Sri Lanka to play under OCA Flag in Asian Games Rugby 7s

By Harsha Amarasinghe

Sri Lanka rugby stars are set to take part in the Asian Games Rugby 7s under the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia after Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) failed to register the team for the initial draw.

Asia Rugby (AR), in a statement, explained the decision to allow Sri Lankan players to take part in the event.

“Due to the suspension of Sri Lanka Rugby by World Rugby, the Sri Lanka men’s team is not able to compete at the Asian Games. Considering this, the Asia Rugby Executive Committee made a thoughtful decision to allow Sri Lankan athletes to compete under the OCA flag. Numerous meetings and discussions were held between Asia Rugby, the Sri Lanka National Olympic Committee (NOCSL), and the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs in Sri Lanka to ensure that these athletes wouldn’t miss out on an event that occurs only once every four years,” the statement reads.

However, the Sri Lankan players will not be able to represent the country as per the agreement.

“The Sri Lankan athletes will compete under the OCA flag. The team will wear the OCA’s colours, which are white, yellow, and orange. The team will participate in the opening ceremony under the OCA banner and will not be part of any NOC contingent. In the event that the OCA Rugby 7s team secures a medal, the OCA anthem will be played during the medal presentation,” the statement further reveals.

On the other hand, Adam Gauder is set to play for the Sri Lankan side, which will represent the OCA, while Srinath Sooriyabandara and Chathura Seneviratne are likely to miss out on taking part due to personal reasons, with Kavindu de Costa and Raveen de Silva set to be named as replacements.