Sports

“Old Zahirians SC started to scrum down in 1991. Since then they have never looked back despite trials and tribulations”, said Ahamed Fazly the chairman of the OZSC rugby committee.

The Maradana school one of the oldest rugby playing schools in the country, has produced some of the best sportsmen at national level. A band of dedicated rugby diehards and players of yester-year formed the rugby club. However the club is open to all.

Q: Any support from the Rugby Union?
A: This year the SLRFU has given a grant of two hundred thousand rupees for each club. Provided the club concerned play in the under-24 tournament.
Q: Who is coaching?
A: Hisham Abdeen an Old Zahirian, who later played for Isipatana. He is doing an excellent job despite limited facilities. Thanks to the good offices of the principal of Zahira Maradana. We make use of the ground when it’s not being utilized by the schoolboys. Otherwise we train after 6 p.m.
Q: Any young hopefuls?
A: Yes, Evergreen Marco de Silva’s son Shannon is playing as fly –half.
Quite a number of young hopefuls from DSSMV, Isipatana, Zahira Maradana are in the squad. The team will be led by prop. H. Kamil. Naim Ahamed the oldest playing ‘A’ rugby for nearly 15 years.
The squad: Props Umaish (Sri Lanka Poolist), Irshad (hooker) Zilan, Rajeev, Kamal ‘Locks’, Kanna, Shaib (flankers) No. 8 Lakmal, s/h Cuncheer, Shannon de Silva (fly half), (Centers) Mannan, Anis, Wingers: Zakir, Ruwan, Full backs: Malik, Standbys: Chaturanga, Dhammika Safraz, Dole, Manager Rahaman.