Zahira College from Maradana is another outfit who have not been able to register any silverware in their 100-year Rugby history, but will this be the year?
History
Zahira College has been unlucky on some occasions and not really up there on others. But with a hundred-year history to their name, the school, better known for football, may have something up their sleeve to surprise us all.
Current Outfit
This current outfit is a fairly young team as they lost 18 players from 2023. This means they are lacking experience, and this time around, they will be tested like any other season!
Players to watch out for
Captain Sabri Sahibo will be looked up to lead the team and his pack from the pivotal No. 8 role, while Rahath Saldin and Hakeem Chunchi will be looked up to for impetus from the 9 and 10 positions.
Ijas Inam is another leader in the Zahira pack, and along with the captain, he too will look to have his say in both attack and defense.
Coaches
Experienced campaigner Shamlee Nawaz finds himself back at Zahira College after a relatively successful stint at S. Thomas’. He will be joined by Saliya Hadapangoda as the backs coach and Ranuka Madagedara as the forwards coach.
Expectations for the Season
Zahira College will no doubt be aiming to survive the drop at the end of the season. However, this season will be as challenging as it gets.
Full Squad
Forwards: Ashraful Irshan, Areed Careem, Abdullah Naushad, M. Naweed Inishan, M. Raihan Rushan, T. Dasun Nimsara, Aakif Azmil, Milhan Munawfer, Shahib Ishan, M. Ammar Ifham, M. Yahyaa Rizan, Ijas Inam (VC), Sabith Rizwy, Iyaad Yusuf, M. Ameen Rifaz, Umar Ul Haq Anas, Ahmed Raiyan, Mujahid Assan, Zain Hassan, Nafeel Casseem, M. Farhan, Rifnaz Rimshard, Habeeb Uzni, Sabri Sahibo (C), Tuan Raheem
Three quarters: Abdullah Hassan, Shoaib Nizran, Fahad Ameen, Rahath Saldin (Vc), Luqman Nadeem, Imtiyas Iflan, A. Basith Mahir, Tuan Simark, Farzan Mohammad, Aneek Razul, Yuttzriel Lantra, Hakeem Chunchi, Arqam Azmer, Basith Feroz, Afham Abdeen, A. Binuk Perera, M. Abdul Rahman, T. M. Chunchie, M. F. Mohmed Zaid, Arfath Ahmed, Zain Zahim, Umair Zain, Mohamed Ziyadh
Fixtures
vs Wesley College Zahira Grounds 15th June
vs St. Joseph’s College Zahira Grounds 22nd June
vs Royal College Zahira Grounds 29th June
vs Kingswood College Nittawela Stadium 6th July
vs Vidyartha College Zahira Grounds 13th July
vs St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya 19th July
vs Thurstan College Zahira Grounds 27th July
