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Is rugby only for affluent clubs? – Hisham Abdeen
By Bernie Wijesekera
The Old Zahirians Sports Club, one of the oldest, in the local rugby scene has to fight a battle of survival. They have to go through the dark tunnel with limited resources. No ground to practice barring the rock hard ground at Maradana. At times this too is not available due to school activities moaned Hisham Abdeen the former Sri Lanka skipper who is the rugby mentor of this sports club at present. Abdeen, a development officer (rugby) is a knowledgeable coach too. He has said that the OZSC led a nomadic life with no playing field to train, went from pillar to post at times playing in the dark at Shalika grounds with the assistance of street lights.

But still the boys never gave up hope. We got hammered to a standstill losing by a street to reputed clubs. No sponsors, no assistance from the powers that be. But diehards of OZSC and well-wishers kept it alive. Some other club would have pulled down the shutters. Despite setbacks the dedicated players and the management fought a relentless battle to be on surface. The players were unknown to the affluent rugby fraternity.

Q: From where do these players hail?
A: Gomes, from St. John’s Nugegoda, Dinesh Sanjeewa from Bandaranaike MV Gampaha who later joined Ananda College, Kishan Dinesh (Chilaw) were drafted to the development squad. Tuan Saldin (OZSC) played for the national team. But just when a child is blossoming and is coming of age, they are being drafted by the affluent clubs.

I am not against it. But this is not going to help develop and promote the levels of the emerging clubs. OZSC, given the resources could produce many more players with potential for Sri Lanka at national level.
The Rugby Union must help these clubs who are making an endeavour to promote the game among the rural youth.

No players from affluent rugby playing schools. Most of the OZSC players are from within Colombo 10, and drawn from the development squad.

Q: Where are the clubs for them to indulge?
A: Today, the rugby gospel is spread far and wide no longer a social sport, a forte of the elite society.

Q: The much talked of a common playing field for rugby and football promised by the Ministry of Sports, is still to become a reality, but still a distant dream.
A: Yes. To hire ground it needs money not only for the less affluent clubs but even for emerging schools too.
No resources or sponsors for them to be in surface. Still when some talented players emerge then apparently trophy hunting clubs grab them. Even these players end up in the wilderness. Most of them languish on the bench hardly getting playing opportunities at competitive level.

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