Mobitel throws key assist to Havies as main sponsor

Friday, 29 November 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mobitel has come on board as the main sponsor of the Havelock Sports Club, who claimed the Clifford Cup and emerged as the league runners-up in 2019.

EFL and Lanka Hospitals will also support the park club as cosponsors for the upcoming season. This will be Mobitel’s third consecutive year as the club’s sponsor while it will be EFL’s second year. For Lanka Hospitals, this will be its maiden occasion sponsoring the park club.

As the oldest ‘A’ Division club in the country, Havelock Sports Club will kick off the season today with an away game at Welisara against Navy. They are led by national Sevens and Fifteens player Mithun Hapugoda, who is assisted by Lasindu Karunathilake.

No one can write them off as they are the dark horse of the tournament and are eager to shock more than one team in the League and Clifford Cup.

All three sponsors were happy to sponsor the oldest rugby-playing ‘A’ division club in the country which maintains high standards on and off the field. They spoke of the high degree of confidence and self-belief that Havelocks will bring to their rugby and were happy to support the club.

Havelocks Rugby Secretary Roshan Opatha, speaking to the Daily FT, said: “Many senior players left because we could not meet their demands. As a leading club, we need to look to the future of the club and we cannot support only a few whose demands are very high. Dinuk Amarasinghe, Sharo Fernando, Sandun Herath, Reza Mubarak and a few of the senior players left but we got some talented school-leavers who will be real assets to the cub. We got Ravin Fernando, Santhush Algama and Channa Shammikara back at the club. Furthermore, our line is strengthened with the return of former Thomian skipper and national Sevens player Naveen Heenakankanmge after his short stint with CH.”

Havelocks President Romesh Abeywardena, speaking to the Daily FT, said: “We spend nearly 60% of our budget on players. At the same time, we need to manage the remaining 40%, which is a tough task. We salute our sponsors and will always do our level best to keep their logo flying high. We will bank on players who are affordable to the club and will remain loyal.”

Havelocks Head Coach Sanath Martis said: “All eight sides in the league are equally good and you cannot write off any team. At Havies, we have a relatively young outfit with an average age of 22 and they will need exposure as many of them will be making their club debut. Though we lost many senior players, I am not worried as a coach since we have some very talented school-leavers with us. For example, we have Abdullah. Last season his work rate was very high and he played magnificently in his debut season with the club. These youngsters will mature with experience. We need a decent start and a good end to the first season in order to repeat last year’s solid performance.”

“The side which makes fewer errors will win the game. So all teams will need to play their best on the day without relaxing and thinking that they are the best,” Martis explained. Martis will be assisted by Lakala Perera while Sunimal Manamperi will operate as the team’s trainer. Havelocks Treasurer Thusith Peiris and Secretary Tiny Samat were also present at the sponsorship ceremony. (SJ)

Pix by Chamila Karunarathna