Sri Lanka U20 Rugby Team Returns as Asian Runners-Up

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Under-20 rugby team arrived back in the country this morning after securing the runner-up title at the prestigious Asian U20 Seven-A-Side Rugby Championship held in Bihar, India.

The young Lions showcased remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournament, defeating teams from Hong Kong, India, and the UAE in the group stage. Their momentum continued into the semi-finals, where they overcame China to earn a spot in the final.

Despite a strong start, Sri Lanka fell short in the final match against Hong Kong, earning the second-place title in a highly competitive tournament.

Team captain Shahid Sumri expressed pride in the team’s performance, stating, “Hong Kong is one of the strongest teams in Asia. We started the tournament with a win against them, and our confidence remained high throughout. Overall, we’re proud of how far we came.”

Head coach Shamli Nawas praised the team’s achievement, noting, “After five years without participating in a tournament of this scale, winning the runner-up title is a huge step forward. This marks a promising beginning for the future of Sri Lankan rugby.”

The team’s performance has sparked optimism for the development of youth rugby in Sri Lanka, with hopes of building stronger squads for future international competitions.