Zahira’s soccer team maintain its winning streak

Ashraff. A. Samad Dehiwela - Mount Lavinia Special Correspondent

Zahira College, Colombo soccer team was able to maintain its winning streak and become undisputed Schools Champions in both years 2007/8. the Principal of the Zahira College Colombo T. K. Azoor said.

He was speaking at the 116th Prize Giving Ceremony held at Gafoor Hall recently Education Minister Susil Premajayantha participated as Chief Guest at this function. Best scout, best Karate player, best cadet, best ruggerite, best soccerite, best cricketer, best hockey player, best swimmer, best athlete, best leader of the winner award given by Minister of Education Susil Pramajayanth.

Principal further said about Zahira College sports activities, In 2007 Zahira soccer team won a record numbers of six tournaments. Four of Zahira players represented Sri Lanka Schools at a tournament in Thailand and one of its under 17 players captained our Schools’ Team in Saudi Arabia.

Four of our boys were awarded National School’s Colours in 2007. In recognition of their consistency and dedication, the Senior Team was taken on a tour to India on 2007. He thanked P. S. Rafeek Chairman of the Football Committee for organizing this tour and sponsoring the major part thereof and for his abiding interest in the welfare and development of soccer in Zahira.

Zahira are kings of soccer once again. He thanked coach Joseph Silva and T. F. Samth for continuing to perform the task of teaching the techniques of the game to the youngsters. Old boys Association group ‘60 for volunteering to sponsor cricket from 2007 and look forward to a revival of the game from now onwards.

The Inter House Cricket Tournament was revived last year and therefore we have been having quite a large turn out for practices especially in the Under 15 and Under 13 age groups.

Rugby football is a sport in which we were able to hold our own with the best rugger playing schools in the island. In 2006 we performed well enough to be promoted to segment B of Divisional 1 in the SLSRFA tournament. However, in 2007 we were relegated to segment C due to our poor performances.

In Hockey the lack of proper training facilities has hampered the development of the game which has been revived in the year 2002. We have been entering and playing in all major tournaments but are still to make noteworthy achievements. The great potential in this game and he requested the board of Governors to make available more resources in the future. Karate classes are being conducted on Saturdays under the watchful eye of Sensei M. C. M. Nazar who leaves no stone unturned to get the best for young Karatekas.