.M. Silva (Nalanda), Priyan Rodrigo (St. Joseph’s) and Chanaka Guneratne (St. Anthony’s)
Full Back - Dinusha Chathuranga (Isipathana) and Hettiarachchi (Dharmaraja)
Extra 2nd Row - Jhan Zaffer (Wesley).