Sri Lanka’s excitement in hosting the final edition of Asian Sevens series in a few days time has been dampened with the news of the islanders being booted out of next year’s Hong Kong Sevens tournament.

According to the International Rugby Board (IRB) official website, Sri Lanka has failed to make the line-up of teams among the Asian nations that have qualified for the Hong Kong leg of the IRB sevens circuit 2009/2010.

The Asian nations that have qualified for the next edition of the Hong Kong Sevens are Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, China, Chinese Taipei and Thailand.

Rugby critics are of the opinion that Sri Lanka failed to cement a slot in the Hong Kong Sevens due their dismal performance in the Shanghai Sevens. They also point out that another reason that would have contributed towards Sri Lanka’s omission from the line-up in Hong Kong is failing to send a team for the recently concluded Borneo Sevens, in Malaysia.

Sri Lanka’s rugby authorities refrained from fielding a team for the Borneo Sevens stating that contesting the tournament would be unproductive.

From the six-leg Asian Sevens series, only the Shanghai Sevens and the Borneo Sevens are recognized as IRB rated tournaments.

Dr.Maiya Gunasekere Chairman Rugby Interim Committee told The Island that the organizers of the Hong Kong Sevens tournament rotated invitations to teams and there was nothing to be alarmed about Sri Lanka not obtaining a slot at the tournament next year.

Rugby critics add that it is a shame Sri Lanka couldn’t find a slot in Hong Kong because the team fared creditably at the 2009 edition of the tournament, having memorable games against Australia, Zimbabwe and Japan.

"We have not been invited for the Hong Kong Sevens two years running in the past. Not being invited for the Hong Kong Sevens is nothing new. Now what we need to do is to do well in the Asian Sevens Series and qualify for the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011," said Gunasekere.

"Asian sides can’t offer much competition to top teams at the Hong Kong Sevens. The most we could do is score a few tries, tackle some players and gain some exposure by gong for the Hong Kong Sevens," added Guansekere.

Asked whether being omitted from the Hong Kong Sevens would have a negative impact on rugby sevens in Sri Lanka, Gunasekere answered in the negative.

After the conclusion of the second and final IRB rated tournament in the Asian Sevens Series, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong have secured the top three places in the Asian Sevens ratings. From 13 Asian countries that have been rated by the IRB, Sri Lanka is placed 10th, which is only ahead of nations like Guam (11th), Brunei (12th) and Indonesia (13th).

Significant improvements have been made at rugby sevens by teams like Thailand (6th) Malaysia (7th) and India (8th). According to the IRB, these ratings would be applicable in inviting teams for IRB rated tournaments for the rest of the year.

Sri Lanka will host the final and sixth leg of the Asian Sevens Series in Colombo on November 28 and 29. The penultimate leg of the Asian Sevens Series will be hosted by Iran on November 20-22.