The Asia Rugby Executive Committee (EXCO) has unanimously approved the Nomination Committee’s proposal of appointing Mr Asanga Seneviratne and Mr Trevor Gregory as independent members.
As part of the continual governance reforms by Asia Rugby leadership, on the 12th of January 2021, Asia Rugby Council unanimously approved the EXCO’s recommendation of including two Independent Members to the EXCO.
In accordance with the governance practices of World Rugby and other major Sport organisations; Asia Rugby identified the need to include independent members on the EXCO who possess high-level skills and expertise.
Related News: Asia Rugby holds Annual General Meeting and Council meeting Remotely
A high powered Nomination Committee was appointed by Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai to shortlist and nominate names for the two positions.
The Committee was led by Asia Rugby Vice President Mr Vela Tan along with Chairperson of the Ethics and Governance Committee Mr Kakhramon Djalilov and Asia Rugby Chief Executive Officer Mr Johny Stavrinou.
Asanga Seneviratne is not new to Asia Rugby’s Executive Committee: he served as the Honorary Secretary General in 2013-2015. He also served as President of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union from 2012 – 2018 and is currently the Vice President of the Sri Lanka National Olympic Committee as well as the Chairperson of Asia Rugby Competitions Committee (including High Performance), where he has played a critical role since January 2020.
In November Mr Asanga was also appointed to Sri Lanka’s national ‘High Performance’ Committee, set up under the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs.
Seneviratne said, “It’s an absolute honor for me to be chosen by the leadership of Asia Rugby to serve in the Executive Committee to take Asia Rugby forward.”
Trevor Gregory from Hong Kong had been a member of Asia Rugby EXCO since its formation in 2007 till 2019. His tenure included roles as Asia Rugby President, 2013-2015, and World Rugby Council member, 2015-2019.
As World Rugby Council member, he served as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and as the Chairman of the World Rugby Regions Committee. Mr Gregory has also served as Chairman of Hong Kong Rugby Union for eight years.
Gregory Commented “ I am delighted and honoured to be part of Asia Rugby’s Executive Committee and the Asia Rugby Family again. I would like to thank the Council members and EXCO for supporting my nomination. “
He further added, “I will be proud to serve Asia Rugby and pledge to support the Asia Rugby President in continuing to develop our region, for the benefit of all of the members.”
Commenting on the development, Asia Rugby President Mr Qais Al Dhalai said, “I am delighted to welcome the 
two new members of EXCO.
I would like to thank Asia Rugby Council, the Nomination Committee and EXCO for their support of the governance reforms we are putting in place since being elected in November 2019”
“The addition of the two members who have extensive experience will only assist to make Asia Rugby a leading sports body.
They both bring with them extensive experience in Rugby as well as in their roles as successful business leaders.
“As we continue to implement governance reforms and build Asia Rugby as a leading sports body, I will continue to ensure that my guiding principles of Equality, Transparency and Accountability are implemented in all aspects of the game.”
