We want one hundred percent commitment from our players – Malik
Former Thomian and Medical Practitioner Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte was re-elected for the record 20th time as President of the Kandy Sports Club at the 139th Annual General meeting held at the Nittawela Club House.
Former Trinitian and National fifteens skipper Sean Wijesinghe was elected as the rugby captain of the outfit for the coming rugby season which will be kicked off in November this year. The club is also fortunate to get back Johan Taylor as the Head Coach who will be back at the club in one month’s time.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, trustee former Royal scrum half Malik Samarawickrema said: “Our first priority is to bring back the League and knock out trophies. We have a huge task on our hands. We have been winning trophies since 1992 but in the recent past almost 3 to 4 teams have improved tremendously and narrowed the gap. It’s good for the game in the end. Our guys are a disciplined lot and I am very confident with Sean Wijesinghe, leading the outfit and getting back Johan Taylor our target is within reach. He continued and said: “We need 100 percent commitment from the players and will select the team with youth and experience. Our ‘B’ team won the league and the plate trophy at the sevens. This speaks volume on their capabilities and would be good feeder for their senior team.
Malik praised former Kandy SC and Sri Lanka player Nalaka Weerakody for his contribution in grooming the young players to win the ‘B’ league.
“We will not go for big names. We will always give equal opportunity of youth and experience and each and every player will need to earn their place. It’s not
reserved for any.”
He ended by saying, “We will bring down 3-4 quality overseas players and also look at the performances of our last year’s players first before deciding whom to bring down.”
| Patron: Dharmasiri Madugalle President: Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte Trustee: Malik Samarawickrema, Hemaka Amarasuriya Senior Vice President: Udaya Balasuriya Vice Presidents: Mahesh Weerasinghe, Hafiz Marikar Secretary: Leslie De Zoysa Treasurer: Channa Jayatilake Ground Secretary: Milroy Mendis Pavilion Secretary: Maurice Joachim Bar Secretary: Janaka Pathirana Games Captain: Sean Wijesinghe Committee Members: Anton Nanayakkara, Lasantha Wijesuriya, Anuruddha Ranasinghe, Sujeewa Liyanage, Niyaz Majeed, Lasantha Fonseka, Upali Silva, Upul Jayasuriya, Dr Anura Welikala and Shamseer Jaleel. Billiards: Arafath Abdeen Indoor Games: Nalaka Weerakody Rugby Chairman: Lasantha Wijesuriya SLRFU Representative: Sajith Mallikarachchi CPRFU Representative: Niyaz Majeed Coach: Johan Taylor Team Manager: Kapila Silva |