Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte's commitment and dedication took Kandy SC to the top

By Hafiz Marikar

A GREAT WORKER: True to the commitment and dedication Kandy Sports Club's President Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte's contribution to Kandy Sports Club rugby should be weighed in Gold. Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte, from the day he stepped into the Nittawella Club, has given off his best for the sport and the club. He is the man who helped the club to win the first cup together with Malik Samarawickrema with their master plan, so it took 42 years for Kandy Sports Club to win the Clifford Cup.

Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte, a product of S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia, took up the profession of being a doctor and got back to his home town in the Central Province. After being well established, he took to promoting rugby in Kandy.

In 2011, he became the President of the Club for 17th time, and has created a record in the club by holding this prestigious post for a record number of times. He was President from 1990 to 1994 (5 years), 1997 to 1998 (two years), 2000 to 2004 (5 years), 2006 to 2008 (3 years) and 2010 to 2011 (2 years). His appointment has always been unanimous, mainly due to his huge commitment, dedication and standing firm in promoting the club to the utmost. He is to say, my committee and I appreciate your contribution towards making Kandy SC an active and a vibrant one.

He makes a personal appeal to all concerned to be a part of the events lined up in 2012 to ensure success of Rugby in 2012. "I must also make mention of Malik Samarawickrema - Trustee for the huge contribution he has made and is still continuing with Kandy Sports Club.

1st success

It was in 1992 for the first time Kandy Sports Club won the Clifford Cup after 42 years, under the captaincy of Maurice Joachim, Ananda Kasaturiarchchi who started the season as captain later in the season Joachim ended with the Cup. In that year, Kandy Sports Club were placed runnersup in the R. Premadasa Knockout Tournament.

Kandy Sports Club entered the Clifford Cup final for the first time in 1954 and went down to CR & FC, and again in 1955 lost the Cup to CR & FC, 1969 for the third time again went down to CR & FC and 1978 to Havelocks SC.

In 1993, under the captaincy of Priyantha Ekanayake, Kandy won the Clifford Cup for the second time. Priyantha Ekanayake's team made Kandy proud in the pattern of play which beat CH & FC. Not many a cup final ended in the way it did in 1993.It was Lal Wijesiri's boot that helped the Nittawella Club to win. Trailing by a single point for most part of the second half, Kandy Sports Club came back through an eleventh hour penalty to clinch a thrilling 18-16 win.

In this final, Kandy SC ruggerites began the game at a furious pace securing 15/6 lead during the first quarter with their forwards spearheaded by Kiti Ratuddra completely rattling their counterparts. But the vanquished CH & FC could take heart that they played an engrossing game keeping rugby fans happy.

Kandy Sports Club have won under players like Maurice Joachim, Priyantha Ekanayake, Indrajith Bandaranayake, Saman Kotelawela, Lasantha Wijesuriya, Imthi Marikar, Harris Omar, Dunstan de Silva, Sajith Mallikarachchi, Nalaka Weerakodi, Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, Sean Wijesinghe, Fazil Marija, to name a few.

Big things planned

In the coming season - 2012, Kandy Sports Club, the glamour boys of local rugby scene, will aim being champions once again. Training has begun, until the arrival of regular coach Johan Taylor now in South Africa; Sri Lanka skipper Sean Wijesinghe is handling the coaching assignment to a well drawn up plan.

The Kandy Sports Club players are known to play as a unit and will continue the same way.

According to Rugby Chairman Lasantha Wijesuriya, most of last year's players are available and there are few new additions from schools, Kandy are also hoping to bring in three overseas players. Lasantha is confident that the team will continue to be a awesome force that everyone wants to beat.

Sad to say, Veteran Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, a hero of the club in many a season, first commenced his club rugby career and played for Havelock's having captained the side moved over to Kandy Sports Club in 2003 and later captained the side as well, retires from the game after a long spell of 9 years representing clubs and the National team.

Kandy Sports Club has won the league on 18 times in 20 outings, and the Clifford Cup 17 times, in 20 years. From 1992, the Clifford Cup has been in the cabinet at Nittawella except for the year 1994 where CH & FC won. 1998 no Clifford Cup and in 2006 due to a misunderstanding with the parent body, Kandy SC withdrew from the tournament.

From 1997 to 2009, Kandy SC has won each President's Trophy Knockout Tournament with the exception of the 1998 series, losing by 26-30 in the final to CR FC.

Foreign tour

On March 10, 2010 Kandy Sports Club left for a 15 day two legged tour of Dubai and South Africa where they played a few matches. The club played one match in Dubai and two in South Africa. Earlier they had toured Thailand and this time too the team is on a tour of Thailand. Kandy Sports Club's unparalleled success is due to the commitment, dedication, caring and personal attention of Malik Samarawickrema who is the "God Father" of the club since 1992. With his wide experience in the sport, having been very successful as a rugby coach, national team manager, SLRFU Representative of the ARFU, Council Member of the SLRFU and later President - SLRFU etc.

In another aspect, you can address him as "King Maker" of the game. Malik's enormous support for Kandy SC even saw the club enjoying IRB - approved International Rugby 7's "Asian Region Satellite Series". From 2004 to 2007, with his foresight the structural and ground development of the club was upgraded with funds from friends.