The Asia Rugby Federation (ARF) chief Qais Al Dhalai commended Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa for the timely appointment of the Rugby Advisory Committee (RAC) headed by Asanga Seneviratne, when speaking to Daily News Sports in an interview recently.
“Iam glad that minister Namal took a wise decision to appoint a committee consisting of very experienced and capable people to support and rejuvenate the game in Sri Lanka. This was a much needed and timely one for the betterment of the game.”
“We know few decades back Sri Lanka was a dominant force both in the fifteens and sevens rugby arena in Asia. But unfortunately it declined for reasons known by them. But as the regional governing body, we have to support them in whatever possible endeavours which we have and will continue to so.
I think they have got the right person as the Sports Minister who himself has been a former player and a great rugby loving person. It is high time that the rugby administrators should revolve around him and seek his blessings and support to restart the game in the tiny Island of the Indian ocean.’ commented Al Dhalai.
AlDhalai made the above comments and was very optimistic that the Lankan tuskers will bounce back to regain the past glory especially in the sevens arena. He hopes that they will put up a better show in the upcoming sevens (men and women) tournament scheduled to kick off later this month in Dubai.
“There was time where Sri Lanka was good in both for (15 and &7’s). But with more countries having taken up handling the oval shaped ball in the region, which at present has attracted 35 countries. I am pretty confident Sri Lanka could reach the pinnacle in our region with a proper vision followed with a well-executed plan.” Al Dhalai further added.
The Sports Minister has included some players who donned the national jersey for the country and the rest who are experienced in the game in various aspects which has the right combination to boost the game to next level in conjunction with the governing body the Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR).
“We are glad to see the composition of this eight-member committee which includes former players, and persons serving in the world rugby educators panel, the incumbent president, some rugby administrators and the all-important chairman who is also a former sportsman who has a vast knowledge of the game also is vastly experienced in administration.” concluded Al Dhalai.
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