Hope lies in what is unseen and it is seen it is indeed a come true. The most unique feature at the 38th edition of the Mercantile Sevens Rugby tournament was to witness a father along with his two sons representing playing in the same team at the same tme.

Noted rugby historians say that this is arguably the first time such an incident has occurred in the annals of Sri Lankan rugby.

Shanaka Fernando

The Sunday Times caught up with the father Shanaka Fernando get his views on what prompted him to start rugby, the way he sees the sport now and what is his secret to longevity as he is 45 years old, in sevens rugby which widely regarded as young adult’s game.

This is his story; “I started off as an athlete. When I practicing the last lap of the relay at my Alma Mater St. Peter’s College, I had to run across the rugby ground. The late great doyen of rugby Archibald Perera was the college coach at the time and he asked to start attending practices. In a friendly match I ran in five tries and was straight away drafted in to the first 15. Mind you prior to Perera inviting me I had no clue what so ever about rugby. Perera taught everything from ball handling to tackling.”

Fernando added; “I represented College for two years playing with the likes of Shane Brohier and Rohan Paulus to name just two of the famous sportsmen of my time. I won college colours in athletics, martial arts, rugby and hockey. After leaving college I joined the now defunct Heath and Company and I did attend a few practice sessions, but my job entailed a lot of travelling to the outstations and therefore I could not progress further in club career. However, I did represent the company at the Mercantile Sevens and as you know now I am Metropolitan and this year marked 27 years of continually playing at the Mercantile Sevens.”

“As for staying fit, there is no secret really. Especially after reaching the age of 30 one should be disciplined about one’s diet and have three square meals and absolutely no snacking in between. One cannot also indulge in junk food and stick to a nutritious diet and maybe run or play some tap rugby every week or two and I also contnue to practice martial arts,” said Fernando.

When asked about rugby then and now, the feeling of playing with his two sons and any advice to interested youngsters, Fernando said in conclusion; “The game has become too commercialized. In my day it was tradition for players leaving Royal and S. Thomas’ to join CR and FC and guys from Isipatana and St. Peter’s to join Havelocks. Do not get me wrong I am not against professionalism as long as the players are are competing because they love the game.

It is sad to see players crossing from one club to another for a couple of thousand rupees. As for my sons, Shehan represented St. Peter’s last year and Chrishan is more into martial arts. Like me Shehan has won colours in both rugby and athletics while Chrishan was picked to represent Sri Lanka in the Martial arts championship in Canada unfortunately he could not go because of his advanced level examination. Chrishan has also won colours in martial arts and played under 13 and under 15 rugby. My advice is simple – be fit to play rugby and do not play rugby to be fit. And as for me I will continue to play in the Mercantile Sevens for as long as I can and it was really an unbelievable feeling to play alongside my two sons this year.”