The management of the newly formed ‘A’ division rugby playing club Upcountry Lions is bound to shut down the club from this year, Ceylon Today reliably learns.
The Nawalapitiya-based club was formed in 2012 with the notion of giving more opportunity for rugby players in the country.
They contracted first class players and had managed to maintain their standing in domestic rugby seen by finishing fourth in the league standings and reaching the Clifford Cup knock-out semis during the last two years. They also managed to win the inter-club rugby sevens championship last year.
Losing a tough contender from the ‘A’ division tournament will create a huge impediment for the development programme of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) who is looking forward to take Sri Lanka rugby to the next level.
It is understood that a few players including two top Sri Lanka seven’s players Srinath Sooriyabandara and Nigel Ratwatte have already started their negotiation with domestic club champion team Navy SC and Havelocks for the next season, while a few other players are expected to cross over to the Kandy and Hambantota Sharks respectively.
During the last two years, two new Clubs Lions and Sharks had joined the ‘A’ division tournament and increased the number of clubs in the fray to ten. But, with Lions pulling out only nine clubs will remain in the league with Navy, Kandy, Havelock’s, CR and FC, CH and FC, Police, Army, Sharks and Air Force.
Ceylon Today also learns that the management of the club has scheduled to have a meeting on Wednesday to reach a final decision regarding the matter.
“Maybe the Club will continue with a different management,” said one of the club officials.
Sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage who is the main person behind the club has also scheduled to have a meeting with all Upcountry Lions players in the coming week.
