Kandy geared and waiting for any hurdle

by Hafiz Marikar

Kandy Sports Club, the reigning rugby champions and the most successful club in Sri Lanka with a record of 18 League titles since 1992 will kick off their new season with a game against CH and FC on Sunday November 22 at Nittawela.

The team will be led by Fazil Marija who is rated as the best fly half in the country with a lot of hope to continue the winning streak.

The defending League champions have as many as 35 top shelf players currently at practices. They should do well in contesting the line-outs and the set scrums for vital ball that will be just what their sparkling back-line would want.

It was in the early 1990s that Kandy overtook rival clubs in the head-to-head record by winning the League and after 42 years to regain the Clifford Cup.

But none of it happened before the arrival of Kandy's main architect and promoter Malik Samarawickrema who turned a bunch of poorly equipped players into a champion outfit. He made lucrative deals with players, enhanced their careers, gave them employment and secured them sponsors in the revolution.

Kandy will be fielding a well-balanced side, coached by Sean Wijesinghe who is also a fine motivator of the team. Saliya Kumara a highly acclaimed utility player is also lending a helping hand in coaching as an expert in the back-division. He could also join the team as a player.

The team is managed by Isipathana College's Kapila de Silva while ex-Kingswoodian Nalaka Weerakkody is the convener with experienced Lasantha Wijesuriya as the chairman of rugby.

Singer, Etisalat and Cargills continue as the team's main sponsors.

Kandy squad:

Roshan Weeraratne, Gayan Weeratne, Kishore Jehan, Fazil Marija (Captain), Gayan Jayawardane, Asitha Ratnayake, Damitha Dissanayake, Tharindu Chanaka, Heshan Silva, Lavanga Perera, Oshan Perera, Dansha Dayan, Anuruddha Wilwara, Pumal Manchanayake, Kasun Jayasooriya, Lasitha Maduranga, Thilina Wijesinghe, Tharindu Chathuranga, Richard Dharmapala, Gayan Ratnayake, Arshad Jamaldeen, Yakoob Ali, Nigel Ratwatte, Buwanaka Udangamuwa, Dimithri Wijetunga, Chanaka Bandara, Lochana Girihagama, Shehan Pathirana, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Soyuru Anthony, Thisila Karunathilake, Raveen de Silva, Saliya Kumara.