Kandy SC to pull out?

Nippon Clifford Cup knock-out tournament 2023

Kandy Sports Club, fresh from winning their eighth consecutive Rugby League title, have indicated that they are likely to pull out from the Clifford Cup knock-out tournament after their request for the Nittawela ground to be used as for their home games was turned down by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR).

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Secretary of Kandy Sports Club, Sujeewa Liyanage said, “The last time Kandy Sports Club played their home games and had the final at Nittawela was in 2017. That was six years ago. It’s no use in playing at Pallekelle as we get only about 100 to 200 spectators whereas at Nittawela one could expect a sellout crowd of more than 4000 including schoolboys.”

“If there is any intention by SLR to promote the Rugby in the outstations then the matches must be played at Nittawela, if Kandy comes in to the final.”

Speaking further Liyanage said, “While the Kandy team goes down to Colombo six or seven times a year the Colombo clubs come up only once and only three teams will have to come up to Kandy twice, if Kandy is in the finals. This year the team travelled four weekends in a row to Colombo. Apart from financial constraints it’s a severe strain on the players travelling up and down, staying away from home, and playing in hot and humid conditions.”

“Is this too much to ask from SLR? Or is SLR only interested in promoting Colombo Clubs because the votes are there?” Liyanage asked.

“The fact that Kandy has won the league 23 times and lost only five times since 1994 and we have won the Clifford Cup 22 times since 1992, and have lost only twice up to now, shows the commitment of the players and coaches and that the Club has looked after the well-being and health of the players. All this success has been achieved overcoming many obstacles, and interference during the past. The conduct of the Kandy players and coaches have been exemplary all along, with strict discipline being maintained by Management,” he went on to add.

Several attempts were made by Daily Mirror to contact the Tournament Committee Chairman of Sri Lanka Rugby Nalin de Silva but to no avail.

SLR draw:

• February 24 - Kandy SC vs CH & FC – Pallekelle, Police vs Navy SC – Race Course
• February 25 - CR & FC vs Navy SC - Race Course, Havelock SC vs AirForce SC
• March 1 and 2 – Semi-finals
• March 5 – Final 

By Shamseer Jaleel