Champion Air Force rugby team felicitated by Air Marshal Pathirana

Tuesday, 9 November 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Warrior Trophy Rugby Sevens 2021 winners Sri Lanka Air Force Rugby outfit were felicitated by the Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at a ceremony held at Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters in Colombo recently.

Sri Lanka Air Force Commander

Sudarshana Pathirana

Air Force Rugby Head Coach Shamly Nawas

The winning team was coached by former Isipathana, CR&FC, national player and Thomian Head Coach Shamly Nawas with H.D.S.D Soysa assisting him. Former Thurstan rugby player, Group Captain Subash Jayathilake was their Rugby Chairman. Further Nawas’ hard work was rewarded when four of his team members – Nuwan Perera, Ishara Madushan, Anjula Hettiarachchi and Ramitha de Silva – were named in the national pool of 20 players for the Asia Rugby Sevens 2021 in the UAE.

Air Force Rugby Chairman, former Thurstan and Air Force rugby player Group Capt. Subash Jayathilake speaking to Daily FT, said: “Sri Lanka Air Force rugby team achieved this historical win mainly due to Commanders Cup exposure and it’s down to their experience plus the hard work, dedication, commitment and proper training with Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana’s guidance and support. He was a leader for our boys and supported in all possible ways. Our players too sacrificed a lot amidst their personal commitments. A big thank you for the Head Coach Shamly Nawas.

“We selected players who are not famous among the Rugby arena, but they were very committed towards a winning culture”.

(SJ)