Hisham Abdeen to kick to boot rugby coaching academy

By Srian OBEYESEKERE

RUGBY: Hisham Abdeen, the man who has been part and parcel of Sri Lanka rugby football, a sport that has sadly failed to reward this icon in truly Sri Lankan standards, has though not lost the verve that has seen him doing his utmost to give back to his country what he derived from the game.

In that perspective, Abdeen is flexing his muscles to breathe a new dimension to Sri Lanka rugby football sport which will receive a tremendous boost with the setting up of a fully-fledged coaching academy, named the Hisham Abdeen Rugby Football Academy (HARFA) by the former Sri Lanka player turned coach. It will be unique by itself at a time the sport needs to be fed by an institution, which like in cricket derives importance in so much as nurturing young talent up the blocks to national worthiness.

Abdeen is all a bundle of energy these days, reviving memories of his dashing days as an Isipathana, Havelocks and Sri Lanka player of the 1980s when he blazed the field in some epoch try scoring efforts.

Indeed, for the 47-year old, who holds the proud record of scoring eight tries in a club match for Havelocks versus Army in his hey day in 1981, the launching of his academy would be a dream come true in taking his rugby career a mile further. Abdeen, has the unique distinction of being one of those rare species who as a schoolboy did represent the national team and at the same time played for Isipathana unlike others who make it to the top after quitting school. He said that already there were 50 young 'uns who had enlisted with his academy which will be based at his grand old haunt - Havelocks. The Park ground is fondly known among Isipathanians and Havelocks players who have been knitted together by these two institutions in their rugby careers.

Abdeen, credited with coaching three schools from 'B' to 'A' division -minnows Ananda College in 2003, St. Peter's in 2004 and his own former 'alma mater' in 2006, said that his vision was to produce top players for Isipathana, Havelocks and the country through his academy for which he will have the services of ten other coaches at his disposal.

A step forward in this drive would be the availability of female coaches for the benefit of girls. The latter drive will of course come under the purview of Abdeen who has the distinction of coaching the Sri Lanka women's team to the Asian Bowl Championship in 2005.

Meeting up with the former Sri Lanka captain is enlightening as he sets out to explain his latest vision.

"I have always tried to act, promote and cultivate the 'spirit of the game' of rugby since wearing the Sri Lankan jersey while still a schoolboy at Isipathana. Having played the game at the highest level, I believe winning is very important, but would not consider it my main objective. The way victory is achieved and the quality of rugby displayed are more important priorities, especially in the long term. 'To win in style with all players displaying a certain skill level and involvement, now, that would give me real satisfaction," said Abdeen on what he considers are fundamentals in the game.

He says that with this priority in mind he is launching his academy concept which has the blessings of his family and well wishers.' 'HARFA', as the academy will be called, will besides introducing mini rugby envisage nine-a-side for under-12 boys and girls as beginners, will also introduce twelve-a-side mini rugby for older children. It will also extend to customized courses for school teams and provincial and development teams.

Abdeen, who will be the Director Coaching, will play the important role of evaluation latent talent for individual skills refinement and enhancement courses for intermediate and advanced students. Like in cricket, 'HARFA' will also liaise with the Sports Medicine Unit of the Sports Ministry in conducting workshops for students on injury prevention, post injury rehabilitation, usage of supplements, risks and dangers of performance enhancing drugs etc. He said that interested players could contact him at Havelocks Sports Club to enlist for training.