Malik Samarawickrema continues the good work so that Kandy's Rugby goes forward

by hafiz Marikar

Well-known rugby sports personality Malik Samarawickrema continues his wealthy contribution to rugby and in particular to Kandy Sports Club to maintain it's dominance since 1992. It has become the brightest era in Kandy purely due to the foundation Malik has laid to the Nittawela Club.

Kandy SC came from nowhere to become an invincible force, destroying the dominance of Colombo based clubs. As a result the Hill Capital changed the destiny of local inter-club rugby, including the rugby playing schools in Kandy who have raised their standards to be a driving force in the schools association.

Many seem to have forgotten those glorious moments of Kandy Sports Club rugby, but there are still a few who remember the part played by promoters, one such person being a proud product of Royal Collage, Colombo - Malik Samarawickrema who is equally popular among many ruby promoters.

Samarawickrema has contributed much towards the game. Malik's name is a household one. After having played for Royal College as a scrum-half from 1966 to 1968 along with the famous players like Jagath Fernando, H.C.P. Malwatte, A.J. Yusuf, Brian Luiersz, C.R. (Bulla) de Silva, D.J. Perera, R. Thurairatnam, Brian Baptist and G. Mohamed to name a few.

After leaving school, he joined the CR & FC and played for them as scrum-half and came off with flying colours. He also played for the Low-Country in the "Caper Cup" game against Up-Country and also was a member of the Sri Lanka President's XV. He hung up his boots in 1977 and became a great promoter of the sport. It was Malik Samarawickrema who brought Kandy Sports Club to the fore front of the game with his knowledge, experience. Kandy Sports would not have reached its present position in the field of rugby, if not for Samarawickrema. He helped the side to win the league 19 times since 1994 and the Clifford Cup 16 times, first in 1992, Presidents trophy 11 times since 1995, 'Triple' eleven times since 1995.

Malik - the chief behind Kandy's excellence

All the good work by Kandy Sports Club since 1992 has been due to Malik's initiatives, know-how, and solid backing. He has made lucrative deals with players, careers, employment and sponsors to play for Kandy. Counterparts in Colombo, too, showed keen interest in turning out for KSC. He is a strict disciplinarian and a man who was in the 1968 game, having given his best for rugby at school, club, province and at national levels.

As in the past, he will be standing by his favorite Kandy Sports Club team to ensure another wonderful season that is due.

Malik Samarawickrema joined the Nittawela club early 1990s, on an invitation of former Captain Kandy Sports Club and National player Nimal Malagamuwa and this writer.

When Samarawickrema joined Kandy Sports Club, this club had a long history of the game, but had not won a single championship, though they entered the cup finals in 1954. When the tournament was only five years old, Kandy lost to CR & FC and in the following year, in 1955 entered the Cup finals and lost again to CR & FC. The next final was in 1969 and in that year, too, they lost to CR & FC, again in 1978 lost to Havelock's SC in the cup finals.

Kandy first won Clifford Cup in 1992

Kandy first won the Clifford Cup in 1992, from there onwards they have been winning the championship many times and today this club is known as the champion rugby club, home to the country's best players.

Malik was the founder of the Singer/SriLankan Airlines International Sevens.

He supported and helped the organisers to conduct this tournament for 10 long years from 1999 to 2008, but thereafter, this event which received IRB status in 2004 and conducted the Rugby World Cup Qualifier for the Asian Region on successfully conducting this event the IRB offered the event the first "Asian Region Rugby Seven's "Satellite Series" in 2005 and even provided IRB funds to conduct this tournament, until this tournament was 'high-jacked' by Rugby Union to Colombo.

Unfortunately the IRB status was also withdrawn. Malik's contribution to Asian Sevens Rugby is invaluable and appreciated by both IRB and ARFU.

This great rugby promoter can be called as the godfather of Kandy Sports Club, and in particular, the best-ever in this Heritage City - Kandy. This international sevens tournament, which was brought into celebrate 125 years of Kandy Sports Club in 1999, was one of the most successful international tournaments to be organized in Sri Lanka.

The tournament was recognised, firstly because of the efficient administration of the tournament which is essential if rugby is to develop and expand in the Asian Region under the auspices of the parent body and the ARFU, secondly, because it introduced new teams and talented players which is vital to maintain high standards of play. Once again, Malik is all out to bring back this tournament. With these twin objectives in mind, the founder of the tournament Malik and the Kandy Sports Club committee set up all possible means to develop this competition. Malik's initiative rugby sevens went from strength to strength, as a promoter he helped many players to hit the top in the sport and become National players. Besides, due to his experience, contribution, and finding sponsors to the Nittawela Club upgraded all facilities that was required for an international rugby grounds and was thereafter, maintained with very high standards since 1999.

Malik is used to saying that whilst it is difficult to reach the top, it is more difficult to stay on top and Kandy Sports Club being the only club out of Colombo, has stayed at the top for a decade. Malik was one time in the Longden Place Committee, and later in the SLRFU as Treasurer, Vice-President, President and also one time Sri Lanka team manager.

Malik - a great worker in the game

When the history of rugby is recorded at Nittawela and the controlling body, the name of Malik Samarawickrema will stand as one of the greatest administrators of this sport.

In the years gone by there was an idea by large number of club members and sports stalwarts in the country that It's high time they name the Nittawela ground as "Malik Samarawickrema Rugby Stadium" for his great contribution which he richly deserved.

There are also others whom we cant forget who contributed in some measure to Kandy Sports Club in the past. The names that come up are: Dr. K.B. Sangakkara, Stanley Martin, Col.Stanly Ratwatte, Chandra Wijenayake, E.W. Balasuriya, Dr. C.D.L. Fernando, Dr. S.Nadasen, Dr. John Karunarne, Dr. Dago Gunawardene, Dr. Sarth Kapuwatte, Maurice Perera, Y.C. Chang, Lt. Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Oswin Silva, Iswan Omar to name a few.