Kandy sevens on stage again

By Aubrey Kuruppu, Pic by Dinuka Liyanawatte.

To George Simpkin, one time technical director of Sri Lanka rugby goes the credit for having ‘fathered’ the Singer SriLankan Airlines Rugby Sevens. Simpkin, who was one of the organizers of the Hong Kong Sevens which began in 1976, deemed it a great idea to stage a sevens tournament to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Kandy Sports Club in 1999.

The inaugural tournament was confined to the Asian region and consisted of twelve teams. The expenses involved in bringing the teams down, housing them etc were covered by the generous sponsorship given by Singer Sri Lanka and by SriLankan Airlines who provided tickets at a discount.

Action at the last Kandy Sevens.

Having seen the infant grow into a healthy toddler, SriLankan Airlines impressed by the enthusiasm shown by one and all and by the enjoyment derived, wanted to be part if the show. From 2000 onwards, they have provided complimentary air tickets for all teams.

According to the man behind every Sri Lanka rugby sevens endeavour, Iswan Omar, the tournament was being closely followed by the IRB to whom the local organizers had applied for IRB status, while the process pf evaluation was taking place, Kandy Sports Club, the organizers, in an effort to add colour to the sevens, decided to look at the European Sector. Accordingly, German, The Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Kenya and the Czech Republic took part in the next few years. The infamous ‘streak’ that took place after the final whistle had been blown one year, could be laid at the door of the last-named country.

In 2004, the IRB gave Sri Lanka the nod to conduct the Rugby World Cup qualifier. Because of this recognition, henceforth only national teams (not assemblages) participated.

Came 2005 and the tournament which had, by now, gained immensely in popularity, because the Asian region IRB satellite event. Twenty Asian teams were to be involved, but the rub was that only twelve could be accommodated. As far as Kazakhstan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and Cambodia were concerned, their tickets were paid for by the IRB, as these countries were not serviced by SriLankan Airlines being deemed off-line sectors.

The organizing committee has played with the idea of inviting leading rugby-playing countries such as South Africa, the Fiji Islands, Australia France and Western Samoa to brighten up the event. What is more, these teams were quite prepared to come. But the international authorities frowned on the idea and these teams were not released by the IRB circuit.

This years’ line up comprises Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Arabian Gulf, China, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, India, Cambodia., Sri Lanka and Japan. At the time of writing there is a cloud of uncertainty hovering over Japan’s participation. Pakistan and the Philippines have been left out from last year.

Last year, Korea, who had been put through the wringer by Sri Lanka in the semi final, beat China 24-19 in a hotly contested cup final. Thailand annexed the Plate with ease defeating Arabian Gulf while 26-12 Malaysia beat India 14-10 to win the Bowl.

In the schools section, the Anthonians dished out a sizzling performance to defeat Issipathana 36-22 and claim the plum. The lads from Randles Hill beat Wesley 26-12 to take the Plate. The Sylvesterians walked (or ran) all over the Josephians to take the Bowl 30-0.