“A Try, A Tree”: President Qais Al Dhalai Celebrates 1,500 Trees Planted
1,500 Trees Planted, 507 More Scheduled in Sri Lanka
Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai, joined by EXCO Member Gerald Prabhu, CEO Benjamin Van Rooyen, and President’s Advisor to South Asia & Chairman of the Sports and Environment Committee Nalin De Silva, reaffirmed Asia Rugby’s commitment to long-term environmental sustainability through the “A Try, A Tree” initiative, first ceremonially launched at Diyawanna Grounds, Rajagiriya earlier this year.
In partnership with Planet Protectors, the programme has now reached a significant milestone:
1,500 indigenous and endangered trees planted across Sri Lanka
507 additional trees scheduled in the next phase to match tries scored across Asia Rugby tournaments
All trees have been individually tagged, geolocated, and recorded for accountability, setting a new benchmark for sustainability integration in international sport.
Asia Rugby President, Qais Al Dhalai, stated:
“When we launched A Try, A Tree in Sri Lanka, we envisioned a legacy where every moment of triumph on the rugby field translated into a lasting contribution to our planet. Today, with 1,500 trees already in the ground and more phases underway, Asia Rugby is proud to lead by example. This is just the beginning — we are committed to expanding this initiative across all Asia Rugby competitions as part of our long-term climate responsibility mission.”
Nalin De Silva, President’s Advisor to South Asia & Chairman of the Sports and Environment Committee, added:
“Sri Lanka is honoured to be the starting point of this powerful sustainability movement. With each tree planted and digitally tagged, we are not only greening our landscapes but also building accountability and community engagement. Asia Rugby’s support has turned this vision into a measurable environmental impact that goes far beyond the pitch.”
Planting Progress Report – Verified by Planet Protectors (16 October 2025)
| Stage | Location | Trees Planted | Notes / Tracking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 01 | A Try – A Tree Sanctuary | 370 | Tagged & mapped |
| Stage 02 | Gileemale Forest – Walandura Area | 250 | Mapped via Google link |
| Stage 03 | A Try – A Tree Sanctuary | 300 | Tagged & traceable |
| Stage 04 | A Try – A Tree Sanctuary | 230 | Geolocated |
| Stage 05 | Gileemale Forest – Walandura Area | 350 | Google-linked location |
| Total Completed | — | 1,500 Trees | Fully planted |
| Next Phase | Scheduled Sites | 507 Trees | To match remaining Asia Rugby tries |
Tree species include endemic and endangered varieties native to Sri Lanka, aligned with biodiversity preservation targets.
A Regional Blueprint for Sport and Climate Action
Asia Rugby confirms that A Try, A Tree is integrated into youth, women’s, and senior competitions, with participating unions encouraged to host local planting activations in collaboration with environmental partners. This aligns with Asia Rugby’s #RugbyForClimate strategy and global sport sustainability standards.
About Asia Rugby’s Commitment to Sustainability
Asia Rugby, through the Sports & Environment Committee, continues to lead regional efforts linking sporting excellence with environmental stewardship. The organisation is actively developing carbon offset mechanisms, green venue standards, and education frameworks for unions and athletes.
