Lanka Lions out to regain crown at Dubai Rugby Sevens
Former champions of the Gulf Open tournament at the Dubai Sevens Rugby tournament Lanka Lions are determined to regain the title they won in 1998, 2001 and 2015. The world famous tournament will be held at the sevens ground in Dubai from December 2 to 4.
Dubai-based Lanka Lions is proud to announce the representation of former national players from Sri Lanka and the UAE. Former Sri Lanka and Arabian Gulf scrum half Roger Rodrigo is the live wire behind Lanka Lions Rugby Club. The former Isipathana star represented Havelocks and Police until 1989.
Another former national player Afzal Mohamed, a product of Kingswood College, Kandy, is also representing the Lanka Lions this year. Former Trinity college scrum half Imad Riyal who has also represented the UAE is part of the current Lanka Lions rugby squad, will thrive to showcase his experience and talent in this tournament.
Lanka Lions Rugby Club will field two teams this year in the Men’s Open and Men’s Socal segments. Fourth year player Adil Deen will captain Lanka Lions in the Men’s Open while Srinath Jayasuriya leads the team in the Men’s Social. Both senior players of Lanka Lions rugby have placed heaps of hard work rallying and bonding their respective teams for the tournament.
The Lanka Lions team in the Men’s Open is packed with immense talent including former Sri Lanka school players such as former Kingswoodian Tharindu Oshada, former Trinitians Dilshan Kelaniyagoda and Anojan Balasundaram, and newcomer Shazard Deen who represented Dubai English College. This year the team is studded with Fijians to add power. The team in the Men’s Social too have some great talent in the format of stalwarts former Peterite Kirk Williams and Hilmy Bebo. They too have former school match winners such as Trinitian Dharshana Suraweera, Isipathanian Zuhair Mohamed and few expats to add muscle to the team.
The boys have been training hard for the past three months and raring to parade their skills to bring back the glory to the club.