Navy's top football award - a fitting reward for determination

By Leslie FERNANDO

FOOTBALL: The spirited performances put up by the Sri Lanka Navy soccerites in the recently concluded HOLCIM FA Cup 2010 tournament saw them lift the prestigious trophy, defeating Nandimithra SC 2-1 in the final played at Police Park, Bambalapitiya.

This is the first occasion the sailors touched the most cherished prize FA Cup in front of a capacity crowd. Sri Lanka Navy footballers not only succeeded in entering the final of the tournament in which top teams in the island were involved, but they did well by winning the coveted award. It was a well deserved victory for the team, as they put up a fine display of attacking football to stay on top.

There were other experienced teams in the fray, but the Navy players had the potential to play well throughout the tournament to get the best out from the team so that they were able to win the tourney.

Former Sri Lanka ace striker Mahinda Palitha of Saunders fame, the coach of the Sri Lanka Navy, provided them tough training sessions on the field, interspersed with theory classes inside the Welisara Navy auditorium.

He had prepared them mentally technically and physically for the big task and the players did not disappoint.

Strong Nandimithra Beaten

On the whole, the Sailors can feel proud that they downed the much stronger Nandimithra SC, after losing an earlier game to them. But while they are basking in the glory of this victory, they must remember that one swallow does not make a summer.

The sailors should continue to maintain the good standard they displayed in winning the FA Cup in the forthcoming Premier League 'A' division tournament scheduled to commence from July 18 so that they can keep the winning trend going.

Vice-Admiral Tisara Samarasinghe Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy a former Royal College sportsman, who was also the President of Rifle Shooting Association of Sri Lanka, was all praise for the Navy soccer team for their top performance. Navy Chief Samarasinghe was a source inspiration for the soccerites. He provided all facilities and also encouraged them. So the sailors were motivated to the highest level and the players did not disappoint. And victory was a just reward.

Fine support

In addition to the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Rohan Amerasinghe the Senior Co-ordinating Officer on Sports, together with Commander Hasitha Gamage (President SL Navy soccer section), Commander Keerthi Basnayake, Lt. Commander M. Basnayake (Secretary), M.N. Bandara (Trainer), L.A.D.K. Athukorale (Assistant Coach) - the whole lot were always there to guide and offer every possible assistance to the Sri Lanka Navy soccerites.

It should be mentioned that two Vice Admirals - Sarath Weerasekera MP, and Ananda Peiris also supported the Navy soccerites for the last couple of years.

The Sailors reached the final of the HOLCIM FA Cup tournament after defeating Super Star SC, Beruwala, Ratnam SC, Don Bosco SC, Negombo in the preliminary round games.

The Sri Lanka Navy soccer team fielded only two National players in Nalaka Roshan and Mali Migara while the rest of the team consisted of several National Youth players. Determination was the key word in the team and it paid rich dividends!

Navy SC poolists were : Ajith Kumara, Rasika Dayananda, Mahesh Savithra, Janaka Silva, Criswin Fernando, Nalaka Roshan, Dhammika Ratnayake, Nivantha Nandasiri, Pradeep Perera, Laksitha Prasad, P.D.M. Migara, Gehan Arachchi, Dilan Perera, J. Sudarshan, Subash Madusanka, Chathura Sanjeeva, Angelo Manuel, Sanjeeva Chathuranga, Susantha Weerasinghe, Sahan Somasiri, Samantha Weerasinghe, R.K. Ranga.