Havies get boost from Nation Lanka

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Nation Lanka Finance Pvt Ltd has came forward to sponsor one of the oldest rugby playing clubs in the country, Havelock Sports Club this season. It was disclosed to the media at a press briefing held at the Club House recently.

Havelock rugby team did not perform to their members' expectations and experienced an awful season last year. They have not won a shield since their last triumph in 2003, the Jonston Fernando Premier Champions Trophy.

Havelock SC rugby Director Ana Saranapala said that after a horrible set back during the past few years the club will field a formidable side this year and will sure to bring some surprises to the local rugby scene.

"We have recruited some outstanding young ruggerites who have excelled in school rugby just after they left their schools and worked hard to form a strong team.

Our main objective is to win a trophy this season and I am very confident of these young lads that they are capable of achieving it," Ana expressed his confidence. He thanked the Nation Lanka Finance Pvt Ltd for the sponsorship which will greatly support to preserve the standard of the Havelock rugby.

Havelock team will include two foreign players who played rugby at the provincial level in New Zealand. Atella Uaisele who played in the centre position for Tonga SC and Angsta Sae who occupied at No8 in Samog SC will play a major role in the Havelock team.

Speaking to the media Angsta said that we have shared our foreign experiences and strategies with local players and just after three days of practicing together we gained a rapid progress as a team. "We are ready to face any challenge and hope to play for the best of our ability," he explained.

More than 90 percent of the Havelock team will consist of last year's school leavers from Wesley College, Science College, S Thomas's Mount Lavinia and few out station schools.

The Nation Lanka Finance Pvt Ltd Marketing and Business Development Manager Richard Murcott said as the company get into a new path with the new Director Board, they have decided to join hands with Havelock SC, which is a prestigious rugby club in the country.

He further said that they are pleased to be the principal sponsor of Havelock rugby and hope the collaboration will bring fruitful results to both parties.

Nation Lanka Finance Pvt Ltd CEO Bede Fernando, Consultant Ajitha Pasquel with several directors of the company represented the sponsors while Havelock SC Patron Gamini Fernando, President Tyronne Coonghe and few officials of the club were present on behalf of the Havelock SC at the press conference.