Zahira in search of past glory
Thushan JAYASURIYA
Zahira College is one of the four schools in Sri Lanka which played
rugby before the second world war. They took to the game in late 1930s
after Trinity, Royal and St.Peter's, Zahira has produced a Sri Lanka
captain in Abdul Majeed, who led the country against all England in
1971.
The others who represented Sri Lanka are Nalin Saleem, Omar Sheriff,
Rizan Saldin, M.J.Musthaq, Hafeel Marso, Azad Junkeer and Ibrahim Hamid.
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M.Anaz
Rizvi (Captain) |
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M.I.M.Sajid
(Vice Captain) |
In 1962, Zahira became the school champions beating Trinity, Royal,
St. Peter's and several other schools and in the same year, Zahira beat
almost all the clubs it played against including Havelocks and CR and
FC.
This time Zahira College has come up with a formidable pack in their
bid to clinch the Singer 'B' Division Rugby League Tournament 2012. They
hope to improve their standards day by day. Zahira produced its best
rugby in the sixties. Again they are coming up with the victories in the
matches against St. Benedict's (49-12), St.Anne's Kurunegala (27 -05),
Royal Panadura (42 - 0) this season.
The team will be led by M.Anaz Rizvi, who plays as a the number
eight. One of the props berths will be occupied by Rojitha Perera. But
he has a stronge challenge from Atheeq Mumtaz and M.Rizkey, the other
props of the side while Azlan Hameem and Manazeer Kamaldeen will fill
the hookers position. The talented and experienced A.Shukoor will once
play as a lock forward. The other who could fit in to this position are
Jawfer Sadiq, A.Faadhil and Vishan Mohamed.
The flankers berth will be occupied by K.R. Sheriff, Ishan Noor and
M.Moulana.
M.I.M.Sajid who is the Vice Captain of the side is the best bet to
play as the Scrum-Half while M.Naleef plays as the fly half. The
centre's berth will be pair off by Rizni Buhari and M.S.Abdullah. A.S.M.
Rifakath tries his best to find a place in the side as winger.
The other person who is fighting for the same position is Farhan
Farook. The seasoned Shakir Jaldeen and Raise Kareem will fight it out
for the full backs berth.
The coach of the team Bimal Perera, a former Isipatana, CH and FC and
Sri Lanka Number Eight, says that their target is to win all the matches
of the 'C' division and get promoted into 'B' division. The team has
improved to a certain extent by now and hopes to improve more as the
season progresses. Apart from that, the team is getting good support
from Zahira College Rugby Committee.
Zahira, which has a proud rugby history, been able to gift many
talented players to the national rugby arena. And they will continue it
in the future too.
Zahira College Under 19 Rugby Squad
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Zahira
ruggerites in action. |
Props : Rojitha Perera, Atheeq Mumtaz, M.Rizkey.
Hooker: Azlan Hameem, Manazeer Kamaldeen.
Lockss : A.Shukoor, Jawfer Sadiq, A.Faadhil, Vishan Mohomed.
Flankers: K.R.Sheriff, Ishan Noor, M.Moulana
No 8: M.Anaz Rizvi (Captain)
Scrum Half: M.I.M.Sajid (Vice Captain)
Fly Half: M.Naleef
Centres: Rizni Buhari, M.S.Abdullah
Wingers: A.S.M.Rifakath, Farhan Farook
Full Back: Shakir Jaldeen, Raise Kareem
Coach: Bimal Perera
Assistant Coach: Shantha Dharmaratne
Physical Trainer: Chandana Karunasena and Amith Jayasekara
M.I.C.: Palitha Kulathunga
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Zahira
College Under-19 rugby squad. Pictures by Saliya Rupasinghe |
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