CR make big plans for future

Hopes to enlist six Sri Lankan Youth Players:

Pays tuition fees to three young players:

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

RUGBY: While maintaining the rich traditions, the Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club (CR&FC) will opt for quality rather than quantity as they have always done while laying their future plans for the betterment of the club and the game of rugby.

The President of the Club Jehan Canaga Ratne categorically stated that he firmly believed that studies and sports should go hand-in-hand and this balance of an individual should make a complete man. The club is already paying the tuition fees of three of their outstanding rugby players Ishan Noor, Niroshan Karunanayake and Reza Mubarak. In addition to the payments, they are bound under the contract payment system.

This will benefit the players immensely as their academic qualifications would help them to secure a future after their playing days are over.

He also said that the club hopes to obtain the services of six Sri Lanka Youth Players. They will be paid a contract fee as well as paying their fees to pursue in their studies while playing. This scheme will help them to find employment in the private sector. It will also benefit the club as the players will remain loyal to the club without joining other clubs who lure them by offering lucrative sums of money.

At present, the main objective of the club is to regain the 'A' Division rugby league title. They came so close to snatching it with a mere 0.50 behind champions Kandy SC. CR&FC obtained 35.00 points to Kandy SC's 35.50. Canaga Ratne said that the main drawback this season was the lack of a solid front row. The club hopes to rectify this next year by gaining the services of two prop forwards with at least three years experience.

The reason for their defeat to the Navy in the semi-final was their inability to win lineouts despite having three jumpers.

He gave due credit to the champion Kandy outfit who have been dominating the local rugby scene for over a decade. The main difference between Kandy and the other clubs is the touch of professionalism in the up-country club. All are full time rugby players. They train hard and have the backing of a rugby fanatic to support them financially. He also revealed that the club is hoping to construct a sports complex at the present hockey grounds which will comprise three badminton courts, a tennis court, basketball court, area for archery and also a tennis academy.

He further said that floodlights will be installed in the ground very soon which would help them to play rugby under lights next year.

He finally said that the club is run like an Institution with the administrative manager looking after the day to day affairs.