Rugby Returns to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will see the return of the first rugby match in over a year, as Colombo Hockey and Football Club (known as CH & FC) is set to play Air Force with two friendly matches in August 2021. 

The last rugby game to take place in Sri Lanka, before the COVID pandemic halted all rugby in the country, took place in March 2020.

“We need to get the sport restarted, and that is the reason why we are getting this up. CH & FC and Air Force are taking the initiative”, said an official from CH & FC reported The Papare.

The players are training in a bubble and will remain so until the matches take place. The two popular rugby clubs in Sri Lanka will play the invitational friendly matches on August 13 2021 at the Maligapitiya Stadium Kurunegala, followed by a second match on August 20 2021 at Ratmalana.

Both clubs are Division A teams in Sri Lanka. The CH & FC rugby club debuted in 1879 playing their first-ever match against a World XV team. The Air Force team has their roots in the 1960s.

Sri Lanka Rugby 2021

The incumbent President of SLR Rizly Illyas announced in May 2021, that he will continue in his position for a second term. This followed the cancellation of the SLR elections in 2021 due to the pandemic and lack of rugby played in the past 18 months.

In 2020, it was rumoured a new SLR ground was going to be developed while in 2021, EFL has signed on to sponsor Sri Lanka Rugby Women’s 7s and U24 Men’s teams.

Rugby in Asia 2021

• Asia Rugby 2021 Tournaments.
• New Rugby Tournaments to Watch 2021-2022.
• Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2021 Cancelled.
• Emirates Dubai Rugby 7s 2021 Going Ahead.