Havies put country ahead untying players, exposing rivals

by Callistus Davy

In a telling gesture of nationalism at a time of high stakes in corporate rugby, Havelocks Sports Club has told its new crop of young players to put their country ahead of the club and prepare with the Sri Lanka squad for next month’s Youth Asian Championships in Singapore.

Once the country’s best crowd-pulling club, Havelocks signed up youth stars Kevin Dixon, Nishon Perera, Udara Anjana (all from St. Peter’s College), Umesh Madushan (Royal College), Lasindu Karunatilleke (Science College) and Vimukthi Rahula (St.Joseph’s College) for the new League season which starts on November 20.

But the club has decided that national commitments cannot be compromised and released the players who are all part of a 35-member provisional squad expected to move into training next week under coach Sanath Martis.

“Whatever has to be said and done, you have to think of national duties. We have no issues with that and the country comes first”, said Havelocks Rugby Chairman Nishantha (Alex) Chanaka, a former Sri Lanka winger.

The Park Club’s stand on releasing players for national duty is likely to test the pulse of other clubs in the fray who have yet to make a ruling. One of the clubs, Navy, have enlisted as many as 11 youth players that includes Isipathana College’s top brand players Omalka Gunaratne, Chathura Dilshan, Isuru Kongahawatte and Asitha Gayashan along with Royal College’s Bhanuka Gamage while CR and FC have grabbed Royal College’s try machine Supun Warnakulasuriya along with Tariq Salih (St. Joseph’s College).

Police have bagged a prized catch in Kingswood College’s ace kicker and fullback Reza Rafaideen.

The Sri Lanka youth squad was picked on Thursday by national selectors Michael Jayasekera, Anura Uduwelagedera, Sajith Mallikarachchie and Rohan Abeykoon and are expected to move into a residential training camp in Diyatalawa.

Sri Lanka is grouped along with Singapore, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong.

Players not released by their clubs have already been told by the Schools Rugby Football Association that they will have to explain their position before their cases are taken up, possibly with the Sports Ministry which will in turn present the matter to the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) that has jurisdiction over clubs.

Concerns have been raised that youth players who are not released by their clubs could also run the risk of injury playing in the League and the Sunday Observer learns that before selection of the final 23-member squad, the players will be subjected to a strict medical examination and anyone with injury woes will be out.

The rush by clubs to recruit youth players marks a vibrant build up to the League in which new blood is seen as crucial following a decision taken by the Tournament Committee to disapprove overseas players taking part.

Disregarding country interests and playing for clubs holds nothing strange as it became the norm some years ago when club officials cashed in to settle old scores with SLRFU administrators.