Sports

Sports

Cops are fighting a relentless battle to stay alive
By Bernie Wijesekera
Police SC, enjoyed a cherished rugby history. About a decade and a half ago the Police team was one of the main suppliers to the national grid. They had quality players, who could have matched among some of the best in Asia.

Today the Law Enforcement Officers are fighting a relentless battle to stay alive in the game due to various factors. The cream of outstanding sportsmen drawn from the elite schools then joined the Police. They worked and played for the right reasons, and maintained the dignity of the Service on and off the field.

What a team in the 80's the cops won everything on offer. Won the league from 1984 to 89. During this period Daya Jayasundera - a player, referee coach and administrator, coached them. In the past had great place-kickers like Hajireen, Charles Wijewardena and Hafeel Marso (at preset a member of the rugby committee).

In 1984 Police won the league championship under Upali Withanage, - '85 Sunil Sahabandu, '86 H. Premasiri, '87 Muruga Jayaratne, '88 Ajantha Samarakoon, ;89 M.H. Marso. Last they won the league under Hemantha Yatawara in 1991. Then came the migrant season when some key players left the Police in search of greener pastures.

Nihal Samarakoon, secretary of rugby was interviewed. He said, in the past the Police were fortunate to have some outstanding past stalwarts - the likes of late Kavan Rambukwella, Gamini Fernando, Ajit Abeyratne, Anton Benedict (who captained the Police and Havelocks) coached the Police and was concerned about developing the game at national level.

Last year it was S.W. Chang. They had the skills knowledge and communication. Apparently, better than the foreigners. Police SC are grateful to them.

Q: Who is coaching the team this season (after S.W. Chang)?
A: Former Police SC and Sri Lanka scrum half Sudath Sampath. He is knowledgeable and has wide experience.

Q: How many in the squad?
A: About 25. They are keen and are prepared to learn. At present the team is training five days a week (including physical training). Mr. Nimal Lewke DIG is chairman of rugby. A keen student of the game looking players needs personally.

Q: Today Police rugby is faced with problems not much of quality players like in the past - Any reason?
A: The present recruitment process required three passes in the A/L to join as a sub-inspector. Some outstanding sportsmen don't possess these qualifications. Further they have lucrative opportunities in other fields. This is not confined to Police alone.

Q: Don't you agree that sports should be added to the curriculum? Via sports one could build better understanding and public relationship. Not merely adhering to the latters of the laws. To bring about peace and harmony.
A: Yes. I think sports qualifications should be considered in any walk of life. Without talented rugby player Police has to start at grassroots level. Despite setbacks keeping the game alive among the rank and file. There are children of past top players who donned the blue jersey. But none of them have joined the Police. Apparently they have reasons to do so.

This year's team will be led by Nalin Welagedera the former Thurstanite No. 8. There are quite a number of seasoned players in the calibre of second - rower P. Wilson of basketball fame. Anura Fernando (centre) played for Sri Lanka. Harshana Wijeweera (fly-half) a competent place -kicker, who has represented the country and Nilusha Fernando. There are no big names. Police were placed third in last year's league. Confident of making an impact and creating a surprise against the big guns. Names are secondary when the Cops take the field.

The squad
Props - Shantha Rohana, Anura Fernando, C. Hewawasam, Ajith Priyantha, Hookers - Chaminda Silva, Muthugala, Locks - P. Wilson, A. Dharmatilleke, Asela Vitharne, Dinesh Kumara, Flankers - D. Herath, S.B. Kulatunga, T.D. Samarasinghe, No. 8 - Nalin Welagedera, Scrum Halves - Anjula, Sujeewa, Sampath, Fly Halves - H. Wijeweera, Sudesh Dissanayake, Wingers - M. Jabbar (last year's Kingswood player) Ayesh Hussain, Janaka Werasinghe (St. John's, Nugegoda), Ranjith Kumara (Vidyartha), Centres - C. Thushara, N. Fernando, T. Muthushanka, Fullbacks - M. Manoj and D. Pubudu, Manager - Nilame Samarakoon.

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