In a magnanimous reach out of one rival to another, the captain of the champion St. Peter’s College rugby team Dulaj Navodya visited Isipathana College’s Shaahid Zumri in hospital where he was treated for dengue fever after their title deciding match last week.
No greater message can be sent out to hooligans and violent elements who patronize school rugby matches that rugby, although rowdy-like but artistic, is a gentleman’s game that builds friendships that knows no boundaries or obstacles.
In the same way, Isipathana players also visited Peterite centre Umith Shihara who was in hospital recovering from an injury sustained in the match.
In an era where violence at the culmination of matches has undermined the concept of sport, the fellowship between the players of Isipathana and St. Peter’s has become unprecedented and a concept that breeds role models like never before that puts to shame miscreants who thrive in broken down Society.
Last year players from St. Joseph’s College consoled Isipathana player Heshan Randimal soon after their match by paying their respects to his mother Himali who passed away in yet another gesture of-field fellowship.
With the Knock-Out tournament scheduled to start next week, the Peterites will be the team to beat while Isipathana, St. Thomas’ College, Wesley College and DS Senanayake College are also touted as teams with potential to reach the final.
