Presenting the sponsorship: From Left: Tanivr Ahmed - Deputy HC of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Major General Umar Farooq Burki - The high commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Rizly Illyas - SLR President, Rear Admiral H. A. U. D. Hettiarachchi – SLR Vice President.
Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) has struck a deal with the High Commission of Pakistan to run its domestic rugby tournaments. Pakistan threw its weight behind rugby at a time when Sri Lanka rugby needed a sponsor for domestic rugby in Sri Lanka.
Rugby in Sri Lanka has a rich history of nearly 150 years old, but it doesn’t have to be a loser when it comes to finding a sponsor. Sri Lanka Rugby somehow managed to rope in Pakistan, who has come on board to sponsor SLR Provincial Development Tournament.
The sponsor (high Commission of Pakistan) came in at a time when the world of sports was slowly opening up after the worst phase of the Covid -19 pandemic. The fact Pakistan decided to come on board following an invitation by SLR president Rizly Illyas, should be hailed. Sport builds trust and rugby has the credentials to go beyond trust and look at lasting relationships. That was one factor that helped the two countries to come together and form a partnership within a short period of negotiating. Rugby is an expensive sport and receives the patronage of a rich community.
Unlike other sports rugby gets its fair share of media attention. Now the SLR must try to rope in Pakistan to sponsor Sri Lanka national rugby as well. There are huge prospects for a sponsor for getting involved in national rugby because Sri Lanka contests the Asian Sevens Series and the Asian Rugby Tournament. Apart from that Sri Lanka is a popular rugby team in Asian region as well
SLR President Rizly Illyas speaking to the Daily News said "On behalf of Sri Lanka Rugby, I welcome you to the Press Briefing of Sri Lanka Rugby Provincial Development Tournament Sponsored for the first time by the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka. It’s indeed a wonderful memory to refresh the ties of the game of Rugby between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Also following rugby culture between our two countries which commenced in 1952 and Ceylon Rugby Football Union hosted the prestigious all India Rugby tournament in Colombo where Karachi Rugby Football Union lost to Ceylon Barbarians. While the first 7's Tournament All Ceylon team lost to the Karachi team in Calcutta. I would take this opportunity to humbly thank Major General Umar Farooq Burki - The high commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka for coming forward to support the game of Rugby in Sri Lanka for the first time with a sponsorship for the Provincial Development tournaments. Out of the 8 Provincial Unions, we have planned to conduct 4 development tournaments in the coming months with this sponsorship in selected districts.
Recently, one of the greatest achievements for Pakistan Rugby was beating Thailand to qualify for the second division Asia Rugby Championship at the Punjabi Stadium in Pakistan.
As this is great news to us, we are hopeful and looking forward to a South Asia Triangular Tournament between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India soon. We believe that Sports always connect people. As you may all know, Rugby is the most popular sport after Cricket; this is a great opportunity that the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka has come forward to fund the SLR provincial development tournament where it will surely help for better standards of the Game of Rugby in Sri Lanka. Also we appreciate the Pakistan Rugby Union Chairman Mr. Fawzi Khawaja, President Mr. Arif Saeed and the Secretary Mr. Salman Muzaffer Shaikh. I trust that this cordial relationship between two countries and unions will continue in future too" concluded Illyas.
Speaking to Daily News H.E Major General Umar Farooq Burki said “ The high commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, said “Helping and reaching out to the people in Sri Lanka is our main goal. We have had a prospering relationship with the two nations for a long time.
Lot of people ask me why I am sponsoring rugby, I would like to tell you that when I go for my morning walk I see a lot of young people playing rugby and they have so much passion for rugby. That’s the main reason why I thought of sponsoring Sri Lanka rugby” Concluded Farook Burki.
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