Sports

Sports

Old Zahirians - experiencing the rough and tumble
By Bernie Wijesekera
Its time that the Sri Lanka Rugby Union looked into the priorities for the development of the sport in the country. The game has spread far and wide. It is no longer, a sport meant for the affluent clubs unlike in the past, to wine and dine after a game, with a social.

The time has come for the controlling body to take note the way the rugby assets are handled, in the interest of the sport. Then the game could progress to reach higher levels in the Asian circuit. Many rural schools have taken to the scrum, far and wide. But where are the basic facilities for the development and promotion of the sport. There should be more clubs for them to indulge after leaving school.

A common playing field for them to scrum down. In Indian and Pakistan it's a common sight the youth wielding the willow in open fields meant for all as they are the future prospects. Sri Lanka is one of the oldest countries in Asia playing rugby since colonial times. But have we progressed. No, but virtually in the lower rungs in the Asian table. IRB with a regular donation to promote the game at grassroots level, and creating more clubs for mass participation.

If there is development then its in the Services at grassroots level. Teaching the rural youth the skills and paving them the way to reach national standards. In the end they are the ones, who play hard with total commitment with a never-say-die approach to keep the country's rugby image alive.

A trek to the Shalika grounds on Wednesday (April 27) to watch the Old Zahirians SC training in virtual darkness, with the assistance of the Apollo Hospital lights which were coming from a distance spelled out the special story. The club is just five years old. Despite limited resources they are striving to keep the sport alive among the youth. The players are drawn from Bandaranayake MV Gampaha, St. Mary's Chilaw, Ananda College Colombo, St. Benedict's, Isipatana and Zahira Maradana, etc.

The team is being coached by former Sri Lanka forward Hisham Abdeen. A player of international class, who possess rugby skills and competent enough even to train the national squad.

Abdeen, was interviewed by The Sunday Times. He said "our main task, is to find a place to train. We go from pillar to post. I think there should be a common playground for emerging clubs to train and afford rural schoolboys to continue". "Today the club is not confined to old boys of the Maradana school. The gates are open to all".

When asked about the funds to support Abdeen said "Any sponsors. Today all sports need professional support. Our assets are limited. We have no sponsors coming to our aid unlike the affluent clubs. But still we are on surface, thanks to the well-wishers and ardent supporters of rugby. They are assisting the club with men and material. The Rugby Union must assist the emerging clubs. This should be their benchmark".

"Our team is our most important asset. They must be reasonably well looked after. Despite limited sources we are looking after them. After all the hard work, but still some players desert for reasons best known to them. Apparently affluent clubs hook them. It’s not rugby development".

"The present Rugby Union's young president Priyantha Ekanayake has played with me. He has gone through the dark tunnel. He has a vision. He will strive to help the emerging clubs. This should be part of rugby development".

"Winning is not everything. OZSC, were trounced by Kandy SC, in the opener. But the only thing is to play the game in the correct spirit and keep the game alive for a better tomorrow. With some help and support OZSC could make it more competitive, than confining to a few clubs".

"We have a squad of 30. Average age is 24. The team is led by old Benedictine prop forward Mohan Fernando. He has the zeal and is determined to turn a new chapter in the ongoing season. Here is a player with immense potential in flanker Dinesh Sanjeewa from Bandaranayake MV. He later joined Ananda College. He is in the national pool. Kishore Jehan from Chilaw. He never played rugby. But found his way to the national pool.

The other player to note is T.M. Saldin, the- fly-half. There are many more schoolboys from the districts, but they need exposure.

The squad:
Props - K. Jehan, Omesh Ifhan, Chathuranga, Hookers - M. Irshad, Bakeer, Locks - Rajeewa Kamil, Third Row - Sanjeewa Dinesh Lakmal, Kapura Bandara (Isipatana), Dhammika Wimalaratne, No. 8 - Naim Ali, Scrum Halves - Kuncheer (place -kicker), Shammy, Fly half - Saldin, Centers - Mannan, Mindika Jayasinghe Roshan, Wing - three quarters - Shakeer Ishan, Mohideen, Fullback - Zubaideen.

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