The most awaited squash encounter between the two of the most pioneering schools in the sport, Royal College and S Thomas College will take stage on 31st of January at The SSC squash complex.
The event will feature the top junior squash players from both the schools while the old boys who have made their alma mater proud during their school days too will add glamor to the event, much to the delight of students and well-wishers of both these prestigious schools in the country.
The traditional rivalry between the two schools goes back well over a century with the Royal – Thomian cricket big match being in existence for more than thirteen decades with all the pride and glory. Many other sports too have initiated in having their Royal Thomian annual encounters and Squash becomes the latest addition in this tradition. Although rivals in the field of sport, both these schools have maintained the spirit of the game, playing the game adhering to rules and regulations and maintaining the highest standard of discipline etc.
This encounter would definitely help enhance the good old friendship between the two friendly- foe schools while it is quite certain that supporters of both schools would await eagerly to cheer their heroes bring home the inaugural trophy. The Royal -Thomian Squash encounter will further enhance the traditions, culture and shared values of these two premier schools in the country while taking squash to a new level of standard in the country.
Looking back at the history, the game of Squash was introduced to Royal College in 1981 and since then Royalists have competed in both local and international tournaments. Royal College won the overall championship for the 8th consecutive year in 2012 at All Island Inter School Squash Championship while the senior squash team of Royal College won the overall Championship in the same tournament for the 4th consecutive year. Royal College has produced many outstanding squash players who brought glory not only to the school but for the country as well. So far two squash players namely Kasun Weerasuriya and Binura Jayasuriya have won the prestigious Royal Crown in recognition of their excellence in the game .
Squash at S Thomas College got a boost with the opening of the first and the only squash complex equipped with three glass backed squash courts in a school in the year1998. The Thomians were actively involved in the game even before that and history runs as far back as the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Squash Federation in the year 1981 under the leadership of yet another outstanding Thomian Wing Commander Noel Fernando. S Thomas College also went on to clinch both the Team and Overall championships at the inaugural All Island Inter Schools Squash Championship in the year 1999 under the captaincy of Navn Samarasinghe.
Since then S Thomas College too had contributed a lot to the game by producing a lot of National players and even National Champions in the names of Navin Samarasinghe and Gihann Fernando. In fact Navin Samarasinghe went on to win eight Senior National championships and captained Sri Lanka at many international events. The prestigious Thomian Blue, the highest recognition awarded to a sportsman for making a mark in the international arena while still in school was also bestowed upon two squash players in the names of Eranga Alwis and Gihan Suwaris .
With so many records and reputable names both these schools will re-write the history of Sri Lankan Squash on this Friday. The Royal team will be led by Ruweesha Jayawardena while Disura Fernando will lead the Thomian outfit for this historic event. As per the schedule, the Old Boys match will kick off the proceedings at 2 pm while the Boys u-19 B and Boys u-15 ,events will follow. The Boys u-19 main event will be the grand final event
The names of the Team members are as follows
Royal College A team
Ruweesha Jayawardena
Rashendra Rajarathna
Udantha Hewage
Senindu Induwara
Buwenaka De Alwis
Hareen Weerasuriya
S Thomas College A team
Kavinda Hurulle
Nilakshan Jayasekara
Tharindu Jayasekara
Thenuka Indrakumar
Chithesh Rabukpotha
J Paul
Royal College B team
Lakshan Dabare
Rahul De Silva
Kusal Gamage
Sachin Jayasinghe
Deelaka Alawathugoda
Harin Samaratunge
S Thomas College B team
Disura Fernando
Janik Fernando
Hirushka De Silva
Abishek Rabukpotha
Chenuka Jayathilaka
Devin Gunasena
Royal College u-15 team
Druwinka Perera
Heshan Balasuriya
Ashan Atapattu
Senura Rathnasekara
Harinda Kirihena
Yukthi Napagoda
S Thomas College u-15 team
Prashanth Uneshka
Yehan Dias
Minath Wijerathna
Mishara Sapukotange
Oshan Kasthuriarachchi
Ashinda De Silva
The Papare.com wish both the schools and this inaugural event all success.
