SACK shuttle champs 2015
St. Anthony’s College has made a mark as the Kandy school that produced the most test caps. Their contribution to national rugby has been
(Front row, from left): Niroshan John (Head Coach), Sachintha Rajapakse (Capt.), Rev. Fr. Henry Wijeratne (Principal), A.B. Gangoda (MIC), Joy Patrick (Asst. Coach) (Back row, from left): Thilina Priyadasun, Bavantha Ratnayake, M.R.M. Shadir, Melith Tennekoon, Hirun Werellagama, Nirmal Silva.
immense. The 1980s was a golden era for the Anthonians in table tennis, with national champions such as Mahinda Dandeniya, Christopher Arnolda and Umesh de Alwis.
However, success at Badminton has been fitful. Udaya Weerakoon, now an Airline pilot, was the national champion in the mid eighties. Nirodha de Costa and Eric Kurukulasooriya were two of the other leading lights. K.B. Welagedera was the successful coach then. There was a dip thereafter, only for the sport to be given a fresh lease of life by the efforts of Chinthaka Fernando.
Recently, the Anthonians emerged Division ‘A’ champions at the All-Island Inter-School Under-19 Tournament worked off at the Royal College Indoor Complex. They have won this title in the past, too. This was at the third time of asking, having lost to the St. Sebastian’s College in 2013 and to Nalanda College last year.
This year Royal College stretched the Katugastota shuttlers all the way before being edged out 2-3 in the semi-final. The final against the S. Thomas’ College was an easier affair that ended 3-1 in favour of skipper Sachintha Rajapakse’s side.