Sri Lanka rugby team face crucial year ahead after Nepal Qualifiers

Sri Lanka’s Sevens rugby team faced disappointment in Nepal recently, finishing in third place in the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Tournament, the qualifiers for the Asian Rugby Championship. This result means that Sri Lanka will need to compete again next year to secure a spot in the 2026 Asian Rugby Championship.

For many years, Sri Lanka has been a consistent team in the Asian Rugby Championship. However, this year’s qualifiers were prompted by the ‘sudden drop’ in performance due to issues involving former sports officials and rugby administrators. The last time Sri Lanka played in the Asian Championship was in 2022, where they participated in the second and third rounds under the National Olympic Committee’s banner.

Led by captain Tharinda Ratwatte, the Sri Lankan team managed to win all their matches in the initial rounds in Nepal, including a key game against India. However, their journey ended in disappointment when they faced the Philippines in the final preliminary round, losing 19-12. Sri Lanka secured third place by defeating Uzbekistan with a score of 32-0.

In the women’s tournament, Sri Lanka, led by captain Randika Kumudumali, also faced challenges. The women’s team won only one match in the initial rounds but later claimed victory against Nepal and Uzbekistan in the final rounds to finish fifth in the tournament.

In this tournament, the Philippines emerged as the top team in both the men’s and women’s categories, qualifying for next year’s Asian Rugby Championship. As a result, both Sri Lankan teams will have to participate in the qualifying matches next year to secure a spot in the 2026 Asian Rugby Championship.

Despite the challenges, there is hope for the future. With better preparation and support, Sri Lanka’s rugby teams can aim to return to their previous glory and re-establish themselves as strong contenders in Asian rugby.

Source:Daily News