Lack of funds leave U20 tour in tatters

By Harsha Amarasinghe

Sri Lanka Under 20 rugby team faces the prospects of being unable to take part in the Asian Rugby 7’s Championship due to financial reasons.

A Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) official stated that they are facing some financial difficulties in sending the team to the tournament due to lack of funds from Ministry of Sports.

“This is a matter that we have been discussing with the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) and Ministry of Sports from last year. We requested the SLSRFA to come up with a plan and a budget so that we would work with that, but unfortunately as it stands the team’s participation is highly doubtful,” the SLR official said.

Many felt that Harin Fernando’s appointment as the Sports Minister would bring back the glory days for country’s rugby considering his love for St. Joseph’s College Rugby, but unfortunately Sri Lanka now find themselves in a situation where they may not be able to send Under 20 rugby team to defend the title that they won under the captaincy of Kevin Dixon few years ago.

“To be very honest the Minister has shown great interest in taking the game forward and there is a plan in place mapping out the plans and preparations until 2022, but the problem is whether that plan could help this tour,” added the official.

Daily Mirror also understands that a meeting between the representatives of Sports Ministry and SLR is due to take part today (30) in order to discuss this issue.