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Sri Lanka, October 23 — Sri Lanka’s national rugby sevens team earned third place, with Hong Kong claiming victory in the Asia Rugby Sevens. Japan took second position. It was encouraging to see that eight players came from Kandy SC, highlighting the club’s significant role in Sri Lankan rugby. The 13-player squad was led by Kandy SC’s Kavindu Perera, one of the most energetic and disciplined sevens players in the country. His leadership and experience at both the club and national levels made him an ideal choice. The other Kandy SC members included Dinal Ekanayake, Chatura Soysa, Gayan Perera, Heshan Jensen, Suranga Kodituwakku, Diluksha Dange, and Srinath Sooriyabandara. The impact of Kandy SC players on Sri Lankan rugby is well-established. Over time, this club has consistently produced national team members renowned for their fitness, style, and tactical awareness, all crucial attributes in the sevens game.

Cue sports experience a resurgence in Kandy

There is an effort to bring back billiards and snooker in Kandy. Billiards and snooker have a long and vibrant history in Kandy. Nowadays, there are no tournaments as there were before. In the past, clubs such as Kings Cue Club, Catholic Club, Lawn Club, Public Service Club, Mahanuwara YMBA, Kandy YMMA, Kandy Garden Club, Kandy Club, Police SC, and Peradeniya Faculty Club took the game seriously, and the tournaments were a major source of entertainment for many players. Now, only the Mahanuwara YMBA and Public Services Club continue to promote the sport. However, billiards and snooker, which has been in decline for many years, seems to be on the verge of making a comeback as some former players are working on detailed plans to revive it. At one time, the most anticipated tournament was the Kandy District ‘Lanka Plate’ Billiards and Snooker Championships, organized by the Sri Lanka Billiards and Snooker Association in collaboration with the Kandy Billiards and Snooker Association. It should be noted that M. J. Marzook Wahid, a resident of Mahaiyawa, went on to represent Sri Lanka at the World Championship in Canada.

Kandy remembers Maurice Perera

Kandy’s rugby enthusiasts cherish the memory of the late Maurice Perera, a renowned player and exceptional coach. In 2013, shortly after celebrating his birthday, he passed away. During his playing career, he was a top-tier prop forward. He developed his rugby skills at Trinity College and was part of the 1953 team led by captain Dharmasiri Madugalle. That year, Trinity secured the Bradby Shield with scores of 13-0 and 3-0, and due to Maurice’s determined performances, he was honored with rugby colors. His education began at Poramadulla Central, followed by Kingswood College and Vidyartha College. In the latter stages of his schooling, he joined Trinity College. While at Trinity, Barrie Cameron invited him to join Kandy Sports Club. From 1954 onwards, he remained associated with the club as a player for many years, later serving as a committee member, secretary, treasurer, vice president, senior vice president, and rugby coach. He was recognized with an honorary life membership. In his first year with Kandy Sports Club, the team made its debut in the Clifford Cup final, facing CR and FC, which they lost. Maurice also played for the All Ceylon team as a prop in 1954. In 1968, he took on the role of coaching Kandy SC, and under the leadership of Y.C. Chang, they were eliminated in the Clifford Cup semifinal by CR and FC. Maurice participated in three Cup finals, two as a player and one as a coach.