Incomparable Kandy mentor Malik to be felicitated

by Hafiz Marikar

The sport of rugby in Kandy has a long and proud history and recognising the man who has made a significant contribution to the game is none other than Malik Samarawickrema who will be felicitated after completing 25 years of dedicated service.

When the history of Kandy Sports Club rugby is recorded, the name of Malik Samarawickrema will stand out as one of the greatest administrators of the club and Sri Lanka rugby.

A most fitting tribute will be if Kandy SC names their Nittawela ground as the "Malik Samarawickrema Rugby Stadium" to honour his deeds which he richly deserves.

Malik ventured into areas where no other man had gone to bring Kandy to where it is today. He was a listener, mentor and father figure to players who will always cherish his contribution.

If not for Malik, rugby would have suffered the same fate as cricket, football and hockey which now lie in a funeral parlour.

Malik was at one time with rival club CR and FC playing as scrum half and later in its Committee. He went on to serve in the SLRFU as treasurer, vice-president, president and Sri Lanka team manager.

Malik started his rugby at Royal College as a scrum half from 1966 to 1968 along with the famous Jagath Fernando, HCP Malwatte, AJ Yusuf, B. Livera, CR de Silva, DJ Perera, R.Thurairatnam, Bryan Baptist and G Mohamed to name some of them.

He also played for the Low Country team in the Caper Cup game against Up-Country and was a member of the Sri Lanka President's XV before hanging up his boots in 1977. Even after moving out from national administration, Malik played his part in inaugurating the Singer SriLankan Airlines International Sevens for ten years.