Sri Lankan rugby legend Y. C. Chang no more

Friday, 24 January 2025 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Y. C. Chang

Former Carey, Trinity, Kandy SC, Havelock SC, CH and FC, national player and President of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), Y.C. Chang passed away in Colombo two days ago.

Chang is leaving behind a legacy that has profoundly shaped the sport in the country. His funeral was held two days back closing the chapter on a life that was dedicated to elevating rugby in Sri Lanka.

Chang’s journey in rugby began at Carey College and later Trinity College where his early promise as a player was evident in both rugby and cricket. He started his club career in 1961 with Havelocks, contributing to their Clifford Cup winning side under the leadership of Dr. Hubert Aloysius. Chang played alongside some of the era’s finest players, including Nimal Maralande and Ken de Joodt.

However, it was during his nine years at Kandy Sports Club, starting in 1962, that Chang cemented his reputation as one of the country’s greatest forwards after taking up Planting in the Central Hills. In 1969, his contributions helped the team break a 14-year drought by reaching the Clifford Cup final under the captaincy of Denzil Kobbekaduwa.

As he returned to Colombo in 1972 joined CH & FC. He was appointed captain of the Sri Lankan national team, leading them at the Asian Rugby Championship in Hong Kong. Chang coached Isipathana and St. Joseph’s College plus CH & FC as well.

He was the President of SLRFU from 1985 to 1988. The Asian Rugby Championship better known as Rugby Asiad took place in Colombo at the Sugathadasa Stadium in 1990 in which year Chang was the President of the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU).

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