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| Sunday, 28 November 2004 |
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Indrajith and Asoka reached the height of greatness - Malik Samarawickrema by S. M. JIFFREY ABDEEN, Kandy Sports Corr "Indrajith Bandaranayake and Asoka Jayasena are two great players who served not only Kandy Sports Club, but the national team too with dedication and commitment. Their services were rewarded by being selected to captain the national team at various stages of their career," said the Trustee and Patron of Kandy Sports Club Malik Samarawickrema. He made these observations at the felicitation dinner accorded to the two retiring ruggerites at the Earls Regency Hotel, Kandy. Malik Samarawickrema said that the club by an unanimous decision decided to honour these two great rugby players who had served the club for over 12 years. Although the word 'great' is used frequently, the real meaning of great should be 'par excellence' and both Asoka Jayasena and Indrajith Bandaranayake are worthy of being named great players of Sri Lanka, and their services have been par excellence. In the same category there have been great players in the past like Kavan Rambkwella, Eric Roles, Sari de Sylva, Ashy Cader, Didacus de Almeida, Michael Jayasekera, Hisham Abdeen and Priyantha Ekanayake who had bestrode the local rugby scene like the mythical colossus and left a stamp of class of their own. Samarawickrema said that these players were known to have steered their teams to success by their individual brilliance even though rugby is a team sports. Although both Bandaranayake and Jayasena will not be playing from next year, they have agreed to serve in the administration of the club as their knowledge and experience will be invaluable. Samarawickrema further said that Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte as President was a tower of strength to the team committee and administration by his charming ways of handling any situation which he did with a smile. He served the club as President for 12 years with commitment, dedication and administrative brilliance which was not only a part of the victorious teams, but was responsible for the changes Kandy SC had undergone for the better over the years. Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte, in his address said that he was extremely happy to be associated on this occasion despite being dogged by ill-health since of late and was leaving for Singapore the same night for further treatment. He thanked Malik Samarawickrema and organisers for the excellent arrangements made to honour the two great rugby players who had served the club with loyalty and dedication and brought it honour since 1992 when he assumed office. Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte paid a glowing tribute to Samarawickrema who was not only the guiding light but also the driving force behind the success of the club which had tasted sweet success almost in every rugby championship since 1992 barring a few. He also said that rugby team had brought glory to the club and the city of Kandy by their superlative performances this year. He regretted that he was unable to witness many matches this year due to ill health. The ceremony reached its climax when Samarawickrema called upon Dr. Kapuwatte to present the awards which was in the form of cash and trophy to Indrajith Bandaranayake and Asoka Jayasena for their invaluable services. Malik Samarawickrema also presented a trophy to Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte as a token of appreciation of the great service rendered to the club by him. Ruby Chairman of Kandy Sports Club D. Sivasubramaniam also addressed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks. |
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