Zahira College Colombo, one of the Pioneers of Schools Rugby in Sri Lanka who started competitively playing the sport in 1924, is all set to return to A Division Rugby in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023, with Moose Clothing as their main sponsor.
Moose Clothing has been a valuable contributor in terms of Sponsorship for Sports in Sri Lanka and has come forward to support the A Division Journey of Zahira Rugby 2023. Apart from them, ROZA from Diamond Best Foods will also be Co-Sponsoring Zahira Rugby this year.
Sports at Zahira has achieved rapid growth over the past few years, and this includes Rugby. Zahira played top division Rugby in 2017, 2018, and 2019 and after playing just one year (2022) in Segment ‘B’, they have been able to come back to Segment ‘A’ Rugby.
They were unbeaten in the league stage last year and ended up as Runners-up in the Premier Trophy. In the recently concluded CR & FC Centenary Rugby Sevens tournament Zahira displayed exceptional prowess on the field, beating Vidyartha College, DS Senanayake College, and ended up as runners-up in the Plate Segment.
Photos – Zahira Rugby Press Conference
This year, Adhil Rafeek will captain Zahira’s first XV team with Abdullah Rizvi as Vice-Captain, while the coaching staff will be led by former Sri Lankan rugby player Anuranga Walpola. The team has the full backing of the College administration, including the Principal, Sports Council and the Rugby Committee ably led by Aufer Johar. Inzam Irfan will be the Team Manager and Dinesh Kumara will serve as the team’s trainer and backline coach. Kicking will be overseen by Dev Anand, with Mohamed Nafess serving as an assistant trainer. Dilupa Chathuranga will be the team’s masseur and K Sanjeewa will be the team’s physiotherapist. Dr. K D Devapriya will also serve as the official doctor for the Zahira 1st XV Rugby team.
Zahira College is believed to be one of four schools that first began playing the sport in the island and won their Maiden League title in 1934. It dominated the rugby arena until the 1960s, when it last won the League title in 1962, and it will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming Schools Rugby League 2023.
This year, they will kick off their season on June 24th at Bogambara Stadium with their first match against Dharmaraja College Kandy.
Zahira First XV Rugby Squad for the year 2023 will be as follows;
Front Rows – Aadil Rafeek (Captain), Ihjaaz Imthiyas,Sameer Riyaz, M R Mohamed ,Niken Perera, Hilmy Amaan, Mohammed Ashraful,Abdulla Naushad, Raihan Rushan, Baba Razeen
Second Rows – Hashim Kamal, Sabri Sahibo, Ijas Inam, Rifnas Rimshard , Yahya Rizvi
Third Rows – Abdulla Rizvi (Vice Captain), Saajid Shamil, Abdul Rahmaan,Mohamed Aakif, Naweed Inishan Shahib Ishan
Half Backs – Aaqib Azan, Rahath Saldin, Abdul Ghani
Fly-Halfs – Aadhil Kitchil, Farzan Mohammed
Centres – Mohamed Aqeel, Suhaad Endra, Sharik Shaif, Luqman Omar, Fahad Ameen,Aadhil Anaam
Wingers – Abdullah M F, Looth Thajudeen Challon, Aaqil Akram, Baba Abdulla Hasan, Hakeem Chunchi Zain Zahim , Aneek R
Full Back – M A A Saad, Luqman Ul Hakeem
