One set of jerseys, shared boots, yet they enjoy being in the scrum

They have one set of jerseys. Boots are shared amongst themselves as is food. They do not have a proper ground to practice on. There is no gymnasium, no scrum machines, no body protection gear and none of the luxuries that most Colombo schools enjoy. What they do have is a great sense of team spirit and the determination to succeed against all odds. Embilipitiya Central did just that by defeating Thurstan in the recently concluded All Island Inter School Ten-A-Side rugby tournament. It was not that Thurstan played badly. On the contrary they did play rather well. But they were defeated by a team that was desperate to make their mark. Incidentally Embilipitiya Central was making their debut in an ‘A’ Division tournament.

To use a hackneyed phrase ‘seeing is believing’. Two missed scoring opportunities cost Embilipitiya Central a place in the Cup quarter finals. But they did manage to score a converted try. It is pertinent to point out here that these boys do not have cones to practice their kicking skills. Instead they use coconut husks.

Seeing these boys at practice would bring tears to eyes of most rugby fans. Many of them practice bare footed on hard ground as boots are scarce. The coach steps in to the role of a scrum machine. When fatigue sets in there is a tap nearby. No mineral water or other energizing liquids. Jerseys are precious. As such these clothes are brought in sili sili bags for practices. Some come on bicycles while others arrive on foot. There are more handicaps, but these boys remain undeterred in their will to succeed.

Master in Charge and coach of the team Saman Gamage says he never played rugby but learnt the game from attending various seminars. He said: “We have grass in this region for only two months of the year. Thus we cannot risk the players by simulating match situations. Many of those boys are also cadets. No matter what happens, the boys always come for practices on time. And despite the lack of facilities they are determined to succeed at the highest level. Our team consists of eight Year Eleven students and two, Year Nine boys. Thus this will be the team that plays next year as well. And yes we do lose players to Colombo schools because they have more facilities.”

Captain of the team Krishan Sampath said: “My father is in the Army so he knows the game. But parents of most of the guys have not seen the game and very few have even heard about it. Boots are something that we desperately need. We came to Colombo to do well and we are all happy that we managed to achieve that.”

Secretary of the Sabaragamuwa Rugby Association K.S.P. Karunaratne said: “Many of the boys come from families that were given a plot of land under the Mahaweli scheme. What this region in general and this school in particular lack is sponsorship. It is a pity because this region has produced many fine ruggerites. For example CR and FC’s Captain Anurada Dharmathilaka started his career at Ruwanwella Central before moving on to Isipathana. Then there is Buddhitha Thalagampala who also started his career at Ruwanwella Central before following in Dharmathilaka’s footsteps. Thalagampala I believe plays for Kandy SC. Sri Lanka’s first female referee Ruckshani Ariyasena who represents Army, also comes from these parts. There are also loads of players who have joined Colombo schools.

Vice Captain of the team Lakmal Wijeyanga said: “My family has a paddy and plantain cultivation. Most of the guys in the team come from farming families. After school and practices we head home, do our home work and then help the family with the farming as this is our livelihood. We usually get to sleep at around midnight and get up at 5.30 in the morning to get to school on time. It is a tough life, but we play the game because we enjoy it.”

Many pundits believe it is up to the authorities concerned to develop the game in these regions instead of Colombo schools bringing in these players. If this is done perhaps Sri Lanka can one day qualify for the World Cup. Embilitiya Central has proved that castles in the air can be built on the ground.