Sri Lanka Rugby’s High-Performance Manager Inthi Marikar has tendered his resignation, stepping down from his post with immediate effect.
The move comes with just 90 days to go for the Asian Games that is set to be played in Jakarta, Indonesia. Sri Lanka Rugby created the position of a High-Performance Manager in 2016 when they shifted focus primarily to the development in the sevens format.
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Under the guidance of Marikar, the Sri Lanka national sevens team finished 3rd at the end of the Asia Sevens Series. It’s fair to say that Sri Lanka’s climb in sevens in terms of development kickstarted with the introduction of Marikar, with the focus also shifting to the upliftment of the junior sevens contingents.
The junior teams went on to bring success to the country, winning the Asia Under 20 Sevens in 2016, becoming runners-up in the Under 20 Sevens in 2017 and also Asia Under 18 Sevens Championship in 2016.
Despite the progress made in the sevens, Marikar feels that there is a lack of effort from the administrators this year and is leaving the position out of frustration.
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“The men’s program has been halted after the Commonwealth Games. We have less than 90 days to prepare for the Asian Games and nothing has been done.”
“The women’s program has not been in place for the last few months as well” added Marikar citing reasons for his resignation.
Sri Lanka’s 2018 sevens season kicked off on a successful note with the Borneo Sevens where the Tuskers made it to a Cup semifinal and later the team had a rather satisfactory campaign at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.
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The Asia Games that will kick off in late August this year will feature sevens rugby and the Tuskers are in a good position for medal contention with the proper preparation.
