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If you meet him once, even for a brief moment and talk of the game he loved, the meeting will leave a deep impression in your mind. Hadji Omar was an inspiring figure. He had the ability to differ and differ as a gentleman which helped him continue to be a friend.
To pay tribute to a full blooded personality on his demise means taking the life out of a person who was larger than life. Hadji was packed with ingredients which endeared him to all who associated as player, administrator, mentor or friend. When the game needs people of his caliber it was sad to note that he passed away on June 22, 2009.
To those who knew him closely it was a black day. Some lost a friend, brother, or mentor while the game lost a gentleman. As the game winds its way with malice towards all, a man in the mould of Hadji Omar would have been of great use. Hadji played at his best and proved his capability as an administrator. He loved the game and continued his passion for rugby till the time of his death.
A strict disciplinarian with a vision he contributed to the game. He will be remembered by those whom he played with and/or managed. From the time he played for St Peter’s he was something special and he proved it on the field as a player and off the field as an administrator. Those who played with him would say he was a solid front row forward and a good loose player. He was at the bottom of a ruck or with his hands on the ball if there was a maul.
In an Interview with Harry Jayachandra published in the Sunday Times of 20th of April 2008 this is what he had to say about the future of the game
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| Hadji Omar |
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“A master plan needs to be put in to effect. The plan should be for a period of five years or more and must be adhered by whoever is in charge of the SLRFU. But the change must begin with the constitution of the SLRFU itself. In the eighties the Western Province had something like eight votes, the schools association had one vote and the Central Province had one vote. Now I believe that the Central Province has 12 votes even though Kandy SC is the only club that plays in the ‘A’ Division.
I have said this for some time that the constitution needs to be changed and only clubs that play ‘A’ Division should have a vote at the annual general meeting. In my day the Vice President was from the schools section and he would run affairs from the main body. Either the module I had or a similar one needs to be put in place. That would stop players from dictating terms to the union and also put an end to controversy that seems to surround schools rugby these days.”
Most important he was a gentleman who practiced the spirit of the game. He was a legend of RUGBY, the game he loved and breathed. He started playing with the oval ball at St Peter’s College and provided his services in the years 1962 and 1963. He represented CR & FC from 1965 to 1974. He Captained Sri Lanka in 1969 and CR and FC in 1970. He went to be the President of the CR & FC in 1981 and was the youngest President. He was also the President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) in 1983 and 1984. He has been a National Selector and Chairman of National Selection Committee of SLRFU on several occasions. He has served the SLRFU and Rugby in various capacities from time to time and adorned office with dignity.
He was appointed probably as the youngest Captain ever of the Sri Lankan side in 1969.
That was even before he captained his club the CR and FC. Hadji represented Sri Lanka in the all India Tournaments held during that period. He played for Sri Lanka in the first Asian Rugby Football Tournament held in the year 1970 in Bangkok, again in Hong Kong in 1972 and the memorable ASIAD held in Sri Lanka in 1974. He had the distinction of captaining Sri Lanka to the first Asian Rugby Football Tournament held in Bangkok in 1970 and was also the only Sri Lankan player to have played in all the 3 Asian Rugby Football Tournaments at that time.
He also was the Manager of the “Bowl” winning Sri Lankan team led by Hisham Abdeen at the Hong Kong Sevens’, which is the only team in Sri Lankan Rugby history to-date to win an international trophy outside Sri Lanka.
Hadji served with distinction and was recognized always and would walk in to a rugby club and be recognized. He was not one who had to enter and exit unnoticed as the shine of office wore off. At the CR & FC where he spent most of his time of rugby he was a figure that was respected and will surely be missed.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evalutorl IRB |
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