David Campese (left) is presented with a rugby jersey by the principal of Zahira, Trizvie Marikar
In their centenary year of rugby in Sri Lanka, Zahira College Colombo will be hosting a prestigious Zahira Rugby Centenary 7s Tournament on March 2 and 3 at the Race Course ground.
To mark the celebrations more significantly Zahira have invited David Campese the legendary Australian rugby player who was the world’s iconic player at one time from 1982 to 1996 in a record of 101 caps for the Wallabies in 85 Tests.
Campese’s visit is not only to enhance the standard of rugby at Zahira but also to conduct high level coaching camps for coaches of other schools.
“It is an amazing opportunity for me to attend the centenary celebrations of Zahira rugby. I have played against Sri Lanka at the Hong Kong Sevens tournament in 1993 and I was surprised to know the quality of rugby they produced. Zahira must try to be the best in the future and look back at the history by recalling their struggle in the past,” said Campese.
The arrival of Campese was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Diamond Best Foods, dedicated to ‘Empowering Wellness through Trusted Nourishment’ while collaborating with Sri Lanka Tourism, SriLankan Airlines, Ministry of Sports, Sri Lanka Rugby and the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Association (SLSRFA).
The Zahira rugby Sevens tournament will have 14 leading school teams that will be joined by teams from Thailand and Malaysia.
Earlier last year, Zahira became the newest inclusion from Sri Lanka to join the esteemed Global Partner network alongside the Leicester Tigers Club in the United Kingdom.
The official announcement of this significant partnership with the Tigers’ Global Partner Club network was made on December 31, 2023.
In the foreseeable future, the Zahira Rugby Community coaches in collaboration with the coaching expertise of the Leicester Tigers are set to commence an expansive island-wide coaching tour.
“Rugby has been played around the world for 200 years and Zahira is proud to be in the game for the past 100 years.
The opportunity we got in this centenary year is to actively promote and develop the game. Rugby development should take place all over the country. The organizing committee is making a lot of effort in this direction.
“To provide the expertise we have a legend in the caliber of David Campese who will put our coaches on the right track,” said Trizvie Marikar the Principal of Zahira College Colombo.
