Sri Lanka School Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) pulled a rabbit from under the hat at a meeting held yesterday with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) and Sport Minister, by stating that Singer had secured sponsorship of the Schools Rugby League for Rs 36 million.
Previously the SLSRFA had stated that Singer had come up with a sponsorship package of Rs 10m for the school union and this disclosure of Rs 36M at the meeting is said to have taken everyone by surprise.
A conflict was set forth when SLRFU suspended the schools knock-out tournament stating that the SLSRFA were not working to a structured plan to ensure minimizing issues and taking into account development of the junior levels of Rugby. The matter was then taken to higher court with President Mahinda Rajapakse intervening and instructing that the tournament be allowed to go ahead, but also that both unions must work together for the betterment of rugby.
To this end the SLRFU had secured an astounding sponsorship of Rs 36 million and wished the SLSRFA to work with them on the matter.
In their proposal, the SLRFU has made a pledge in the sum of Rs 500,000 for the 12 schools in the division 1 Group A category, Rs 200,000 for Group B, and Rs 100,000 for Group C. They have further pledged amounts between Rs 75,000- Rs 50,000 each for the Division 2 schools and Rs 25,000 for the 30 schools in Division 3.
Added benefits put forth by the SLRFU included a total of 2000+ balls for schools of all 3 divisions and 1000 balls to the Rugby Development programme of the Ministry of Education.
Other training equipment in the way of speed ladders, training cones, hit shields etc had also been included for schools of all 3 divisions. Jerseys and tags for rugby training have also been allocated for divisions 2 and 3.
The proposal by the SLRFU also includes U 20 National training and tour expenses and U 20 Asian Sevens training and expenses etc.
All schools tournaments to be conducted within IRB regulations and standards including citing officers etc to be included for more discipline within the competing schools were also part of the SLRFU plan.
However, after yesterday’s revelations where the SLSRFA stated that the deal has already been signed with Singer and the large sponsorship secured for the Schools league, the SLRFU has withdrawn their involvement with the schools tournament though they will lend support to any development plans.
When the ThePapare.com contacted Mr. Susantha Mendis, Secretary SLSRFA he stated that it has been all sort out.
