Former Thomian, CR & FC ruggerite and CCC cricketer Asanga Senenviratne took over the top position as the President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) which took place at the Water’s Edge in Battaramulla.
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| Rizlly Illyas |
Former Royal and CR & FC captain Lasitha Guneratne was appointed as the Vice President, as the Central Province Nominee for the same position former Trinitian Mohan Samarakoon withdrew his nomination. Former Petrite and Peterson SC player Rizlly Illyas was elected uncontested for the vital Secretary’s seat while Kiran Atapattu was retained as the treasurer for yet another term.
The following were elected as council members. Fazal Mohammed, Roshan Deen, Prashantha Wimalasena, Maj. Gen. Daya Ratnayake, Rear Admiral Jayantha Perera, Brigadier Sunil Ranasinghe and Chula Dharmadasa.
Soon after his appointment Secretary of the SLRFU Rizlly Illyas speaking to the Sunday Times said that President Asanga Seniviratne's initial plan is to get the national team prepared for the HSBC Asian Five Nations Tournament Division I which will take place in Philippines in April this year.
“Asanga is all out to bring Sri Lankan rugby back in the top three in the Asian Region. We will start training the unit end of this month under a local physical trainer. Then we will select a Coach most likely from overseas and he will be here by the end of February for this big event. Already we have informed the selectors to send us the squad by next week. And to contract an event management company to structure SLRFU sponsorships, tournaments and brand imaging the national team.
Speaking further Rizlly Illyas better known as “Dida said, “We are very happy to take over the office with the blessings from every one. He stressed the point of having an own office for the SLRFU. “ Like most other sports body we too need an office of our own. With the Sports loving President Mahinda Rajapaksa backing the game of rugby football in a big way we will very likely get an office space near the Sports Ministry grounds at Reid Avenue,” he stressed.
Rizly thanked all for the support rendered for the game and looked forward to work as a family in order to get Sri Lanka back in to the Top three in Asia by 2013.
According to reliable source the Carlton Super Sevens will be worked off in May this year soon after the HSBC Asian Five Nations Tournament in Philippines. A week later the Caltex “A” division will be kicked off and will continue till end August. The shorter version of the game will kick off in Malaysia in the first week of September. Soon after this the Clifford Cup Knock out tournament will be worked in Kandy and Colombo.
In second week of September the Junior Rugby Asiad under 20 will take place with the hosts yet to be announced. The third week of September will see the Shanghai Sevens conducted and in October will be the Indian Sevens. The sevens series will come to an end in Singapore or early November. The Caltex league 2013 will kick off at the end of November. |
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