Sri Lanka’s sevens team was at full strength for the Asian Games Rugby Tournament which will take place in Guangzhou China tomorrow and on Tuesday. The side led by former Rajans, Kandy SC and present Air Force play maker Radika Hettiarachchi. The young outfit did really well at the Borneo Sevens in Malaysia two weeks ago ending as Plate champions.
Radhika Hettiarachchi will captain the side in
Guangzhou |
Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) Secretary Shane Dullewa, said that the Lankans will field a well-balanced side to contest the rugby sevens segment of the ongoing Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Speaking further to the Sunday Times Dullewa said that CR & FC’s Bilal Hassen and Kandy SC’s Mohammed Sheriff, had replaced Romesh Arachchige and Dinesh Chathuranga. Hassen and Sheriff were in the original pool of 30 players which the SLRFU got accreditation earlier in June this year.
“The team is very strong and there is a huge possibility of Sri Lanka winning a medal at the Games. The players have performed very well over the past few weeks and I believe they have peaked at the right time," said Dullewa.
Surprisingly Sri Lanka Sevens Star Fazil Marija has been dropped from the final squad. Reason, the authorities say that he is not 100% fit to go on tour. When the Sunday Times Contacted Fazil he said that he gave a letter to SLRFU two weeks ago stating that he is available for the sevens. “Later three of the national selectors wanted me to attend practices. I was under the watchful eyes of Sudath Sampath and on the last day the National Selector Michael Jayasekera said that I am not fit to play sevens rugby so will not make the touring party”. He ended by saying that they wanted him to come and train with the sevens squad after the Asians Games, but will not attend practices since he feels that they are taking revenge from him.
Sri Lanka will battle it out with India, China and Korea in the round robin stages of the rugby sevens at the Asian Sevens.
Former Trinity winger Imthisam Marikkar will coach the side and Sudath Sampath will be his assistant.
At the last edition of the rugby sevens event at the Asian Games in Doha in 2006, Sri Lanka beat India (48-0) and lost to both China (31-5) and Hong Kong (35-5).
The Sri Lanka team:
Radika Hettiarachchi (Capt.), Dilan Soysa, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Charith Seneviratne, Mohammed Sheriff, Anuruddha Willawara. Sajith Saranga, Shenal Dias, Bilal Hassen, Chanaka Chandimal, Saliya Handapangoda and Vishwamithra Jayasinghe |
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