HARFA Rugby extravaganza on April 9
M Farook LANTRA
The 3rd Annual Hisham Abdeen Rugby Football Academy (HARFA) Rugby
Extravaganza will be held on April 9, 2012 at the CH & FC grounds with
events commencing from 8.00 a.m. onwards.
Teams from various age groups comprising of over 500 players from
several leading schools will be participating in this event on
invitation. Trinity College, Royal College Junior Academy, St Peter's
College, Science College, St Anthony's College, Vidyartha College,
Mahanama College, Ananda College, Zahira College, Dharmapala College, St
Johns College, St Benedict's College, Royal Panadura, Peterson Rugby
Academy and Merca Rugby Academy have confirmed their participation.
An interesting feature this year that would keep the spectators on
the edge of their seats would be the ladies tournament. Six teams will
be taking part, adding no doubt, a lot of glamour and spice for this
annual event. A parents' vs coaches exhibition match has also been
scheduled.
It was three years ago the concept of a rugby academy was conceived
by former National Captain and present National Rugby Selector Hisham
Abdeen together with former National player, Sri Lanka Navy and Captain
of Isipathana College Comdr H K Sisira (rtd) together with Ivor
Keerthipala, Co-ordinator Isipathana Rugby 2005-2006. The launch of the
academy fulfilled a long cherished dream of Hisham Abdeen, the objective
was to provide a stage for kids and young adults to learn the initial
skills of rugby football correctly and then to develop them with
diligent practice, under the guidance of professionals who have played
the game at top level.
The vision of the Academy is to instill the right values and basics.
Rugby being a contact/ collision activity, it is imperative that coaches
are properly qualified and work according to a prepared scheme and
programme, with the clear objective of inculcating in the students, that
while winning is important the more important standard is the manner in
which winning is achieved, and the quality of rugby being played.
To win playing skillful and cohesive rugby with all the players being
fully involved is the ultimate goal of HARFA. |