Kandy Sports Club to field one team……………………

Kandy Sports Club will be fielding only one team for the inter club knockout tournament says the newly elected president Udaya Balasuriya of the one hundred forty year old Kandy Sports Club. He is all out to give his best and bring a change with equal treatment to every member with the backing of his able committee.
Speaking to me ten hours after the AGM, he said it is only rugby which is keeping the Kandy flag flying at club level, and this sport should be given the best. Hailing form a sports promoting family, his uncle late E.W. Balasuriya, was one of the famous sports promoters in the country. Let it be cricket, football, hockey, iron sports, rugby he was there to give a hand. He is one person who made unheard of persons known in the sports field. He formed his own club in 1960’s, called Kandy Lake Club which club went places in Sri Lanka rugby. At that time he was well supported by his brother Wilson Balasuriya, that is Udaya’s father. This club emerged as the “B” division champions in 1966 and played in the “A” division with some of the country’s top players. It was “EW” who introduced professional players’ and the controlling body of that time did not like this move and showed the exit door to this club. Today even the Forces teams are with professionals.
Later he formed the Kandy Rugby Football Club. After a few years, in 1974, E.W. amalgamated his club with Kandy Sports Club. When late Dr. S. Nadasen was the president, and Kandy Sports Club sported their colours, the jersey and the stockings were EW’s club colours.
So, Udaya should continue his late uncle’s good work in the rugby field, for which he is sure to get the best possible backing from the present king maker Malik Samarawickrema, the man who put the Nittawela Club in the trophy winning mood. It was Malik who brought the club to this position in rugby. If not for him, the Nittawela Club would have been still in the doldrums.
This time Udaya has got a good committee, and all are sure to give their best to make rugby the number one sport in Kandy. He has also got a good captain, that is Fazil Marija, a well seasoned person in the rugby field, and he has Lasantha Wijesuriya as the Rugby Chairman and Kapila Silva as the team manager. Both are knowledgeable and there is a wealth of talent in the team.
What is expected from Udaya is equal treatment to everyone; let it be player, committee member, or member of staff. He should not parachute people from air. This club has a long history and has maintained traditions and should continue with good relationship, making everyone happy. One can now see players who are coming over to Nittawela; some of them who played earlier for this club. It is just like politicians, crossing over where they see good.