Havelock Sports Club, one of the oldest A division rugby clubs in the country, are banking on talented youth coupled with experienced players in their quest for glory this season.
“We are not going behind big names. We have a formidable and balanced side. We are a hoping for a good season,” declared Roshan Opatha, Rugby Secretary of the club confidently at a press conference to unveil their sponsors on Wednesday.
Havelocks led by veteran playmaker and Sri Lanka player Mithun Hapugoda, kick-off their 2020 league campaign against Navy SC in Welisara today. Sri Lanka national cap Lasindu Karunathilaka is the vice-captain of the side.
Their young squad whose average age is 22 has been boosted by three new recruits scrum half Ravin Fernando and prop Janidu Fernando of St. Peter’s and Josephian fly half Santhush Algama.
“Actually our recruitment took place last year when 11 senior players left before the start of the season. We recruited young talented players from schools,” said Opatha unfazed by the annual cross overs.
Havelocks performed creditably last season finishing second in the league, trailing by just two points after the newly introduced Super Round format and regained the prestigious Clifford Cup after 38 years.
The Park Club is powered by three corporate giants this season with Mobitel as the main sponsor the third consecutive year and co-sponsors, EFL for the second consecutive year and Lanka Hospital Ltd as the club medical partner.
“I think the team had performed exceptionally well during the last season. I am sure they are all geared up for the coming season. Just a note of appreciation for Romesh (Abeywickrema) and his team. We would like to wish Havelock Sports Club the best for the upcoming season and hopefully we will continue our partnership in years to come,” said Indika Amarasuriya, Senior Manager Marketing Mobitel.
“EFL is happy to be sponsoring for the second time running. When we embarked last year on a journey, we came up with a short and long-term plan. We also had this idea of helping rugby, including club infrastructure. Apart from that, we have given job opportunities to some of the Havies players so we shape up some good talented professionals at the end of their careers,” said Sammy Akbar, Director of EFL.
“It is indeed a pleasure for Lanka Hospitals to partner with one of the most prestigious clubs in the country. This is the second time we are sponsoring a rugby team. First it has been a school side Sanath Martis coached Royal. Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity,” said Prasad Edward, CEO of Lanka Hospitals Ltd.
“Havelocks is known for tradition and class. They can always do something really good. It’s not the victory that matters for us as sponsor, it is the quality of the club. I am very proud to sponsor a club like this. I am sure it’s a side that could even be champions,” he added.
Havelocks will be coached for the third successive year by Sanath Martis, assisted by former Havies player Lakala Perera while Sunimal Manamperi continues to be trainer of the side.
“We had a different team last year. We had some experienced players who can manage the team. This year 90 per cent we have school leavers and new players,” said Martis, a former Isipathana, CR and FC and Sri Lanka junior international forward.
“What I am trying to do is uplift their experience level, how they can manage the game. They also have to gain some experience by playing,” said Martis who is pleased with the composition of the squad.
“As a coach it is my job to work with what I have. I am also human. I also have limitations because I have to work according to resources which I have. Boys also have their capacity. Acccording to their capacity, I will make a plan and see what we can do,” said the veteran coach.
He was buoyed by the infusion of young talent particularly Josephian fly half Santhush Algama. “Santhush Algama is a super player. He had a very good season with St. Joseph’s. He is a very good fly half and good place kicker,” said Martis who coached St. Peter’s to glory.
He predicted a closely contested season because expectations from all teams are high.
“I don’t think there will be a big gap. All the sides are equally good. The team which makes less mistakes will win on the day. Every team is putting their 100 per cent. The money that they are putting is huge. The expectations from even the Air Force, Navy and Police are high. Our expectations are also high,” said Martis unfazed by players leaving the club.
“Players leaving have been happening for the last 50 years in Sri Lanka rugby. It is not new for people to cross over from club to club. We have to face it. Some of the players left. They have various reasons. I did not get involved in that. I also spoke to club authorities and we tried our maximum to retain them,” he said.
Asked why a champion club like Havelocks could not prevent exodus of players, Opatha said: “We don’t want our players to play for one season and then play for another club unless otherwise it is a strategic requirement of the side. We have a programme going and we want people to respect that programme and come within that frame.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment