LV expects Trinity bounce back
L.V. Ekanayake
The Ekanayake brothers, Lakshman and Priyantha, carried a niche for themselves in the sporting history of their Alma Mater – St. Anthony’s College Katugastota. The younger, Priyantha, has just stepped down from his position as Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Rugby. Let’s dwell for the moment on the exploits of ‘LV’.
He played rugger for the school from 1977 to 1981 and led the team in his final year. In Athletics, he threw the Javelin and was Sri Lanka’s number one from the Under-14 stage to the Under-19 one. Cricket also occupied his time from 1978 to 1981. In basketball he toured Bangkok with the Sri Lanka Under-19 team in 1980. He captained and won the Eagle (the school’s highest award) from three of the sport barring cricket. He was the undisputed ‘Allround Sportsman of the Year’ for three years.
Kandy Sports Club was his first choice as a Rugby club. Starting in 1981 under Sen Yu Suan, he captained in 1985. From 1987 to 1991 he turned out for the CR&FC, and captained the Longdon Place Club in 1991. In the following year, he together with Priyantha, Shyam Siddeek, Imti Marikkar and Leroy Fonseka threw in their lot with Kandy SC. This duos sensational headlines, and Kandy SC began their long spell of glory thereafter.
LV appeared in the Sri Lankan Jersey from 1985 to 1996. Having represented the country in like Asiads, he picks out the 1990 event as being the best. Priyantha led the team that lost to South Korea 7-13 in the semi-final. The Koreans stunned the Japanese in the final. LV feels that Asian glory eluded the country on that occasions.New Zealander Jeff Matheson gets his vote as the Best Coach.
A front row forward, LV together with Norman Silva and Hafeel Marso occupied the front row slots for ten years. CH’s Ravi Wijenathan came in when one of the those first choices was rendered host de combat. Dunstan de Silva, Shantha Rohana and Dharmapala (Army) were their succession. LV speaks highly of the front row of his time. He says they kept the ball in the scrum and tried out various plays. The ball is not kept in the scrum for long, now.
Looking back on the school season, LV says that the levels of competition are very high. This gives rise to problems. Fighting among players and spectators is one. The hijacking of players is another. If players are induced to join another school to continue their sport, it should be only after the O/L exam. He says that rural sportsmen from the smaller, less glamorous schools jump at the opportunity of ending up at an elite institution. They become the Dick Whittingtons of the local rugby world.
LV is of the opinion that the highly paid coaches make the referee the scapegoat if their teams suffer a defeat. Admitting that the standard of referring has got to improve, LV suggests that a couple of foreign referees should be brought over to referee and interact with the local counterparts.
Rugby violence is increasing every year. The schools must take responsibility and have a proper security system. The Department of Education must lay down the law. The Ministry of Sport must liaise. Some spectators don’t seem to know the new laws. Yet, they shout and work up others against the referees decisions.
LV speaks highly of the contribution of Malik Samarawickrema to Sri Lankan rugby. In the 1980s, he kept rugby going in the country. Many players came up in life because of him, says LV. His focus shifted to Kandy in 1992 and henceforth, it has been mostly roses all the way. Crystal-ball gazing, Kandy SC should win the trophies this year, too.
Why do players like to transfer to Kandy? They are looked after well financially. The medical facilities are another factor. Above all, it provides an opportunity to play in winning team.
LV expects the CH&FC to give Kandy SC some stiff opposition apart from the Maitland Crescent Club, there is little chance of another stopping the Kandyan Juggernaut.
Royal, with a good coaching staff, were deserved winners this year. Furthermore, Dushanth Lewke has a tremendous amount of experience as a player at the highest level.
Looking ahead, in addition to the Josephians and the Peterites, Isipathana and Trinity should be in the forefront. Patana had a young side and most of them will be available.
LV is confident that Trinity will turn the corner. The reason for optimism is that they will be coached by former Sri Lankan winger Imti Marikkar. LV feels that Marikkar is an excellent coach and, moreover, one who is bristling with new ideas. A fresh approach should work.