President gives helping hand to boost Havelocks rugby

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday handed over a sum of Rs. one million from Sri Lanka Telecom to develop rugby at Havelocks Sports Club, Colombo.

Havelocks Sports Club established in 1915 is one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country which has produced not only several outstanding ruggerites but also champion teams.

The park club had the distinction of winning the Clifford Cup - club rugby’s richest prize when it was on offer for the clubs for the first time in 1950 and 1951.

They reigned supreme in the club rugby scene in the 1960’s and 1970’s bagging the trophy five times in the 1960’s and on five occasions in the 1970’s. The Park Club also had the honour of winning the club rugby Sevens Title in the inaugural year in 1977 and bagged it in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1995, 2000 and 2001.

The lads from Havelock Park also clinched the Premier Champions Trophy in 2003 by edging out arch rivals CR 21-19 in the final. Last year there was a rugby revival at Havelocks when under the leadership of Kavinda Jayasena they finished third in the Caltex ‘A’ Division League by winning seven matches out of 12.

The Park Club has produced many ruggerites who have donned the Sri Lanka Jersey with distinction - Nimal Maralande, Maurice Anghie, Maurice Fairweather, Dicky Jayatilleke, Gogi Tillekeratne, Tyronne Haldenbottle, Jaeyer Rodrigueasz, Glan Vanlangenberg, Jupana Jayawardena, the Rutman brothers Jeff and Dan, Thajone Serangham, Michael Jayasekera and P. L. Munasinghe.

During the last two decades Hishan Abdeen, Kolitha Gunatilleke, Chaminda Rupasinghe, Nishantha Chanaka, Graham Raux and Ravi Jayasuriya have kept the Havelocks flag flying with their deeds on the rugby field.

The President who appreciated the efforts of Sri Lanka Telecom to foster sports in the country said that the substantial sponsorship would enable the park club to once again emerge as a force to be reckoned with as they have several talented youngsters in their rank.