Army Rugby Players Stimulated Offering New Pitch at Panagoda

The field of Rugby / Football in the Army, which has been recognized island-wide as a formidable team had a new lease of life on Wednesday (4) with the inauguration of the new pitch at Panagoda Army cantonment by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage who attended as the Chief Guest.

Major General C.D Weerasooriya RWP RSP ndu, Chief of Staff and the Director Sports welcomed the Commander of the Army at the entrance to the newly-constructed Rugby-Football ground.

The day’s proceedings set in after the Commander of the Army was invited to unveil a plaque at the new archway into the ground and declare the new pitch, constructed by troops of the Sri Lanka Engineers opened.

Afterwards, the day’s Chief Guest adding new technical facilities to the conduct of the game switched on the new digital scoreboard inaugurating it. Subsequently, Brigadier K.A.W.N.H Bandaranayake USP, Director Sports, together with the Captain in the Army Rugby team introduced Army Ruggerites to the Army Chief, minutes before a friendly exhibition match kicked off.

Leaving memories of the occasion, the Commander of the Army then marked his signature on the Rugby ball and signalled the onset of the exhibition match as roars of applause reverberated.

After the friendly encounter, Brigadier K.A.W.N.H. Bandaranayake USP, Director Sports awarded an appreciative memento to the day’s Chief Guest. The Commander of the Army also reciprocated.

Major General D.G.S Senarath Yapa RWP RSP ndu, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General W.A.S.S Wanasinghe RSP USP ndu, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks were associated with the inaugural ceremony.