Dr. Sankalpana – Regional Head in Asia Rugby Players Welfare in South Asia

Dr. Sankalpana – Regional Head in Asia Rugby Players Welfare in South Asia

By Shamzeer Jaleel

Dr Namith Sankalpana the former  Nalanda College swimming captain and Water Polo player holds a high position at the World Rugby. He is the Regional head in Asia Rugby Players welfare in South Asia.

After leaving school he was graduated from University of Sri Jayawardenapura and completed Postgraduate studies in Sports and Exercise Medicine at University of Colombo. Currently working at Sports and Exercise Medicine Unit of National Hospital of Sri Lanka as the Medical Officer In Charge.

Speaking to Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) he said "I completed World Rugby "Immediate care in Rugby Level 2 course in Japan in 2016. I was the first Doctor in Sri Lanka to complete the course at that time. Later joined Sri Lanka Rugby Medical Committee and started working with SLR. It was a beginning of a long and challenging, exciting journey. I was able to introduce many things in the Medical aspect for Sri Lanka Rugby. Later I became a World Rugby Medical Educator by completing the World Rugby course in 2017 January in Dubai,  UAE and became the First Medical Educator in South Asia.

Speaking further he said %u201CI got appointed to the Asia Rugby Medical Committee in January 2018 and currently I am the Regional Head for players Welfare in Asia South Region which include Sri Lanka as well. I went onto complete World Rugby "Advance Immediate Care in Rugby - Level 3" course in Singapore in 2018 February.

I am  the only Sri Lankan Doctor who was appointed as a Match Day Doctor for Hong Kong Sevens tournament last year. In November 2018 I went to London,  UK as the Asia Rugby delegate to attend the World Rugby Medical Commission Conference. There I completed the World Rugby Medical Trainer course and got qualified as a World rugby medical trainer which enabled me to deliver World Rugby Level 2 and Level 3 courses for World Rugby. 

My major achievement is the selection as a Match Day Doctor for the Rugby World Cup 2019 which will be held in Japan. They have selected only 4 Doctors from Asia and I am the only one from Sri Lanka.

Dr Sankalpana ended as thanking Joy Walter (former  medical coordinator-Asia Rugby) and Rohan Gunaratne ( Executive Director of Sri Lanka Rugby) for the support.

Dr Sankalpana is currently holding the Chief Medical Officer (SLR), Chairman of Medical Committee (SLR), Team Physician of Sri Lanka National Rugby team ( Men's and Women's)