Bradby Shield rugby encounter well organised!

by Hafiz Marikar

In the aftermath of the 1st Leg Bradby Shield encounter played last weekend at the Pallekele Rugby Stadium, I reflect on the weekend, which opened my eyes of over 15000 spectators at the picturesque stadium. There were added facilities since last year for the benefit of the huge crowds particularly from Colombo.

For those that don't know about the event, the Bradby Shield encounter has continuously been a source of enjoyment and tourism for the City for many years now, growing ever in popularity. Some 15000 people and over were apparently expected to have been involved in the Rugby that weekend, with many being schoolboys flying in for the event.

And you can see why it's so popular with it combining a fast paced game of rugby with a general party atmosphere in and around the stadium and later in the heritage city where all hotels and clubs hosted great entertainment. It really is an occasion for all, which is one of many reasons for the appeal and one reason the Bradby is sure to be a big success for years to come. With this high profile, rugby as one of the prestigious fixtures highlighting the increase in popularity for the sport as well as the event in Sri Lanka.

Good meeting place

Now as all my regular readers will know. Today is no different. The Bradby Shield encounter, although a place for rugby fans and fancy dress fans to unite, is actually a good place to network, to meet new potential clients and catch up with existing clients over the course of the weekend. It's often a good point of discussion with many clients whether it be; the scramble to get tickets, whether you're going to be making an appearance or the aftermath of how are you feeling, there are plenty of discussion points to be had before, during and after the event.

The one thing to be aware of, especially in a 'small' city like Kandy, is to make sure you don't add to those talking points with your clients. As mentioned before reputations take a long time to build and a short time to ruin it's something everyone who goes should take into consideration. Either way, it's an event that certainly brings people together and I think a great event for the city of Kandy.

On a final note, I think congratulations must go to the Principal of Trinity College Brig Udaya Ariyaratne, the Manager Administration Ajth Kobbekkduwa and Project Officer Col. Wilbert Ranawake and the rest who have made the rugby Stadium, a wonderful place for viewers, the rugby fraternity thanks, the three of you profusely for a good job well done at Pallekele Rugby Stadium, the new tiers with a seating capacity of five thousand six hundred, and the main pavilion accommodating 0ne thousand four hundred, and another eight thousand on either sides of the goal posts and the areas on the sides of the Main pavilion made the capacity to fifteen thousand, the reconstructing and renovation to facilitate rugby to an International level.

This Stadium at Pallekele, owned by Trinity College, housed in the heritage city of Kandy can be rated as one of the best rugby grounds in the country today. The actual area name of the spot where the stadium is built, was called Kadawidiya Pallekele.

Principal - great lover of rugby

The Principal of Trinity, like some of the former principals is a great lover of rugby. He has done a great deal to boost the game, his current vision and concentration is to build a good car park surrounding the stadium to accommodate all vehicle coming to the venue and an easy exit. The Sporting President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the Governor of Central Province Tikiri Kobbekduwa to help in this matter by finding a suitable place for a large vehicle park. At present there is parking space for almost seven hundred only and the idea is to make it double.

Pallekele Stadium is situated in an eco-friendly area with a fine view and the surroundings is excellent. All in all, well done Brig. Udaya Ariyaratne we all rally round to give you a mighty applause for having done something everyone thought it impossible to stage a Brady Shield encounter.

When this writer spoke to him soon after the Bradby Shield game, he said that the school gives the best possible support for all sports; Rugby Football in particular at Trinity is the number one sport. Whatever, the secret of its recent approach to rugby has always been the most popular sports event at Trinity, since it was introduced in 1906, in the last two years the Trinitians have done their best, though they lost their vital game against Royal College "Bradby Shield" but played very fine, quality and entertaining rugby to satisfy the large spectator attendance in the country with very high spirits. He further said that this rugby season was approached with a professional manner together with a right structure in place, providing all facilities with immense support from the OBA rugby scrummage for the team to be at the helm of rugby from 2011.

Trinity who have a long history in the field of hockey and during the last two years have done extremely well, with the award of two Hockey Lions to the best performers in 2010. At Weightlifting the school did well and became the National School Champions. The Basketball team too has improved lately as for sometime ago this sport was much to be desired. Football introduced recently is improving and in 2010 performed well at district level. Tennis, probably the oldest sport at Trinity, is in good hands since of late have participated in a few tournaments with recognition and a better future for sport is the offering. Similarly Boxing, Table Tennis and Badminton are practised at school level and once facilities are available with advanced coaching these games will also come into the lime light.

He further said, the primary reason why he accepted the post as principal was because he will be the custodian of the School. I have to ensure that the school and its functions are used at its best way possible, both in the short term and long term.

The academic and sports infrastructure has to be fostered and developed from grass root level upwards. Under his leadership Trinitians have had great success both in the sporting and academic field, Udaya Ariyaratne, a retired Brigadier in the Sri Lanka Army, has all the right in the world for any type of logical rhetoric about his students who would have by now won the admiration of even their one time critics. Described by many as an officer and a gentleman, Brig. Udaya Ariyaratne stands out as a role model of a dedicated Institutional head with the staff and students.

Brigadier's main aim is to see all Trinitians stepping out of the school after completion of their studies to be a fully fledged Trinitians, who will be able to stand on their own feet in any society in challenge and overcome all difficulties in life with a smile.

Principal willing to meet anyone

With the support of students, teachers, parents, Old boys and all who love Trinity his dream is to bring back the lost culture and true traditions back to Trinity back to times of former Principal C.J. Oorloff's era when he was also a student at Trinity. His office is open to anyone to meet him from 2.30 to 4.30 pm to discuss any matter pertaining to their children in school and his mobile is on 24 hours. Any suggestions constructive criticisms are welcome for the development of school a firm believer in discipline and punctuality. Yes, that is what all say, but it would be wrong not to go deeper into the background and appreciate just how much the role means to me - he could have been ruined.