A felicitation ceremony for Antonian Rugby titled ‘Eagles Unleashed 2014’ was held on 21st of March at Mahaweli Reach Hotel Kandy.
The event was organized by the Old Antonian Rugby Football Club the main governing body of Rugby at St. Anthony’s College Kandy. The event’s objective was to felicitate the first XV Antonian Rugby team as well as to value the main sponsor of Antonian Rugby for this season, the automobile colossus Land Rover.
The event was adorned by the Chief Guest Sheran Fernando, the Managing Director of Land Rover Sri Lanka along with Rev. Fr. Henry Wijerathne the Principal of St. Anthony’s College and many other distinguished guests and old boys. The event was conducted by Nirmal Fernando the secretary of Antonian Rugby Trust Fund.
The President of the OARFC Mr. Mark Stephen declared open the ceremony with welcome address followed by the speech of Rev. Fr. Principal. While congratulating the Rugby team and thanking the sponsors, the Principal stated that it is the confidence of the legacy spanning over 150 years which has brought the college to stand firm and high.
Subsequently the unveiling of the Jersey was marked by two legendary Antonian Rugby players Priyantha Ekanayke and Jude Pillai. The Jersey was handed over to the team members and the officials by the functionaries present at the ceremony followed by the speech of the Antonian Rugby Advisory committeeman, the Chairman of Dima Lanka Mr. Anul Mendis.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest Mr. Sheran Fernando noted that at the request of sponsorship all he could say was yes and that it is an immense pleasure to be a binding force for Antonian Rugby. A press briefing took place as media representatives were also present at the function pursued by giving away tokens of appreciation and gifts to the VIPs.
A visual demonstration named ‘Antonian Rugby Profile’ was displayed giving out a chronicle of the Antonian Rugby. Then a sudden spectacular event occurred as the team members dressed in their Jerseys steamrolled through the doors of the hall and performed their robust Antonian Haka making the evening a diverting one.
Mr. Priyantha Ekanayake concluded the event paying gratitude to all those who have given enormous support to bring Antonian Rugby into such status. The program indeed marked a fabulous gesture that has not been witnessed in the past. The evening continued with glamorous cocktails and dinner and much color was added by music groups and dancing troops present at the ceremony. The event took place two days ahead of the beginning of the schools rugby league for St. Anthony’s College Kandy.
