CR and FC to celebrate their centenary on a grand scale-by Althaf Nawaz
A press briefing was held regarding the centenary celebration of CR and FC club at their Pavillion on Sunday. Seated from left- Zulkar Hamid, Secretary Centenary Committee, Jehan CanagaRetna, Chairman, Centenary Committee, Ted Muttaiah, President of CR and FC, Jakque Diasz, General Secretary, CR and FC and Dilroy Fernando, Tournament Commotte Chairman. Pix by-Wasitha Patabandige
Source:Dailynews
Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club kicked off their centenary year celebrations on September 25 ending on September 24 next year. All arrangements and their programme was disclosed at a press briefing held at their club house on Sunday.
The launch of the release of a limited edition publication of the clubs journey since its inception aptly titled “Tackling Change: CR and FC 100 years” took place in the presence of rugby hierarchy of the games governing body along with Western Province Union, Society of Rugby Referees, A-Division Clubs and Schools Association alongside their members spanning several decades. Summa Navratnam, the clubs senior most captain also a honorary life member, a past Preaident and one-time fastest man in Asia was presented with the first copy.
Widely recognized as the “Home of Rugby” in the Country, the club was founded way back in 1922 by late E.H. Joseph subsequently which turned out to be one of the pioneer clubs handling the oval shaped ball. CR Initially launched the game of rugby as a sport with a membership drive of less than 100 people, where it has now grown from strength to strength to accommodate 12 sporting disciplines while increasing the membership drive to over 1,100 people. The centenary celebrations will be sponsered by NDB Bank, Soith Asia Gateway Terminal, Colombo Logistics and Nawaloka School of Higher Education.
CR has played a pivotal role in developing and popularizing Rugby while becoming the cynosure of all eyes granting opportunities for school leavers to continue playing the game of Rugby. They are also instrumental in producing several iconic players who donned the National jersey representing the country in various age categories.
The celebration process will be held in various stages with a pre-Christmas celebration on December 16 and many events are listed out in their calendar until next year. One of the key events in the agenda is the Rugby 7’s tournament from April 7 to 9 with the participation of both segments including men and women. CR under the leadership of Ted Hiran Muttaih who hails from a rugby loving family also is a former player represented Royal College, Kandy and CR later donned the National jersey has played a phenomenal role in their success story so far. He along with other members of the celebration committee opted to grant permission to encourage the schools segment with the participation of ten leading schools in schools arena.
Dilroy Fernando the tournament committee chairman elaborated how the tournament will be conducted in three days. On the first day, April 7 the schools matches will be played until the semi final stage while the women will lock horn on April 8 while the Mens matches and the other semi finals and final matches will be played on the last day from 8 am onwards. In addition to four women’s teams including Army, Navy, Air Force and hosts CR, the organisers have extended an invitation to two Club teams from Indonesia, Thailand and India to compete in this segment. The organisers are in discussion with some countries in region to obtain few referees to officiate and look forward to conduct the tournament under carnival atmosphere where spectators will be able to witness the game of rugby with their family and friends with unlimited entertainment all around the ground.
Ted Hiran Muttaiah speaking to media said that
“Today marks a remarkable journey not just for CR but also for Rugby in the country. After the club was founded way back in 1922 by Colonel E.H. Joseph dedicated to then Ceylon. It thrived in the midst of much fancied European competition and quickly established a high reputation in the ensuing decades as an integral part of the game in Sri Lanka.”
The School teams which will vie for honours – S.Thomas, Trinity, Zahira, Royal, St.Josephs, St.Peters, Isipathana,Wesley, Science and St.Anthonys, Kandy.
