Rugby: Colombo Malays enter Rugby arena

Pride without any prejudice was the overwhelming emotion as Colombo Malay Cricket Club (CMCC), last Sunday fielded a Rugby team, for the first time in its 146-year history. 

Captained by Imran Alibah, the first CMCC Rugby team participated in the development grade, at the Open 7s tournament conducted by the Western Province Rugby Football Union at Police Park. 

The first-timers finished Plate Runner-up to Old Wesley Sports Club, losing 29-12. Results did not matter, for it was the bigger picture that counted- history being made by CMCC which has been part of the Sports fabric of Sri Lanka for a long, long time.  

“The feeling of pride is unbelievable, as it is a day which will go down in the history of the CMCC, which counts 146 years of yeoman service to Sports,” remarked former Kandy and Sri Lanka international and CMCC Rugby coach Amjad Buksh, after watching his side defeat Panadura RFC 24-5, in its 1st match in the Group stage. 

“We did very well, if you consider that the team was picked from a group of players selected from a community Tag Rugby tournament. I coached them for just 5 days. This young group had plenty of enthusiasm and determination and, with more time and preparation, can go far,” added Buksh, who is a qualified World Rugby Level 1 and 2 coach at both 15s and 7s. 

“We are looking at fielding a side in Sri Lanka Rugby’s 'C' Division this season. Our target is to try and progress to the elite Division by 2022, when the CMCC will celebrate its 150th anniversary,” revealed CMCC Rugby Team Manager Brigadier (Rtd.) T.M. Bohoran. 

“Going on this performance, I’m confident we will be able to hold our own in the lower Leagues. With funding and support, I believe we have the talent among our youth members to become a force to be reckoned with in the future,” added Brig. Bohoran.