21 June 2023 11:37 am Views - 323
Zahira College have bounced back to return to the top division of schools rugby, having been demoted to the second tier at the end of the 2019 season.
With school rugby coming to a halt in 2020 and 2021, Zahira made their way back to Division 1A along with D. S. Senanayake College.
Both teams played in the Division 1B with D. S. Senanayake coming out on top after winning the final, but Zahira were still able to secure promotion to the top division.
Led by Aadhil Rafeek, Zahira will hope to put their best foot forward and go all out to give off their best, striving to perform better than their last stint in the top division between 2017 and 2019.
In 2017 they were able to chalk up only two wins against Science College and Prince of Wales.
In 2018 they beat DSS and Dharmaraja and in 2019 they were able to win only one match which led to them being demoted.
However, their first assignment against Dharmaraja College is going to be crucial, and an added test following the Rajans win over Trinity College.
The Zahirians under the guidance of former Sri Lanka player Anuranga Walpola and his assistants will aim to retain their spot in the top division and to achieve it they have a tough challenge whilst confronting top contenders.
Zahira College:- Aadil Rafeek (Captain), Abdulla Rizvi, Ihjaaz Imthiys, Saajid Shamil, Aaqib Azan, Aadhil Kitchil Mohamed Aqeel, Suhaad Endra, M.F. Abdullah, Looth Thajudeen Challon, M.A.A. Saad, Sameer Riyaz, M.R. Mohamed, Niken Perera, Hilmy Amaan, Mohamed Ashraful, Abdulla Naushad, Raihan Rushan, Baba Razeen, Abdul Rahmaan, Mohamed Aakif, Naweed Insihan. Shahib Ishan, Abdul Ghani, Farzan Mohamed, Sharik Shaif, Luqman Omar, Fahad Ameen, Aadhil Anaam, Aaqil Akram, Baba Abdulla Hasan, Hakeem Chunchi, Sain Zahim, R. Aneek, Luqman Ul Hakeem.
Head Coach – Anuranga Walpola, Assistant Coach – Dinesh Kumara, Assistant Coach - Prasad Madusanka, Assistant Coach - Mohamed Nafees, Physio – Chanaka Sanjeewa, Masseur – Delpa Chathuranga, Team Doctor – Dr. Dhanusha Devapriya, Manager – Inzam Irfan, Master in-Charge – Norton M. Motha. (Shamil Amit)