| Abdeen
made a difference out there
By Bernie Wijesekera
Oh what an imposing figure he was in the middle out there. Prowling
among the forwards, he used to be there in a flash even if the scrum
was won or lost. If there was a scoring opportunity, he was always
there to convert them into points for Havelocks and no wonder that
they were the unbeatables at that time. That was the difference
that Hishan Abdeen brought to the game of rugby.
The
Sunday Times caught up with this mild-manned past Zahira, Isipatana,
Havelocks and Sri Lanka stalwart for a pow vow. In that era there
was a galaxy of stars turning out for various clubs--the present
president of the Rugby Union Priyantha Ekanayake, ‘Shan’
Perera, Saman Jayasinghe, Nalin de Silva, Rohantha Peiris, C.P.P.
Abeygunawardene etc. But, Abdeen had the knack of cutting a niche
above them while at play.
Abdeen
also contributed much toward this pinnacle as a schoolboy playing
in the 7s Hong Kong league. later led Sri Lanka 7s team. Sri Lanka
gave a brilliant performance in 1984 in the Hong Kong ‘sevens’and
won the Bowl championship.
Granite-hard Hisham Abdeen came into full bloom whilst playing for
Isipathzzzzzzzana in the 1980’s. He had a record haul of 25
tries that season. He possessed the physique for this beautiful
body contact sport. Had tremendous stamina, speed strength skills
suppleness and spirit to bemuse his opponents as a schoolboy, was
included in the 1980 Hong Kong 7s team.
Q:
What was your unforgettable moment in your career?
A: Firstly, as a schoolboy playing for Sri Lanka in the
HK ‘Sevens’ in 1980. The captain was Lanil Tennekoon.
The likes of Len Silva, Saman Jayasinghe, Sandy Hamid, C.P. Abeygunawardene
and Bharatha Hegoda were in the side and. Sri Lanka gave a good
performance. Against the Barbarians, we lost 42-4, I made an epoch-making
run to breach the Englishmen’s defence to fall over. My contributions
are meant for the team’s success.
Q:
Country before self.
A: Yes, In 1984 for the first time winning the Bowl Championship.
Beat Thailand 16-10 in the final. This was my best achievement in
the field of rugby.
The team had a set of gazelle-like runners. We had think-tank Saman
Jayasinghe (CH and FC), Chula Dharmadasa (CR and FC), Rohantha Peiris,
(CR and FC), Hubert Ryan (Havelocks), Nalin de Silva (Air Force)
sleek running “Shan” Perera (CH & FC), and C.P.P.
Abeygunawardene (CR & FC) manning the base was Len Silva and
Jeff Rutnam was the Manager-cum coach. He was a source of inspiration.
It was no pushover win but we all contributed towards success.
Q:
You were the first captain to lead the team for the first European
circuit.
A: Yes. On a Welsh tour. My first club was Havelocks SC.
Besides that I played for CH and FC.
No doubt Havelocks SC was the club to me. I really learnt much while
playing there. The likes of Dr. Hubert Aloysius, Gamini Fernando,
Jeff Rutnam, Frank Hubert, Anton Benedict, Y.C. Chang inspired me.
Late Mr. Julian Grero, a president par excellence, always looked
into the needs of the players. He gave a lot of support and encouragement.
Besides a doyen of Sri Lanka track and field sport, he contributed
much for the ‘Park Club’. During the latter part of
my career I played for CH and FC. They dominated the local scene
with a star-studded team. I captained CH in 1993 and won the ‘Triple
Crown’.
I was proud to have led the Havies to stardom and later the Maitland
Crescent Club. CH and FC’s, Kishin Butani gave me all assistance.
Q:
What have you got to say about rugby now and then?
A: Club rugby was very competitive. No cakewalk, every
match was like a final. Quality rugby was churned out. This raised
standards at national level too. In that era tickets were bought
in advance for the CR- Havies match. Rugby was a real crowd puller
at that time.
The
players had to work hard on their own. No transport other than public.
There were no professionals, but players indulged in the game with
all their hearts This was the period Sri Lanka could have matched
the best in Asia barring Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong (with
expatriates).
Today’s
players are drawn from far and wide. It’s good. But there
is quantity but no quality. Apparently in some quarters the players
are being paid. Good. But they must work hard and give of their
best for the national cause too.
Next year’s Asiad is being held here. It’s the ideal
barometer to judge our levels in our own backyard with the crowd
support.
The
present players enjoy much exposure unlike during my time. The players
stand to benefit.
Q:
Any other way you have contributed towards the game you love?
A: Coached Ananda College, St. Peter’s and Old Zahirians
SC. I did much of the spadework with the Sri Lanka Rugby Union’s
development committee with Y.C. Chang as chairman. It was continued
by Arjun Dharmadasa..
Coached the Women’s rugby team and for the first time they
won the Asian international 7s Bowl held in Singapore.
Rugby is the most popular game barring cricket. It still draws a
big crowd. No sport could be developed without crowd support. I
have noticed there is much talent in the districts, but they need
continuous support, concluded Abdeen.
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