St. Joseph’s scrum down against Kingswood in the season opener

Dialog Schools Rugby League kicks off today

After a lapse of over two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka’s blue-ribbon school’s rugby tourney, the ‘Dialog Schools Rugby League’ will kick off today with the Division I encounter between St. Joseph’s and Kingswood at the Havelock Sports Club, Colombo.

The 2020 season of Dialog Schools Rugby League was cut short after three weeks of play due to the pandemic, while the 2021 season was cancelled due to the lockdown imposed by the Ministry of Health.

In the much-awaited Division 1 segment A of the Dialog School’s Rugby League, the top 12 teams will play 34 matches in a shortened season due to the Advance Level exams. The Dialog School’s Rugby Knock Out Tournament will kick off eight weeks later at an independent venue organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA).

Division 1 segment A consists of Royal College, Colombo, St. Peter’s College, Colombo, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, Wesley College, Colombo, S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, Isipatana College, Colombo, Trinity College, Kandy, Science College, Mount Lavinia, Kingswood College, Kandy, Vidyartha College, Kandy, St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota and Dharmaraja College, Kandy.

A further 24 more schools will compete under the categories of Division 1 Segment B and C, while another 40 schools will compete in Division 2 and Division 3 to secure the top position in their respective group.

Royal, who emerged champions during the last three seasons, will be one of the top contenders, along with St. Peter’s, Isipatana, S. Thomas’ and Trinity.

“We are pleased for the decision taken by the SLSRFA to conduct the 2022 season of the Dialog Schools Rugby League and Knock Out tourneys which is one of the most looked forward to events in the school’s sports calendar,” Harsha Samaranayake, Senior General Manager – Brand and Media of Dialog Axiata said. “School’s tourneys are close at heart to the ethos of Dialog of developing the champions of tomorrow who will bring glory to our motherland. I wish the tourney for a successful season.”

B. A. Abeyrathana, President, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association said, “After a lapse of nearly two years Sri Lanka’s rugby community can witness the best of School’s Rugby live on the playing fields.”

“In these unprecedented times we live in, I’m indeed thankful for school’s rugby sponsors, Dialog Axiata for continuing with their promise to give their full corporate backing to the tourney. I wish all teams a fruitful 2022 season.”

As the principal sponsor, Dialog Axiata has made arrangements to live stream the matches via thepapare.com, Dialog VIU mobile app and will also be shown live on Dialog TV Channel 140 in the interest of all present boys, old boys, parents, supporters, well-wishers and the Rugby-loving public.

Dialog Axiata is the proud sponsor of the Sri Lanka National Cricket, Volleyball, Netball and Esports teams. The company also has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, Premier Football and Paralympic sports by powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games and the Sri Lankan contingent to the World Paralympic Games.