Hambantota Sharks

Hambantota Sharks Sports Club was a former Division 'A' rugby union team based in Sri Lanka, that competed in the Dialog Rugby League.

Hambantota Sharks
Full nameHambantota Sharks Sports Club
UnionSri Lanka Rugby Football Union
Founded2013
LocationSri Lanka
RegionHambantota District
Ground(s)Beliatta National Stadium
PresidentJohan Fernando
Coach(es)Nilfer Ibrahim
Captain(s)Janik Jayasuriya[1]
League(s)Dialog Rugby League
Clifford Cup
Dialog Club Rugby Sevens
2013/14 Dialog Rugby League season9

The Hambantota Sharks Sports Club was launched on 15 May 2013 at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.[2] The President of the club is Johan Fernado, whilst the coach was announced as Nihal Gunaratne.[3] K. D. U. Adventures (Pvt Ltd) are the major sponsor of the club, with their home games to be played at Beliatta National Stadium.

The Hambantota Sharks first official scheduled game in the Dialog Rugby League was to occur at Havelock Park, against the league titleholders, Havelock Sports Club[4] however it was abandoned due to a power failure at the grounds.[5] Their debut match was held on 24 November 2013 against Air Force SC at the newly constructed Beliatta National Stadium. The game ended in a 13-13 draw.[6] In December 2013 Nilfer Ibrahim took over as the coach of the club.[7] The Hambantota Sharks finished the 2013/14 season in ninth place with a 1 win, ten loss record, having beaten only Colombo H & FC and drawing with Air Force SC.[8][9]

On the 28 January 2015 the Sharks announced that they were withdrawing from the 2014/15 Dialog Rugby League, midway through the season, due to concerns over players injuries.[10][11] They became the second team to withdraw from Division 'A' competition, following a similar decision by the Colombo Hockey and Football Club, reducing the league down to a seven team contest.[12] In the 2014/15 season the Sharks competed in eight matches, losing six and winning two. The team's coach, Nilfer Ibrahim, stated "that the team will be coming back to the competition next season."[13] The club then released its contracted player to play for other league teams.[10] Ibrahim was subsequently appointed as the coach of Isipathana College and the coach of the national under-19 rugby union team.[14]

References
  1. "Swiss Graduate leads Hambantota Sharks". The Nation. 26 October 2014. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  2. Gammanpila, Asanka (17 May 2013). "Now, Sharks take to Rugby". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  3. Ranathunge, Siyath (1 August 2013). "Sharks from Hambantota to drive National Rugby up a Notch". ThePapare.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  4. Amit, Naushad (10 November 2013). "Hambantota Sharks out for the first time". Sunday Times. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  5. "Hambantota Sharks lose power". Mirror Games. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  6. "Air Force hold Sharks to Draw". ThePapare.com. 24 November 2013. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  7. Jaleel, Shamseer (15 December 2013). "Nilfer Ibrahim appointed Hambantota Sharks Coach". Sunday Times. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  8. Kodithuwakku, Sandun (22 January 2014). "Havies go Second with Emphatic Win". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  9. "Club Rugby League 2013/14 Season – Schedule and Points Table". CricTurf Sri Lanka Sports Online. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  10. Prematilake, Ranil (28 January 2015). "End of the Road for Hambantotat Sharks". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  11. Gammanpila, Asanka (28 January 2015). "Sharks Pull Out Dialog A Division Rugby". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  12. Jaleel, Shamseer (28 January 2015). "CH&FC, Hambantota Sharks to pull out of league competition". Daily FT. Archived from the original on 29 January 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  13. Baskeran, Dinuk (28 January 2015). "Hambantota Sharks withdraws from Club Rugby Season". Daily Sports. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  14. Cader, Saabir (27 August 2014). "Tripe Crown Nilfer to Coach Junior Tuskers". The Papare. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
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