Bisthamin's injury - a terrible blow for Sri Lanka rugby

Jatila KARAWITA

The head injury suffered by brilliant Kandy SC number eight Imran Bisthamin, last Saturday (Nov 29), during a night out with friends at a popular Kandy eatery, which has all but ended his top-flight rugby career, was described as a huge loss for Sri Lanka rugby by past greats and rugby analysts.

Former Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) President, Sri Lanka coach, manager, physio and Chairman of Selectors Dr. Maiya Gunasekera when contacted said "He will be ok, from the reports that I have received".

"But, his playing days sadly will come to an end. It is no doubt a massive loss for Sri Lanka rugby, because he could have easily found a place in any match-day squad of 22 for any international. Such was his skill and to see such a talent wither away is extremely sad."

Former Sri Lanka winger and well-known rugby analyst Chandrishan Perera stated that it was horrific to hear of Imran Bisthamin's injury, and that it was heartening to see the player being alive after such a terrible fall, by the grace of god.

Perera, noted that Bisthamin's injury which could halt his rugby career on his tracks, will be a severe blow for both Kandy SC and Sri Lanka rugby in general, due to the natural talent that he possessed as a third row forward.

He led his alma-mater in 2004, the same year that he captained the Central Province Schools team before catching the attention of Kandy SC for whom he was to play an integral part in 'A' division rugby for the past three years.

Former rugby referee S.W. Chang whilst saying that it would be an understatement to describe his injury as a loss for rugby here, preferred to look to more brighter side of things and observed that by the grace of god he would one day be able to step into the rugby pitch if not contribute something constructive off the paddock.

Former Sri Lanka, Havelocks SC, Police SC and St. Joseph's crack number eight Anton Benedict also expressed similar sentiments saying that Bisthamin's injury will be a tremendous blow for Sri Lanka rugby, and expressed his wishes to the player for a speedy and swift recovery.

Former Sri Lanka captain and CR & FC and Trinity scrum half and Air Force SC stalwart Tikiri Marambe was of the view that the injury suffered by the Kandy SC back-rower will be an eye-opener to other budding sportsman, in any sport, to look after themselves off the field if they ever desired to have long successful careers.

Marambe, too agreed that Bisthamin was without shadow of a doubt a class act in his position, and to see him suffer such a calamity was his fate.

The former St. Anthony's College Katugastota rugby captain was apparently enjoying a meal seated on a railing when he had lost his balance, and fallen about 20 feet backwards, hitting his head on a cement floor.

He had been rushed to the Kandy Teaching Hospital, where an emergency surgery had been performed on his head and it is said that he is out of danger.