Havelock Sports Club has suffered the most by way of losing players to rival clubs who entice them with higher payments. They have lost four competitive players and coach Sanath Martis charged that rival clubs do not have the ability to develop players to reach high standards while depending on other people’s players.
“We develop players but the others take away these ready-made players from us,” said Martis.
“We lost many players to CR and CH in 2018 and now we have lost more players to Navy and CR and FC. We are short of forwards to replace those who have left us,” added Martis.
The Sabar brothers Daiyan and Zayan who were good forward players have gone to CR while centre Dinuk Amarasinghe has sustained a critical injury and has undergone surgery that will keep him out of action the whole of this season.
Prop forward Thanuja Jayaweera has joined Navy SC while Shaukat Lahir has hung up his boots for good.
Nevertheless, Havelocks contend they will leave aside the player crossovers and field a fairly competitive team this year with many new players coming into their fold. With Martis who is well known to develop them into good players the side is expected to offer stiff competition to their opponents.
Just a few schoolboy players have joined the club this year. They are from St. Peter’s, Trinity, Isipathana and Ananda Colleges.
Ashel Ranasinghe is a scrum half who has joined them from St. Peter’s. Amith Kulatunga and Deeshapa Kulathuga are two players from Trinity College who are turning up at the Park. Nipun Athukorale is from Isipathana and Chathiya de Soysa is from DS Senanayake who has also enlisted.
Naizer Nafeez is a prop forward from Zahira College while Santhush Algama is from St. Joseph’s College turning up for training.
Damian Ratwatte is a fly half from Royal College along with Sandesh Jayawickrema seen at practices.
Farshed Hassan is one player who has not played rugby at school and was with the Police SC who is trying his hand as a three-quarter player.
Arusha Gimhanna is from Ananda College trying out at the Park Club.
Havelocks will also see some experience hands turning up for practices. One is Chanaka Chandimal who has played for the national team. He has also played for Air Force, Navy, CR and now back at Havelock SC.
Randitha Warnapura is a former Police and CR player who is trying his hand in the back division. Christian Delile is also a very impressive player who has played since 2018.
Matheesha Sarathchandra and Janidu Fernando are also two experienced players who can boost the strength for Havies.
“I am trying my best to build a strong team with the limited resources that is given to me. I hope they are talented enough to catch up with the fitness and style to match the opponents at any given time,” said Martis.