Japanese sevens coach to visit Sri Lanka

Amidst the wheeling and dealing of the forthcoming Rugby Union elections, there is some good news for rugby players. It all began when current president of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union Priyantha Ekanayake accepted an invitation to witness Australia Prime Minister’s XV take on Japan. Ekanayake spoke to the Japanese rugby authorities with regard to sending a good coach to Sri Lanka. The deal was sealed when Dilroy Fernando went to Taiwan for ARFT Junior tournament. The end result is that the Japanese Sevens coach will come to Sri Lanka in February for two weeks.

“One area where we are weak in is strength and conditioning. The reason is we do not have good Trainers. Japan has generously offered to send one of their top Trainers for a period of six months. We will invite all those who want to be a trainer to come lessons. Our aim of this visit is to have good Trainers both at school and club level. In addition the coach and trainer are coming free of charge. Thus obviously neither the Union nor the public will have to fork out a rupee. Japan have also said they will send their World Cup team to Sri Lanka provided the security situation improves and we can hold the Rugby Asiad in November next year,” said Executive Director of the SLRFU Dilroy Fernando.

Meanwhile though derided by many in this country, D. Nimal became the first Sri Lankan to referee an Asian Junior Final. Nimal started off as a ball boy and became a referee through sheer grit and determination. It paid off handsomely as he was ranked among the top four out of 12 referees at the recently concluded ARFT tournament.