Nilfer Appointed National U20 Sevens Coach

Champion coach Nilfer Ibrahim has been appointed as the national U20 sevens coach. Former Kingswood, Kandy SC and the national cap was given the opportunity yet again after he was in charge of the national U19, XV's in 2016. The Asian U20 sevens will be played in Hong Kong on the 10th & 11th of August

Ibrahim needs no introduction in the coaching arena as he has been one of the most successful in the island. He was instrumental as a coach during his tenure at Isipathana College from 2014 - 2016 and went on to win the triple championship in 2014, the League runner-up in 2015 and signed off with the league title in 2016.

Before Joining Isipathana College Ibrahim was the head coach at Trinity College where Neil Footy (New Zealand) was in charge as a consultant. Trinity became three time finalist in the President Trophy from (2011-2013), winning only in 2011.

Ibrahim has been at the helm, transforming St. Joseph's from being amid-table team to go on to win their first piece of silverware in 2017, wining the President Trophy. In addition to this St. Joseph's finished second in the schools league this year (2018) and added one more trophy to their cabinet by winning the all island schools sevens beating Royal College in the finals yesterday (8th July).

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) secretary Nazeem Mohamed said "We know that Nilfer has done a wonderful job in the recent past and we are not hesitant to give him the task.

"Sri Lanka made history by winning the Asian U20 Sevens Series in 2016 and we became second best last year, so we are extremely confident Nilfer will guide Sri Lanka to bring the trophy home next month, Nilfer has coached Sri Lanka senior men and we believe he is the right man for this job." he said.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim said "I was waiting for this opportunity for so long and i'm extremely happy that Sri Lanka Rugby invited me once again.

"Our junior talent is always good it's a matter of guiding them to play to their strength in this short format (7's).

"hopefully we will start our initial trials by next week and some of the players who played last year also has the chance since this is U20 tournament, that will make our team stronger."