Asia Rugby has announced its Emirates Match Officials Panels for the year 2025 and we are delighted to say that a couple of Sri Lanka rugby referees have been included in the panel bringing pride to the rugby crazy island nation.
The selection had been done from three categories namely the Elite Panel, Talent Identification Panel and TMO Panel. Referees from Japan, Hong Kong, UAE and Singapore represent the majority of the panels.
The Elite Panel includes the region’s top referees selected for their outstanding performance and expertise. Former Nugawela Central Rugby Player and leading Sri Lankan Rugby Referee Ishanka Abeykoon made Sri Lanka proud by securing his place for yet another year in the Elite Panel of Rugby Asia. Isanka, who is still young, possesses vast rugby refereeing experience for more than a decade. He is renowned for delivering accurate decisions during even tense situations and in nail biting games by absorbing all the pressure.
The Talent Identification Panel (TID) focuses on scouting and nurturing emerging referees in Asian Region. Old Vidyarthiyan Raveen Alexander managed to secure his position in Asia Rugby Talent Identification panel for yet another year. Raveen Alexander is one of the reliable match officiates in the island who was frequently given the responsibility to officiate crucial games even during the recently concluded Inter-Club Rugby League and Knockout Tournaments.
However, a few Sri Lankan Referees who were part of the TID panel in the previous year were unlucky as they were not picked up to this year’s TID panel.
The Television Match Officials (TMO) Panel is responsible for ensuring accurate decision-making through video technology and there isn’t any representation from Sri Lanka.
Asia Rugby Vice President and Chairperson of the Referees Committee, Mr Rizwan Malik (Pakistan), delivered that
“The Asia Rugby Referees Committee, in collaboration with the Selection & Appointments Panel (SAP), has worked diligently to identify and appoint the most qualified match officials for the Asia Rugby 2025 Panel. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all those selected and wish them the very best of luck for what promises to be an exciting and action-packed season ahead.”
Asia Rugby Match officials Manager and most experienced former rugby referee from Sri Lanka Dilroy Fernando made a statement on selections that,
“Asia Rugby remains committed to enhancing the quality and consistency of officiating across all levels of the game. The 2025 panels reflect a diverse group of talented individuals prepared to uphold the highest standards of officiating throughout the continent.”
Asia Rugby Elite Panel – 2025
- Hibiki Ikeda (F) (Japan)
- Sunny Lee Chui (F) (Hong Kong China)
- Christabelle Lim (F) (Singapore)
- Ibuki Tetsuka (M) (Japan)
- Qu Shanggang (M) (China)
- Lin Wei Ming Sonny Lin (M) (Chinese Taipei)
- Tetsuya Hirakawa (M) (Japan)
- Leow Wei Liang (M) (Singapore)
- Craig Chan (M) (Hong Kong China)
- Francesco Cammisa (M) (Hong Kong China)
- Ishanka Abeykoon (M) (Sri Lanka)
- Top Dechdanai (M) (Thailand)
- Aymen Jrichi (M) (Saudi Arabia)
- Morgan White (M) (Hong Kong China)
- Ano Kuwai (M) (Japan)
- Katsuki Furuse (M) (Japan)
- J.P. Clement (M) (United Arab Emirates)
- Jaco De Wit (M) (United Arab Emirates)
- James Fairbourn (M) (United Arab Emirates)
- Koki Yamamuchi (M) (Japan)
- Takehito Namekawa (M) (Japan)
- Wang Zheng Just (M) (Singapore)
- Shane Barr (M) (Hong Kong China)
- Matthew Rodden (M) (Hong Kong China)
Asia Rugby Talent Identification Panel (TID) – 2025
- Mohamed Adeeb Bin Afendy (M) (Malaysia)
- Miku Tashiro (F) (Japan)
- Niu Yuru (F) (China)
- Priya Baisla (F) (India)
- Ivy Kwong (F) (Hong Kong China)
- Lorence Ishuga (M) (Korea)
- Rikito Nobuhara (M) (Japan)
- Thomas Ngan Chun (M) (Hong Kong China)
- Teruki Inanishi (M) (Japan)
- Alice Chenzhuo (F) (China)
- Raveen Alexander (M) (Sri Lanka)
- Adeline Chew (F) (Singapore)
Asia Rugby TMO Panel – 2025
- Tasuku Kawahara (M) (Japan)
- Simon Dodds (M) (United Arab Emirates)
- Taku Otsuki (M) (Japan)
- Tony Duminy (M) (United Arab Emirates)
- Shane Barr (M) (Hong Kong China)
- Matthew Rodden (M) (Hong Kong China)
- Wang Zheng Just (M) (Singapore)
M – Male F – Female
