Sri Lanka women’s team head coach Sudath Sampath said they will be aiming for a top-four finish at the three-leg Asia Rugby Sevens Series which begins with the Korea tournament on August 31 and September 1 at the Namdong Asiad Stadium, Incheon, South Korea.
The women’s segment will have teams participating from Japan, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Sri Lanka who were placed fifth last year.
“We played against Hong Kong, Malaysia and Japan on the first day. It is a tough challenge but our target is to beat Hong Kong to give ourself a chance of finish among the top four,” said Sampath, a former Sri Lanka scrum half who has several experienced campaigners in the 12-member squad including skipper Sanju Wijetilleke who is a product of Mahamaya Girls School, Hikkaduwa.
“We lost a key player Charani Liyanage due to injury and we are hoping she will recover. The confidence of the players is very high boosted by the presence of three past captains in the side - Thanuja Weerakkody, Ayesha Perera and Randika Kumudumali,” he added.
“We have an experienced squad who have played together for a long time. The relative newcomers in the squad are prop Nimesha Wijewardena, 20, the youngest member of the squad, and winger Jeewanthi Gunawardena. One of our key players is Army winger Dulani Pallikkondange,” said skipper Wijetilleke.
Nimesha of Dehiowita National School has been playing rugby for the past four years, achieving the distinction of captaining the Sri Lanka under 18 team at the Asian Sevens Series in Dubai in 2016.
Jeewanthi has made giant strides since she started playing rugby at Air Force two and half years ago.
Former Sri Lanka three quarter Ted Hiran Muttiah gave a brief motivational speech to the players at a dinner hosted at the CR and FC before the team’s departure to South Korea on Tuesday.
“It is not my dinner but hosted by a group of well wishers. I think it is very important for you to know that there are other people who also want to see women’s rugby do very well in Sri Lanka. There are a lot of people who want you to be successful,” said the former Royal and CR fly half who is Chief Operational Officer at SAGT, the principal of Sri Lanka women’s rugby.
“The CR and FC women’s rugby team were also invited mainly to get a sense of the occasion. To represent Sri Lanka is very special. Enjoy the moment, enjoy the game and play for each other,” said Muttiah thanking SAGT for coming on board five years ago.
“We don’t do lot of sport sponsorship but we are delighted to come and support the women’s team. The best thing you can do for sponsors is to have success. You are setting the foundation for Sri Lanka women’s rugby. You have come a long way but you all know when you play other teams, you have a long way to go. So keep your chins up but play for each other,” he said extolling the virtues of team work.
Sri Lanka Women’s Rugby tour squad: Sanjeewani Wijetilleke (captain), Ayesha Kaluarachchi (vice captain), Thanuja Weerakkody, Anusha Athanayake, Randika Kumudumali, Ayesha Perera, Dulani Pallikkondange, Wasana Weerakkody, Shanika Madumali, Nimesha Wijewardena, Jeewanthi Gunawardena, Dasuni de Silva. Manager: Rupika Jayasinghe, Coach: Sudath Sampath, Assistant coach: Upali Wickramasinghe, Physio: Ruwani Deepika, Trainer: Dilan Soyza.
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