OWSC honours outgoing President Dharshana Liyanage for remarkable leadership
View(s):
The Old Wesleyites Sports Club (OWSC) expressed its heartfelt gratitude to outgoing President Dharshana Liyanage for his remarkable leadership over the past two years, which has profoundly transformed the club and set a promising course for its future.
Assuming his role in October 2022, Liyanage took charge during a challenging period marked by post-pandemic recovery and economic difficulties. His creative leadership guided OWSC through a critical phase, characterised by enhanced infrastructure, uplifted sports, membership expansion, and financial stability.
From the outset of his first term, Liyanage initiated several pivotal projects. His commitment to modernising the club was evident in the establishment of OWSC’s new office and the launch of the popular Track97 Family Music Lounge. Improvements to the children’s play area, the introduction of a new financing system, and operational enhancements laid the groundwork for further development. His talent for nurturing new leadership within the club was particularly commendable.
During his second term, Liyanage maintained this momentum, overseeing upgrades to the main building and revitalised event spaces and facilities. Liyanage was a past cricketer from Wesley College and his passion for sports, especially within the Wesley fraternity, was a cornerstone of his leadership.
In celebration of Wesley College’s 150th anniversary, OWSC hosted a series of high-profile sporting events, including Sathasivam Trophy ‘Double Blue Beyond Border Cricket League’, Bens vs Wesley Masters Cricket encounter and the renowned ‘Double Blue Hockey 7s’ are few of the main sporting events. These events united Wesley alumni from around the world and solidified OWSC’s reputation as a premier hub for sporting excellence.
His unwavering support for OWSC sports is truly commendable. During his two-year term, the club has excelled in four key sports: cricket, hockey rugby and football. Liyanage’s strategic approach resulted in unprecedented membership growth. Under his leadership, OWSC achieved a record influx of new members—the highest in a single term—bolstered by effective membership drives and innovative club initiatives, significantly enhancing both patronage and revenue and securing the club’s financial foundation for years to come. Committed to the well-being of OWSC’s staff, Liyanage introduced new welfare programmes and launched staff recognition initiatives, fostering a motivated and collaborative environment. His efforts to improve operational efficiency, including a revamped website and updated kitchen systems, added a surrounding music system, enhanced the overall member experience.
“As OWSC bids farewell to Liyanage, the club reflects on the lasting impact of his leadership. He has not only strengthened the club’s present but has also laid a solid foundation for its future. The OWSC community is immensely grateful for his contributions and is eager to build on the momentum he has established,” issuing a statement, OWSC said.