It will be spring time for Sri Lanka’s tea planning community when they kick off the much awaited Plantation Rugby Sevens on April 5 at the Dickoya-,Maskeliya Cricket Club (DMCC) in Hatton.
Organisers say13 plantation companies will contest the event they expect to draw the crowds at a carnival-like atmosphere that will not be second to any other rugby Sevens event in the country.
Sri Lankad”s tea plantation sector has made a significant contribution to the country’s sports welfare and sustenance in the past producing some illustrious rugby players in the mould of Lanil Tennakoon and Irwin Howie who played for the Tuskers wearing the Sri Lanka Elephant jersey.
“Our club has a rich history and one of our major events is in the form of the Plantation rugby Sevens,” said Lalindra Abewardena the president of DMCC at a media launch of the event held at the home of rugby at Longdon Place in Colombo on Monday.
Malwatte Valley will step in to defend the title along with Tallawakele, Kelani Valley, Elpitiya, Bogawanthalawa, Maturata, Maskeliya, Kotagala-Agrapatana Combine, Kegalle-Namunugamuwa Combine, Kahawatte and Hapugastenna-Udapussellawa.
Former Ananda College rugby player who is also a senior planter and sports promoter, Manjula Samarakoon, will be the tournament convener.
“The Plantation Sevens highlights its significance as a flagship sporting event for the plantation community.
“With a rich history spanning over 155 years, DMCC remains a hub for sports and entertainment for planters synonymous with hosting elite sports events including the Plantation Sevens”, said Samarakoon.
The Plantation Sevens have enticed Anysort Technologies Lanka Limited as the main sponsor and rights holder of the tournament and its Managing Director Pradeep Chakrawarthy graced the launch.
“We want to promote more planters to take up rugby especially school leavers to join the industry”, said Chakrawarthy.
Betty Li, the General Manager of overseas markets of Anysort along with the rest unveiled the Trophy the teams will play for.
