- Coach Martis at the helm of a 23-year wait for league glory!
The Colombo Hockey and Football Club (CH&FC) is one of the most prestigious, century-old clubs in the island nation, playing the oval ball game in the top division with a long-prided heritage. In its rich history as one of the oldest surviving clubs in Sri Lanka in the quartet of the 150-year-old Gymkhana Club, CH&FC, CCC, and Queens Club, rugby union has played a major role, with many national players coming out of their system.
The 2023/24 tournament is tipped to be a season of redemption with a fresh outlook for the pink and white shirts. The club has got the youngest Captain-Vice Captain combo in the overall season this year. Having last won the League title in the new millennium of 2000 under Nazim Mohammed, CH have a 23-year drought to fill.
One of the first eight premier clubs in the island to start the League in the 50s, rugby saw its origins at the club in 1879 when the Colombo Football Club was established, playing their first match against a “world” team. Colombo Hockey was established in 1892. In 1896, the football and hockey clubs combined to form the CH&FC. The club was based at the Colombo Race Course and catered to hockey and rugby (football) enthusiasts.
In 1962, when the Army acquired the grandstand and the racecourse, CH&FC moved to their current home at Maitland Crescent. Until 1965, all members and playing members of the club were required to be British; the club then allowed Ceylonese to join. In 1971, Bryan Baptist was appointed as the first Sri Lankan Captain of CH Rugby.
CH&FC this time around will be led by Avantha Lee True-Ching. At 25 years of age, he is the youngest Captain in the 2023/24 inter-club rugby season. The former Wesley College skipper, playing at centre, started off his maiden club career months after the school’s season in 2017 along with his twin Avishka Lee (half-back). Avantha is currently the most capped player in the outfit. Interestingly, CH&FC has got the youngest Vice Captain in the league, with Hirusha Sampath as Lee’s deputy. The former Kingswood College player joined the Gymkhana Club right off school in 2019.
Veteran Coach Sanath Martis, who needs no special introduction, made his second coming to the CH&FC after 2013, but this time he is here to bring back the glory of the club, which had lacked silverware for decades. He comes after six successful seasons at Havelocks. Coach Martis will be ably assisted by former Sri Lanka, Havies, and CH rep Lakala Perera, who paired with Coach Martis in the past few seasons when they built up brilliant units at the Park Club.
As an elite top division rugby club in Sri Lanka, CH&FC can proudly call themselves the only club with a female Team Manager in the likes of Udani Edirisinghe, who has been carrying out her duties since the 2019/20 season.
Starting off the season opener against probably one of the toughest opponents and defending champions – Kandy – CH went down fighting 22-13, giving a hard time at the Nittawela fortress. Later they pulled off a valiant victory against the Havies at Havelock Park under some sloggy underfoot conditions, 20-13, to send warning signals to every other team that they are here for “the big W”. Last week, against Navy, these lads proved that after thumping the latter at Welisara 34-14.
They have some must-win games ahead to secure a top-four spot to play the cup segment, which they are pretty confident of achieving with a well-disciplined and focused setup.
CH will play CR&FC on Friday (28) at Longdon Place – 3.45 p.m.
Photos Eshan Dasanayaka