Women’s team to face China, Hong Kong and Malaysia OPPORTUNITY RATHER THAN CHALLENGE FOR SRI LANKA’S RUGBY WOMEN

BY RANIL PREMATILAKE

Sri Lanka Women’s Sevens squad, with a new captain, take wing to Dubai this evening on a mission which is more of an opportunity than a challenge. Led by 29-year old Dilani Pallikkondage the Sri Lankan team will feature in the pool ‘B’ round robin games with China, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Pool ‘A’ comprises Japan, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Philippines. The Lankan squad was bolstered with the news of former skipper Anusha Attanayake passing a last minute fitness test, which would add the much needed experience to a side that comprises a twenty year old in Umayangana Gamage and another couple of twenty one year olds in Nimesha Wijeyawardana and Nipuni Rasanjali.

Eleven of the twelve touring squad members comprise of players from the armed forces with Attanayake being the lone ranger from CR & FC. Training sessions at the biobubble secured Sugathadasa Sports Complex under the watchful eyes of consultant director coach Ben Gollings and coach Saliya Kumara though limited had been productive with able support from the three seniors. The story of Sri Lankan women’s rugby as at present is best explained on a deliberation of the synopsis of the career of skipper Pallikkondage. Hailing from Matara and educated at Mahara Ullala MV in Kamburupitiya, Matara, the boyish looking speedster first made it to the national pool in the year 2011 and an elbow injury the following year sidelines her till 2015, when she returns to the national side under the leadership Thanuja Weerakkody.

Thereon, Pallikkondage one of the seven Army SC players in the squad, has been a regular. Currently Sri Lanka is ranked fifth amongst the eight participating nations. The only realistic chance of recording a win in the group stage would be the Malaysia game. However, with no indication of squad strengths a win over China cannot be ruled out, although such possibility as one would say would be pushing our luck a bit too much. The top two finishers will be guaranteed qualification for the Rugby World Cup 7’s in 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. The Skipper and her team are quite mindful that this weekend’s exposure to international rugby is to be best used as an opportunity and a learning curve rather than an attempt to launch a challenge on Rugby World Cup qualification.