Rugby to resume with Dialog Inter-Club Tourney

The Dialog Inter-Club Rugby Tournament will herald the return of competitive rugby to the country. Eight leading clubs including defending champions Kandy SC who beat CR 24-12 in the Cup finals will vie for honours in this tournament.

Other participating clubs will be CH and FC, Sri Lanka Army SC, CR & FC, Sri Lanka Air Force SC, Sri Lanka Navy SC, Havelock SC and Sri Lanka Police SC.

Sri Lanka Rugby is in a hurry to get rugby back to its feet with the blessings of Sports Minister and health authorities.

Sri Lanka Rugby will abide by the health regulations and will conduct workshops to educate rugby fraternity to assure a safe environment.

No rugby committee in this country has ever submitted a comprehensive proposal like the present SLR proposal. Following criteria will adhere in resuming rugby in the country.

Club Identification: 20 players to a team and to be reduced to 15 players, five officials per team.

Abide by the health regulations and Covid free approach: All clubs are to be in line with SLR COVID-19 guidelines. Tournament to be played with no spectators and will be telecast live.

1st Cluster: Clubs allowed to commence practices with a negative PCR test report and by ensuring home quarantine health guidelines for 21 days and three PCR tests.

2nd Cluster: Clubs to enter the Sri Lanka rugby tournament cluster with a negative PCR test report where SLR will do two PCR tests and retain players in quarantine by providing food and lodging with practice facilities until the tournament is over (16 days). A total of five PCR tests to be carried out during the bubble period. Referees, medical, administrative and supporting staff also to follow the same procedure.

Clubs Responsibilities: Quarantine procedures: Health guidelines by respective clubs for practicing period of 21 days. Strict home quarantine, using only personal/club transport and no public transport. Grounds and the clubs to be patronized only by the selected 25 players and the officials. Three PCR tests to be done (1st test - Day before the commencement. 2nd test on the seventh day. Third test on the 14th day). All negative PCR reports to be submitted to Sri Lanka Rugby.

Responsibilities: Quarantine procedures as per the COVID-19 health guidelines by SLR for practicing period of 14 days. Strict personal quarantine as clubs using only official pre-arranged transport to the grounds and accommodation areas will be allocated for participants, two Clubs will be allocated with a ground/gym to be used in separate timings. Each club will be accommodated separately, Two PCR tests to be done (1st test - day of the commencement, 2nd test on the 11th day), After obtaining all negative PCR reports only the tournament will commence after completion of 35 days of quarantine, five PCR negative results. If detected for COVID -19 during the first 21 Days at club cluster then the particular player will not be allowed to take part in the tournament.

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