Kandy SC to move with time

Hafiz Marikar

Kandy Sports Club is set for a shake-up to keep pace with the growing trends with the modern game.The Executive Committee at the Kandy SC will implement 15 recommendations made by the Trustees.

Three of the key recommendations enacted for the review conducted are, Changing the Rugby coaching structure, Appointment of the captain for 2013, Restoration of players and enhance their facilities towards dedication, commitment and loyalty. All these recommendations will be up for approval by the Executive Committee at an extraordinary General meeting in December 2012.One senior member had to this to say "Nobody is going to give us a free ride to the top. We've got to compete strongly to be at the top.

With what we are doing here, we recognize the reality that this is a professional game and it must be run in the most business-like way so that the structure of the Club is not only independent but highly professional." According to my experience in the game and Kandy rugby, the next captain for the Kandy Sports Club should most probably be Gayan Weeraratne (Inside three quarter).Gayan, learnt his rugby at Kingswood College, Kandy under former National Coach and currently the Navy Sport Club Ronnie Ibrahim.

Gayan is one of the most dynamic centre three quarters in modern rugby with a career of over five years.Moreover, in the course of playing in all tournaments he plays an integral role in the Kandy SC's triumphs over the last few years.

Famous for his creative and unpredictable playing style, his natural skills were recognized while playing for Kingswood and spotted by Kandy S.C. at that time, following his impressive display. Gayan puts on a fine overall performance which demonstrate the creativity and undeniable flair of the former rugby league players.

Has shown his maturity beyond his years against his opposite numbers in style.Unfortunately due to a shoulder injury this year he has been on the injured list, but came back with a big bang in the Clifford Cup Knockouts. His brother Roshan was declared the best player of the season 2012 at the awards ceremony held recently.Considered brilliant by many avid fans of the sport, Gayan has been favored as the next captain Kandy S.C.2013.Kandy Sports Club are the current Clifford Cup Champions, The club has been the most successful Sri Lankan club winning the prestigious trophies for quite some time.

They have in their custody the Clifford Cup since it was inaugurated in 1950. Kandy SC never lost a Clifford cup final since 1995, where on one occasion they did not take part while there was no tournament in another instance they withdrew due to an alleged injustice by the SLRFU.In the new year the club is hoping to introduce a new rugby coach from New Zealand to take charge of the rugby. According to records the ideal coach for Sri Lankan clubs have proved from either Fiji Island or Western Samoan.Kandy Sports Club recently made the following comments: Will the referees make or break the games by making petty calls within goal kicking range?

Clubs and Players and other like-minded legends of the game with their celebrity status can do much more.

Demand a removal of silly rulings by referees preoccupied with minor technical points of play and remind them of the fact that they are part of the game, not sacrosanct dogmatists. Raise the standard of what they (SLRFU Referees Society) expect from Deans.

The ball's in the court of the like-minded NOT the high-minded. Malik Samarawickrema trustee cum sports promoter of Kandy SC said that the club will once again be a threat to all teams in 2013 than the previous year. He went on to say that the talented and experienced players have all signed up once again with the Nittawela club Nittawela clubs president, Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte is happy with the affairs of the club, and credit should go to the sponsors, Singer Sri Lanka, who joined the scrum due to the efforts of Malik.

Headed by Hemaka Amarasuirya, Singer are the long standing sponsors of the club.Next came in, Etislat who have been with the club for the last three years. Thanks should go to Sanjeewa Samarasinge and Gamika de Silva and new comers Food City.