HSBC boost for CR and FC rugby team

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

The renewal of HSBC sponsorship for Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club (CR and FC) took place at the Grand Pavilion Club House with the participation of HSBC's Sri Lanka and Maldivives CEO Nick Nicolaou yesterday. HSBC will continue their partnership with CR and FC for the fourth consecutive year this season.

CR and FC President Rienzie Fernando said it was great to have a sponsor who is passionate about rugby and its development, locally and globally. "The club is proud to have the backing of an internationally reputed brand such as HSBC," Fernando said.

He said they have made plans to include three New Zealand club players for two three quarter positions and a forward. Sabir Salamankhal from Oakland has arrived in the island and the other two foreign players are due soon.

CR and FC will field a young formidable side under the captaincy of national player Lasintha de Costa. Costa, an outstanding centre three quarter has been playing for the club since 2006 and has also represented Sri Lanka at the Rugby Asiad, Hong Kong Sevens, Asian Games Sevens and HSBC Asian Five Nations Tournaments.

More than 80 percent of the team will comprise school players of yester year and they are in very good form under the expertise of legendary coach C.P. Abegunawardana, former Sri Lanka National team's Assistant Coach and former CR player cum coach. Former National and CR and FC captain Viraj Prasantha is the Assistant Coach of the team. CR and FC will also have the services of Shehan Pathirana who led an unbeaten Royal College side last year and some talented players who represented Trinity and Isipathana Colleges last season.

"Having lost their position in 2011 season the CR and FC hopes to make a winning comeback this time, aiming to placed as number 1 or 2 in the league tournament and aspire to become the champs in the Knock-out tournament scheduled for August," said Fernando.

Nick Nicolaou said as a global sponsor of rugby, HSBC is committed to develop rugby throughout Asia Pacific, where they have identified as a growing key market. "Rugby holds the values of sportsmanship, courage, skills and respect which HSBC appreciate as a bank and is the reason for sponsoring the sport," Nicolaou said.

He said they are happy to continue the sponsorship for the fourth year with CR and FC, one of the leading rugby playing Clubs in the country and wished them a successful season.

The sponsorship covers all main tournaments including Inter Club Rugby Sevens, Dialog Leauge, Dialog Clifford Cup and the President's Cup tournaments.

CR and FC Captain Lasintha de Costa, its Secretary Hamza Hassanally and HSBC Head of Marketing, Group Communications and Corporate Sustainability Tharanga Gunasekera were also present.