Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) conducted
its Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday from 9.30am via Zoom technology with
representatives from Asian Rugby (AR) joining in as observers.
The existing office-bearers, headed by SLR President Rizly
Illyas will continue to operate for another year as sports activities were
minimal throughout the country and even worldwide due to the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic.
“This is the first instance that the SLR AGM was held via Zoom
technology and the Ministry of Sports, through a circular authorised us to go
ahead due to the present situation in the country. As this is the second year
of the present SLR administration and the council elected in 2020, the same
will continue to operate in accordance to the constitution,” a press release
issued by SLR stated.
All these tournaments
have been planned to be held at the Racecourse ground in Colombo under strict
health measures. SLR’s objective, according to its President Rizly Illyas, is
based with an overarching goal of winning a medal at the Asian Games 2022.
“I feel a renewed
sense of confidence, hopefully with the blessings of the Minister of Sports,
Namal Rajapaksa and the Chairman of High Performance Committee Mahela
Jayawardene, that we will be able to commence our high performance programme
with our Men’s and Women’s players contracted year round for residential
training. The end goal is winning medals at the Commonwealth Games and the
Asian Games,” Illyas told the Sunday Times, following the AGM.
The AGM was followed
by a council meeting in which the possibilities and required necessities to
resume rugby and activate SLR’s short and long term goals were discussed. Rugby
activities, at all levels, have come to a standstill due to the rise in numbers
affected and deaths caused by the pandemic.
“We are confident to
resume rugby. Our goal is winning a medal at the Asian 7s Series and qualifying
for the Olympics in 2024 and World Series in 2026, through the strong high
performance programme,” Illyas added.
He elaborated that the
high performance programme will have a professional outlook with foreign
coaches and this will be the opening for the Inter-Club 7s to be played in
August and lead the way to prepare the Men’s and Women’s teams for the Asian
and Commonwealth Games of 2022 and the Dubai 7s, which will be held during
early December this year. “Julian Bolling, member of the Sports Council
appointed by the Sports Ministry is currently discussing with SLR Secretary
Jude Pillai in finalising the high performance programme,” he asserted.
In addition SLR has
drawn plans to rake in new sponsors through a tender process in the future.
SLR office-bearers |
|
·
President: Rizly Illyas ·
Deputy President: Nazeem Mohamed ·
Vice Presidents: Rear Admiral H.A.U.D. Hettiarachchi,
Susantha Mendis ·
Secretary: Jude Pillai ·
Treasurer: Dinesh Anthony Perera ·
Council Members: Rizly Illyas, Nazeem Mohamed, Rear
Admiral H.A.U.D. Hettiarachchi, Susantha Mendis, Jude Pillai, Dinesh Anthony
Perera (all office bearers), Fazal Mohamed, Roshan Deen, Jeevan Goonatileke,
SSP Neranjan Abeywardhana, Bandula Mallikarachchi, Pavithra Fernando, Pradeep
Basnayake, Mrs. Samantha Nanayakkara (all committee members) |
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