Dialog Schools U19 Elite Rugby 7’s - 2024 kicks off this April

Harsha Samaranayake, Vice President, Brand & Media, Dialog Axiata PLC handing over the sponsorship to M.B.B Attanayake, Deputy President of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA).

Also pictured (L) D.R.C Dhananjaya – Treasurer of Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association, Pubudu Aluthgedara - Senior General Manager/ Head of Business, Dialog Television, Dialog Axiata PLC (R) A. R. M. Mohamed Trizvi – Vice President of Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association, D.W.M Nimmana - General Secretary of Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association

In its steadfast dedication to nurturing future sporting stars and powering the champions of tomorrow, Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, proudly announces its corporate sponsorship for Dialog Schools Rugby - Under 19 Elite Rugby 7s 2024, organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA). Scheduled to take place on April 20th and 21st at the Royal College Sports Complex in Colombo, the tournament is committed to developing talent and giving students the chance to play and progress to Club and National levels.

Dialog Axiata PLC has made arrangements to broadcast the tournament LIVE on Dialog Television - ThePapare TV (Channel Number 63), Dialog ViU, and Thepapare.com for all present and old boys, parents, supporters, well-wishers and Sri Lanka’s rugby-loving community.

Participating schools include Isipathana College, St. Peter's College, Royal College, Vidyartha College, Dharmaraja College, Science College, Prince of Wales College, Piliyandala Central College, Lumbini College, Maliyadeva College, Ananda College, St. Benedict's College, Carey College, St. Aloysius College, Sumangala College, Panadura, Sri Rahula College, Richmond College, Nalanda College, and Siri Piyarathna College.With the teams divided into eight groups from ‘A’ to ‘H,’ spectators can anticipate riveting matches throughout the two-day event.

Defending champions Isipathana College are grouped with St. Benedict’s College in Group A, while in Group ‘B,’ Prince of Wales College and Sumangala Central College Panadura are poised for a showdown. Group ‘C’ will witness a clash between two Olcott schools, Dharmaraja College and Ananda College. Royal College, the favorites, will face off against Carey College and Nalanda College in Group ‘D,’ setting the stage for intense battles on the field.

Group ‘E’ will showcase Science College, Lumbini College, and Richmond College, each eager to exhibit their prowess. Piliyandala Central College, St. Aloysius College, and Siri Piyarathana College Padukka will compete in Group ‘F’ for a chance to advance. Meanwhile, Group ‘G’ will feature Kandy schools Vidyartha College and Sri Rahula College striving for victory.

St. Peter’s College, the Cup Champions of the recent Zahira Centenary Sevens, will square off against Maliyadeva College, winners of the Shield Championship, in an eagerly awaited match.

“SLSRFA has been continuously giving opportunities for the players to showcase their talents and to make them ready for national duty by organizing tournaments of this nature,” said M.B.B Attanayake, Deputy President, SLSRFA.

"School Rugby holds a special place as one of the most passionately followed sports events in Sri Lanka. We are delighted that the SLSRFA is organizing the Dialog Schools U19 Elite Rugby 7’s tournament, providing a significant uplift to the sport," stated Harsha Samaranayake, Vice President - Brand and Media at Dialog Axiata PLC. "At Dialog, fostering the next generation of Sri Lankan sports heroes is a priority for us. We extend our best wishes to the SLSRFA and to all the young athletes for a successful tournament. Dialog Axiata is the proud sponsor of the National Cricket, Volleyball, Netball and Esports teams. Dialog is also the primary sponsor of the Sri Lanka Golf Open and Paralympic sports by powering the National Para Games, and the Sri Lankan contingent to the World Paralympic Games. Further, in line with its commitment towards empowering the champions of tomorrow, the company continues to power the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, and School Rugby.