For the second year running, young and old of the Thomian fraternity will congregate on Saturday, 8th of August to honour the memory of a personality, whose life has left a lasting impression on those who were fortunate enough to have known him. Within rugby circles there’s probably no one that did not.
Playing in my senior year at S.Thomas’, a notable addition to the young crop of players coming in was this tall sixteen year old from Prep school, who on closer inspection I realized was the brother of former team mate and longtime friend, Asfan Thajudeen However, within a couple of sessions it was apparent to all that this lad was something special. With a prodigious boot, deceptive pace, and a long pass that few could match, it took young Mohamed Wasim Thajudeen very little time to step out of the shadow of his brother and make a name for himself. Wasim’s star rose to dizzy heights, and rose very quickly. Having completed his time in school rugby, where he was Vice Captain in 2003, he made a seamless transition into club rugby, representing Havelock SC for many a season, captaining the famous Town side in 2009. It was not long before National honours were bestowed upon him, and injury apart, Wasim was almost always a certain choice in the sevens and fifteen-a-side teams.
On the rugby field, Wasim had done it all – for school, club and country. But for the many of us friends he’s left behind, his personality, unreserved generosity and faithfulness has left a gaping void. It is for the wonderful human being Wassa was that he will be remembered the most. That cheeky smile, coupled with a constant flow of witty remarks that sent everyone into raptures of laughter will live long in the memory of those fortunate to have befriended him. He would also never bear a grudge against anyone. One recollection that comes instantly to mind is the Royal-Thomian encounter in 2001 – Wasim’s first. After a few even exchanges early on in the game, we were gifted with a penalty right in front of the posts. Given that a players of Wasim’s ability could have knocked it over blind-folded, skipper Jivan Goonetilleke pointed to the posts. Wassa made a terrible hash of it, and in horror we saw the ball race along the turf and under the cross bar a la football style. It was just not our day, and things went from bad to worse as we came undone losing to the superior Royalist by quite a margin. However, not long after the final whistle, Wasim being Wasim with his trademark smile, we all saw the funny side of it, with the incident often coming up in conversation time after time in the years that followed.
Perhaps being voted the ‘Most Popular Ruggerite’ by vote in 2008, in some small measure is testament to how much loved he was. Another hallmark quality he possessed was unwavering loyalty – extinct in modern society today. To his friends, family, and his beloved Havelock Sports Club Wasim always stayed true, in good times and in bad.
There is no better fitting tribute than a game of rugby in his honour played by those whose lives he touched in some way or form. However, I feel it in my responsibility to warn you. If the goodwill feel of the event were to lull you into thinking this is to be some friendly Saturday evening stroll – you are sadly mistaken. I played in last year’s inaugural encounter. I did, and have just recovered in time to sign up for this weekend’s game. Trust me, there was nothing ‘friendly’ about the game. The hits were frightful, heard many rows back in the pavilion, and even the odd ‘argy bargy’. A see-saw battle saw many tries scored with the old boys of Mount Lavinia coming up trumps and being the first to hold aloft the trophy.
A bigger and better event is planned for this year, which will take place at the CR&FC, Longdon Place. The main event – 15-a-side open contact game for the Wasim Thajudeen Memorial Trophy will be preceded by a 10-a-side tag game (also played amongst the old boys of STC, and STPS), as well as an Under 16 encounter between the two schools. The evenings programme concludes with the customary dinner and social, where camaraderie is rekindled by old friends from yesteryear amidst music, raffle draws and other fanfare.
As for the main game, it seems pretty close to call. Though I must admit, that the Mount Lavinia side holds a bit of an edge with a host of former captains such as Dillon Fox, Ashane Karthelis, and the immensely talented Devin Jayasinghe in their ranks. The Prepite side pretty much draws from the same players that did the business last year. Man-of-the-Match from last time around Shahen Rodrigo, Thiwanka Bulankulame, along with Roshanka Kodithuwakku are expected to be the live wires for the dark blue, light blue, and whites, with able support extended from the senior ranks. Its certain to make entertaining viewing, with no quarter asked nor given.
When the teams line up this Saturday evening for the respective anthems, there is certain to be many a lump-in-the throat as we reminisce a dear friend who was plucked away from us far far too soon. However, calling on every effort we will put sentiment to one side as the teams strive their best to put on a show for all those present – schoolmates, friends, family, spouses and spices, or just rugby fans or well-wishers.
We hope we do justice to the true Champion you were my dear friend.
