sharjah The boys from the Pakistan Islamia Higher Secondary School had most likely never played rugby and only either watched the game on television or caught a glimpse of it at the grounds in the UAE.
So, understandably, they were not aware of how the game was played nor did they know its rules and regulations.
But when their physical education faculty tried introducing the game during a session in the school, it turned out to be a massive success. Indeed, when the opportunity to meet the Pakistani rugby team at the Sharjah Wanderers came calling, the boys were more than willing to meet their stars.
Around 90 children watched the team train before they were welcomed by the players on to the ground to try their hand.
The team spent quality time teaching the boys the nuances of the sport.
“The boys just loved it. There is a lot of effort to promote the game in the UAE. So when we got this opportunity we thought this was the best way to inspire the boys by bringing them closer to the national team,” Khuram Haroon, manager of the Pakistan rugby team told XPRESS.
“We realised that these boys showed great interest and were keen to learn the sport. Holding such sessions can spread the game among the boys based in the UAE,” he added.
Interestingly, this is the same school where former Pakistan cricketer and coach Waqar Younis studied.
“The boys know a lot about cricket but nothing much about rugby. This is a very demanding sport which needs physical activity. I thought of introducing rugby to them and one day made them play it in the school and the boys showed a huge interest,” said Mohammad Saleem, Physical Education teacher of the school.
“So I contacted the team manager and we are thrilled that they arranged for our boys to have an interaction with the national team players who they can look up to as they grow.”
“This is a sport which can improve their physical fitness and improve their mental stability and they are lucky to have such a session,” he added.
The Pakistan team is in the UAE to participate in the Division 4 and Asian5Nations Top 5 tourney which will be held at 7he Sevens.
Pakistan coach Rogers Coombs said: “We have a good foundation being laid in Pakistan and it’s good to meet such youngsters who can be the next generation stars.
“There is a lot of work being done for the growth of rugby here and such opportunities should do a lot of good for the growth.”
Coombs said efforts were being made in Pakistan to organise more touranments which could give the players an opportunity to play regularly.
“They got to play more rugby. In the UK they play regularly and in Pakistan they play once a month. If they have to improve they have to play more often.
“Another thing is the money. In England you are paid nicely if you play the game from the university level. But it’s not the same in Pakistan. Such changes have to be done if we want to see them go up the rankings,” he added.
