The reason I am writing this article is because a friend asked me “so are you going for the Bradby this year ? Omar , Bilal nor Hamza is playing? ” my reply was “of course” and I smiled.
Then it got me thinking just because Ayyah stopped playing it doesn’t mean I don’t love Royal anymore! I guess when I was small it was a matter of going for matches to support the Ayyah’s .But continuously going for these matches causes an inevitable growth of love for Royal and the sport. Then eventually you are addicted ,and always and forever are ‘Loyal To Royal ’
The Royal- Trinity Rugby game games for the Bradby Shield is quite a highlight in my personal calendar. Last year under Naren Dhason’s captaincy they took the Bradby in style beating the Trinitians and remaining unbeaten, this shattered many a record and traumatized the Trinitians, Thomian players, coaches and supporters. Naturally this makes every Royalist and Royal supporter feel so proud. The hype that inhibits our home really gets us all pumped up, the week preceding the matches we watch all the colours night video clips and all of us get motivated ( I know its weird considering we ain’t the ones who are playing ! haha) Singing the college anthem along with the boys (and yes just like you Royalists I get goose flesh too)and supporting their R-O-Y-A-L. Now let me tell you a funny but nevertheless a true incident , when I was small I was not very familiar with the School song so I was very innocently singing my own version this made my Ayyah’s mad and as my punishment I had to stand on the table with the SRB in my right hand and had to sing it till I got it right, gosh I will never forget the way they looked at me as if I had committed a crime. So I feel as much as a part of the event as any Royalist. My friends often ask me what I would be without Royal? and my answer is that I have no idea !.No Royal means no Bradby ,no Big match and no Hayman ! I mean what would I look forward to ??. Oh I must mention how religious and close to the almighty I become during these matches .Praying so much to God and asking him to protect the boys and give them the victory they deserve . This year after the Bradby my teacher looked at me and said “ Now your brothers are no more involved in Royal you can focus on your studies “ ! but then I had to explain to her that I will always want to go support the school that I love so so much ! And one of my dreams is to become a teacher at Royal . Then I also had to explain to her that my family will always be involved in Royal in one way or another.
This Great school in some way has taught me so much about the little intricacies of life. These encounters have taught me that `team work goes a longer way `,`playing with your heart is much more important` and ` hard work will pay off !’ and most importantly it has taught me to believe ! believe in the impossible and also sadly I have learnt that life in the real world is not always a bed of roses ,injustice and unfairness sometimes creeps in but we must learn to suck it up grow stronger and move forward and learn from it. So I think that I too owe a debt is some way . So I try to repay it in every little possible way that I can. But gradually you will realize that this is impossible. As one fine Royalist (my father) puts it.
“In my personal experience, every time I try to repay the school that gave me so much, I fail. Every time I try to repay, it gives me so much more”
I would like to take our thoughts back in time to ponder and give thanks to a great educationist and visionary Rev .J. Marsh the founder principal of Royal for starting this wonderful school way back 175 years ago in 1835 in the verandah of his church with just 20 students. Comparatively now the Rugby 1st XV squad of Royal consists of 30 players and the school has over 7000 students! If it wasn’t for him , Where would all of us be now ???? I don’t even want to think about it.
I am pretty sure even Rev Marsh’s son another distinguished former Principal of Royal would have dreamt that his father’s humble and noble Endeavour’s would end up as the pioneer educational and sports institution in this beautiful Island home of ours.
Today I wish Duminda Artygalle and the team chosen to represent College the very best of luck! Dumi Ayyah (as your adopted sisters) We have prayed for you and the team and today are here to support you and your magnificent gladiators. Now go out there and do your best ! that’s all anyone could ever ask for .As the quote blazoned across Bilal Ayyah’s room goes
“If you shed blood with me on the field then you are my brother”
You must be willing to shed sweat, blood and tears for the sake of your team mates and the school that taught you everything you need to know. And true to our school song “they have repaid the debt they owed” at least partially as the first tranche maybe pay back a little out of the huge debt that you owe to mother Royal. Prove to everyone young and old what runs in your veins which is true Royal blood !, blood that enables you to be stronger in heart and give you power and skill beyond measure ! The passion for glory and undying love for Royal will take you places unimaginable! And when you hold the College crest above your heart and sing our School song ,you should feel as if you have been transformed into a Spartan and better yet a Royalist, and that nothing , nothing is going to stop you ! Do it for all who are on the stands today , do it for all those people whose prayers and thoughts are with you at this very moment, Do it for yourselves and more importantly, Do it for Royal !!. At this juncture I would like to say , remember winning is important but most importantly the spirit of Royal should not be compromised and walk out with your heads held high for we will always love you and support you come what may. Do not forget “keep thy flame inviolate”.
I would like to finish off with a beautiful quote which should get you thinking by Mr.Viji Weerasinghe a truly genuine distinguished and eminent old boy, master of Royal and mentor to generations of Royalists ( including my father, uncle and brothers ) this my friends will explain the header and answer many a question unanswered.
“ The spirit of this wonderful school of ours has found its way
Into my blood and penetrated into my bones”
