Sri Lanka Rugby celebrates International Women's Day in style

#BalanceforBetter

Sri Lanka Rugby together with SAGT (South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd), the proud sponsor of Women's Rugby in Sri Lanka, celebrated 'International Women's day' on March 2nd 2019. Women have given a lot to sport and Rugby over the years in Sri Lanka, and many more young girls are taking up the game. To mark this important day, SLR and SAGT joined hands to conduct a 'Training and Education' program for young up and coming women Rugby players.

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women's rights. After the Socialist Party of America organized a Women's Day on February 28, 1909 in New York, the 1910 International Socialist Woman's Conference suggested a Women's Day be held annually. After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there. The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted in 1975 by the United Nations.

Today, International Women's Day is a public holiday in some countries and largely ignored elsewhere. In some places, it is a day of protest; in others, it is a day that celebrates womanhood. The Campaign theme this year is 'balance for better'. The hash tag #BalanceforBetter is used all over the world to celebrate and highlight the importance of women to society.

The program held on 2^nd March, was conducted at the Sports Ministry Grounds in Colombo. Prominent Rugby coaches involved with rugby coaching conducted the program. This included Mr. Asela Deshapriya, Mr. Amila Chathuranga, Mr. Rohitha Rajapakse and Mr. Nilfer Ibrahim. 55 women participated in the program which was conducted successfully. New ideas, techniques, coaching skills, player management, and discipline among others were part of the training and development program.

Dignitaries from Sri Lanka Rugby and Sponsors SAGT were present at the occasion. This included President SLR - Mr. Lasitha Gunarathna,   Executive Director SLR - Rohan Gunarathna, Thilangani Warakagoda - Women's Rugby Committee Member SLR and Vishmi Thenuwara (SAGT).  The program was coordinated by SLR women's development officer Mrs. Thanuja Weerakkody.