By Susil Premalal

COLOMBO, Nov 25 (Daily Mirror) - The Nippon Paint Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) and sponsored by Nippon Paint Lanka will kick-off on December 1 in Colombo.

A total of eight teams will compete in the Men’s Tournament while a total of four teams will be vying for honours in the Women’s Tournament.

The Men’s Tournament will kick-off with the curtain-raiser match between Havelock SC and Air Force SC on December 1 at Havelock Park at 6.30 p.m.

The tournament will be concluded on January 21 with matches to be worked off at Havelock Park, Racecourse Grounds, Ratmalana, Panagoda, Longden Place, Nittawela Grounds, Welisara and Police Park.

Kandy SC, the reigning league champions are the top seeds followed by CR and FC, Navy SC, Havelock SC, Air Force SC, Police SC, Army SC and CH and FC.

Meanwhile, Army SC, Navy SC, Air Force SC and CR and FC will participate in the Women’s League Tournament.

These details were revealed by SLR President (Elect) Group Captain (Ret) Nalin de Silva and Nemantha Abesighne (General Manager), Nippon Paint during a media briefing held at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Ministry of Sports in Colombo yesterday.

Speaking at the occasion Abeysinghe said that they are proud to be associated with this tournament as the sponsors for the third successive year.

Meanwhile, De Silva said that all arrangements are underway to conduct a successful tournament after SLR administration was cleared by World Rugby, Asia Rugby and the Ministry of Sports.