Newly-elected Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President Pavithra Fernando says that his new Council is looking to kick off the 2025026 Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament by mid-November.
When inquired by The Daily Morning Sports, he stated that they have proposed to commence the League by mid next month, and then conclude it by February next year.
According to the former national skipper, soon after the completion of the League competition, the Clifford Cup Knock-Out Tournament, will begin in early March, and conclude by the middle of that month.
He said that they were yet in the process of finalising the sponsors for the main League and Clifford Cup tourneys, and assured that once the sponsors are lined up, the media will be duly informed.
Kandy SC will start the major domestic rugby tournaments as reigning champions, having regained both the League and Knockout titles in the 2024-25 season under full back Srinath Sooriyabandara.
Besides Kandy SC, CR and FC, CH and FC, Havelocks SC, Police SC, Army SC, Air Force SC, Navy SC and last season’s newcomers Sri Lions SC, made up the line up of clubs which contested last year’s twin tournaments.
At the end of the League first-round, Kandy, CR, Havies and Army, qualified to contest the Cup segment in the second-round.
CH, Police, Air Force, Navy and Sri Lions, were then relegated to vie for the Plate title, which was won by the men from the Gymkhana Club.
It was not immediately clear as to whether the new SLR Council would follow the same format for the League as was done in the preceding seasons.
However, according to an informed source, the format utilised for the past few seasons will not be discontinued for the time being, as it is far more competitive and offers the spectators quality rugby throughout the season.
It is also reliably learnt that the new SLR Council would shortly appoint its Tournament Committee, to oversee the successful conduct of the two club rugby tournaments.
Fernando-the ex-Royal and CR and FC captain cum flanker, was elected as the President of SLR at its disputed Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Sports Ministry premises on Wednesday (8), when he saw off his challenger Lasitha Gunarathne by 36 votes to 18.
Alongside Fernando, the new faces in the SLR Council includes Secretary Subash Jayathilaka, Treasurer Neomal Ekanayaka, Deputy President Shanitha Fernando, Vice President Chinthaka Perera, Female Representative Thilini Rangani and Athlete representative Stephen Gregory, respectively.
But, the immediate task for the new SLR Council will be staging the final leg of the 24-team Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens series from 18-19 October at the Racecourse Grounds, Colombo.
The Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens which is hosted by Sri Lanka for the first time since 2017, will feature Men’s teams from Japan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Singapore, the UAE, Thailand, the Philippines, India, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
The competing Women’s teams will be from Japan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Singapore, the UAE, Thailand, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, South Korea and Sri Lanka.