Saturday Jun 20, 2026
Saturday Jun 20, 2026
Friday, 19 June 2026 00:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Zahira College Principal Trizviiy Marikkar this week set the record straight on integrity and recruitment policy of rugby players by the school.
Marikkar’s move follows what he described as “unfounded misinformation” circulating on various social media platforms concerning the college. Misinformation also comes after stellar performance by Zahira todate in the on-going Schools Rugby League and ahead of a crucial match against Trinity on Saturday.
Clarifying the Rugby Player Recruitment Policy, the Zahira Principal said as an institution with a storied history in Sri Lanka sports, “we believe it is our duty to set the record straight and uphold the transparency that defines our sporting culture. Zahira College maintains a strict policy - We do not recruit or «import» players from other ‘A’ Division rugby-playing schools.”
“Our philosophy is built on mutual respect for our fellow competitors. We believe that every ‘A’ Division school works hard to develop its talent, and we have no intention of disturbing or hindering the growth of these institutions by poaching their players. We stand by the principle that the health of Sri Lankan rugby depends on the stability of all its top-tier programs. Thus, we believe that winning a match with imported players is a sad state of affairs in sports,” Marikkar said, adding Zahira “takes immense pride in its current First XV squad.”
To clarify the scale of Zahira’s internal development, the Principal said 99% of Zahira’s current team consists of home-grown talent. “These are students who have risen through our own junior ranks, embodying the Zahira spirit from a young age. Our success on the field is a result of years of internal coaching, dedication, and the loyalty of our own students,” he said.
When Zahira College does engage in external recruitment, it is done with a clear philanthropic and developmental purpose. We offer scholarships to talented athletes from remote areas or ‘C’ Division schools. These recruitments are conducted with full transparency and the explicit consent of all parties involved. For these players, a Zahira scholarship is more than just a spot on a team; it is a life-changing opportunity to access high-quality education and professional sports training that might otherwise be out of reach.
“We refuse to win matches at the expense of a student’s future. To us, a trophy is temporary, but an education and a disciplined character last a lifetime,” Zaid Principal Marikkar.
He urged the general public, Zahira alumni, and the rugby community to disregard the misinformation currently being circulated.
“Zahira rugby remains committed to the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical recruitment, and holistic development of the youth of Sri Lanka. We continue to groom sportsmen who will graduate as responsible educated citizens of our nation,” Marikkar emphasised.
