KIA boost for Royal rugby team

Yasaratne GAMAGE

Royal College, Colombo 1st XV rugby team will be sponsored by KIA Motors (Lanka) Limited this season. The official signing of documentation regarding the sponsorship agreement took place at Royal Skills Centre auditorium on Wednesday at a gathering chaired by the Royal College principal Upali Gunasekera, and with the participation of KIA Motors top administrators and Royal College rugby officials.

The agreement was signed by Royal Rugby Advisory Committee chairman Jehan Canagaratna and KIA Motors Lanka Chairman Ajit Jayaratne which was presented to Royal College principal by Director of the KIA Motors J M Swaminathan.

The team is led by fly half Arshard Jamaldeen who scored over 100 points last year while nine other coloursmen - Iroshan de Alwis, Lahiru Pavithra, Wasim Bawa, Damian Ratwatte, Rimzi Jamaldeen , Ijas Bohoran, Ravishan Dasanayake, Andrew Siriwardena, and Madusha Kularatne will turn out for Royal this year.

Speaking at the occasion Royal College principal Upali Gunasekara and Royal Rugby advisory chairman Jehan Canagaratne both expressed their sincere gratitude to KIA Motors for coming forward to sponsor the team despite the big expenditure.

KIA Motors CEO and MD Mahen Thambiah pointed out that their contribution is a privilege for them to join hands with a prestigious college like Royal and hoped that the team would be victorious throughout the season having emerged unbeaten league champions last year.

A total sum of Rs 14.8 million has been budgeted for this rugby season for all age groups from under 10 to 18 and the 1st XV team including tournament participation and rugby development activities in Royal , said Jehan Canagaratne when asked about the expenditure for rugby this season.