Sean Wijesinghe captains Kandy Sports Club 2014/2015

By Hafiz Marikar

Rugby Football: The rugby fraternity of Kandy are pleased with the appointment of Sean Mark Wijesinghe for the forthcoming domestic rugby season as captain. As we all know, last season the club failed to live up to its traditional glory of being rugby champs and left the rugby fans of Kandy extremely saddened.

Sean Mark Wijesinghe, a third row forward has been re-called to lead the Kandy Sports Club in the coming inter-cub rugby season. Sean who learnt his rudiments of rugby at Trinity College and while at school he represented Kandy Sports Club and it was under his leadership the Nitawella club won the triple crown last in 2011, he also led the Sri Lanka National side.

He is one of the best, balanced and knowledgeable player with dedication to any job entrusted to him, whether it be rugby or anything else.

The club has wisely and rightfully recalled him to lead the side. Especially in the last two seasons, this club failed to produce a good leader.

In the coming season, Sean is sure to give his best with his years of experience. Dedication is something that sportsman of today seem to be lacking. The only sportsmen who seem to have this in abundance is Sean and Kandy need more people of this calibre. He is supported by some of the best players in the country.

Wijesinghe played for TCK in 2000

Sean Wijesinghe played for Trinity in the year 2000 under the coaching guidance of Ikram Odyar and leadership of David Luchow, in - 2001 the side was led by Thisal Jayawardene coached by Quentin Israel. He was a fine player during his school days, and was specialized in line-outs and tackling. He was also a fine basketball player and Athlete at school and won colours for Rugby and Basketball.

He has been with the Nittawela club for twelve long years, as a player, captain and also helping in coaching. With the new appointment, his intentions are to revive the lost prestige of the club by playing the game from the front by getting the best from the players and getting back the trophy winning mood.

Sean, speaking to this writer, said that the club is blessed with some top class players, and also they are lucky to get back Johan Taylor from Ireland to coach the side. Hhis first coaching stint was from 2007 to 2012 during which time he did extremely well for the club to be at the top. With the Executive Committee having pledged their fullest support, together with the rugby committee headed by Lasantha Wijasuriya to provide the essentials towards players welfare with team manager Kapila Silva.

Samarawickrema responsible in getting Sean

The man behind the scene is non other than Malik Samarawickrema the king pin of rugby, who gives plenty of support to the game both financially and in person. One should keep in mind, there is no rugby without the players, and they are the ones who keep the club flag flying. So the best support should be extended to them as a priority.

Blessed with an overwhelming height and build and an outgoing personality, Sean is one of the sought-after rugby players in the domestic rugby scene, when it came to playing rugby or enjoying a post match social. His close associates say that Sean has a huge appetite to be highly committed and enjoy life and was determined to ensure that players were better treated and taken care off.

"He is extremely talented and fitted in well with the team and the executive committee. It is not easy to fit into a set up with a wide range of players from different societies, but he did well in fitting into Kandy SC with the new club culture, because he is a very clever guy, with rugby skills, passion and discipline. He showed no malice to anyone and always sported a smile on his face. Sean was rated as a 'multi talented' player with a good character and knowledge. He was injury-prone for some time and used to tell us that he would play only if 100% fit, because he didn't want to let the side down. He made it a point to mingle with the players when at the club and enjoyed the socials,"

He had a brief career with the national team and represented the country in both 15-a-side rugby and the abbreviated form of rugby union.