Historic win for Royal Tuskers at Dubai Rugby 7s
View(s):In a remarkable turnaround from last year’s performance, the Royal Tuskers, representing Royal College’s Old Boys in the UAE, secured the Plate championship in the Gulf Men’s Social category at the 2024 Emirates Dubai Rugby 7s. The tournament, held at the iconic International Sevens Stadium in Dubai, attracted thousands of spectators across three days of intense competition.
The Tuskers demonstrated exceptional improvement from their debut last year, where they faced several defeats, to now winning all but one match this season. Their campaign culminated in a commanding 28-17 victory over Warriors Barbarians in the Plate final, following impressive wins against DITH Barrelhouse Barbarians by 26-7 in the quarter-finals and Blue Falcons Rugby Club by 28-12 in the semi-finals.
The victorious Royal Tuskers, who claimed a title in their first international appearance
“This victory belongs to everyone who supported us throughout our journey,” said Royal Tuskers skipper Dayan Diddeniya.
“The tremendous backing from our sponsors, the unwavering support of our fans, and the dedication of our manager, coaching staff, players and the ORUAE Committee have made this historic achievement possible. We’ve shown what Sri Lankan rugby talent can achieve on an international stage,” he added, following the jubilant triumph.
The victorious Royal Tuskers squad consisted of skipper Dayan Diddeniya, Arshad Jamaldeen as vice captain, Chamara Dabare, Janidu Dilshan, Hasantha Mihidukulasuriya, Dulara Danusha, Naleesha Hettiarachchi, Yaaseen Yusuf, Dickson Anthony, Dinusha Lakshitha, Akbo Perera and Hashan Maduranga. Under the guidance of team manager Uthpala Ranatunga, coach Jason Brown, and fitness coach Sudesh Rohana Thennakoon, the team showcased remarkable improvement in their gameplay and strategy. Vice captain Arshad Jamaldeen’s leadership skills also proved crucial in their success.
The President of Old Royalists in the UAE (ORUAE), Shihan Sheriff expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement: “This victory represents more than just a sporting success, it’s a testament to the Royal College spirit and the dedication of our alumni community in the UAE. The Royal Tuskers have set a new standard for school alumni teams competing and winning internationally”.
“This win reflects months of rigorous preparation and unwavering commitment from every member. The team showed exceptional dedication from our weekly training sessions to detailed tactical planning. This victory isn’t just about the competition, it’s about proving that with proper preparation and unity, Sri Lankan rugby can compete at international standards,” ORUAE Patron Danika Gamage lauded the historic achievement.
The team’s success was made possible through the strong support of their sponsorship network that included principal sponsor Spider Plus Construction Equipment Trading, alongside main sponsor IMM Consult and co-sponsor Tap Tap Send. Additional backing came from Thambapanni Restaurants, Lion Beer, and ORUAE platinum sponsor Siraj Finance.
The Royal Tuskers’ victory marks them as the first Sri Lankan school alumni team to achieve such a significant international rugby tournament success, setting a new benchmark for school alumni teams in global competitions.