While Rio De Janeiro will be witnessing rugby sevens for the first time at the Olympic Games, Sri Lanka will be having their own blend of exquisite sevens action as the first ever edition of the Sri Lanka Super 7s will kick off this Friday at the Racecourse Complex.
Eight franchise teams will lock horns in the exciting competition that will feature both local and foreign talent. The Super 7s Series that will span for the duration of two weekends was officially launched yesterday (3rd) at Hotel Kingsbury in the presence of dignitaries, franchise teams and officials.
Photo Album – Sri Lanka Super 7s 2016 Launch
The Super Sevens Series was launched in the presence of the Hon. Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure Harin Fernando who has played a key role in making the international tournament a reality. Other dignitaries present at the occasion were the Hon. Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake, Hon. Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardena and Hon. Minister of Development Strategies and Industrial Trade Malik Samarawickrema along with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union officials.
Hon. Minister Harin Fernando mentioned that this initiative will be looked at to take Sri Lanka Rugby forward.
“Rugby is more than a lifestyle, it is in their blood. What we need to do is to take rugby at least closer to cricket. Cricket is the biggest sport in Sri Lanka and rugby has not reached there yet. Our biggest aim is to reach at least semi-professional level and tournaments like this will take it there.”
The overseas player draft for the teams saw each team getting the chance to sign up three overseas players for their franchise teams. Representatives from England, South Africa, Samoa and Fiji compile the overseas representation and many of the individuals are no strangers to Sri Lankan franchise rugby. The Sri Lanka national sevens coach Matthew Turner will take up a player-coach role in the Access Kings team while former Navy player Setefano Cakaunivalu will be representing the Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel Eagles.
Sri Lanka’s premier sports promoter Dialog Axiata PLC will be the proud sponsors of the first edition of the Sri Lanka Super 7s and the crystal official trophy for the tournament was unveiled and presented by the Group CEO for Dialog Axiata Dr. Hans Wijyasuriya and Group Chief Marketing Officer for Dialog Axiata Amali Nanayakkara.
The eight teams who were clad in the traditional sarong dazzled the audience with their respective team performances adding glamour to the event.
Along with Dialog Axiata, Singer Sri Lanka will be the platinum sponsors for the Sri Lanka Super 7s. Commercial Credit PLC, Sri Lanka Insurance, Huawei, Union Bank, Mobil and Huawei will empower the Super 7s as Gold Sponsors. The silver sponsors for the event will be Peoples Bank, LOLC, NSB and Prime Lands.
The live action from the Super 7s will be brought to you live from the Racecourse grounds on the 5th 12.50 p.m. onwards on ThePapare.com while on Saturday(6th), the live telecast will commence at 1.15 p.m.
