Continual Commitment and Tireless Training Help Alighar
Central College Superbly Shine in Soccer
N.U. ABDUL RAZZAK UDAYAR
Alighar National School of Eravur guided by the principal, Mr. M.M. Mawjood, strikingly stole the limelight, the other day as it stylishly lifted the Division 1 of the National Soccer Championship of Under 20, brilliantly beating the much-fancied Zahira College Colombo in an exciting Soccer Show that was dished out at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Monday 11th December 2023. The juggernauts, Zahira were clueless to break the strategy of the young coach of Alighar, S.H. Aspahan, a product of Aligar itself to make their usual impressive footprints in this decisive encounter that was replayed on 11th Monday December 2023 starting at 11p.m. Actually, this match was firstly played only for 10 minutes the previous day, 10th Sunday but the wet weather hastily forced it to be postponed by one day exactly to be replayed on 11th.
Alighar had the last laugh
The final show of the Under 20, All Island School Tournament turned out to be fantastic and nail biting as both Zahira and Alighar displayed the superb skills and talent and both jealously, intending to grab the coveted Ball Blaster Challenge Trophy that was sponsored by entrepreneur and the President of the Anuradhapura Football Association, Mr. Dacsitha Sumathipala. Anyway, this exciting clash failed to bring out the clear-cut winners as it produced no goal when the final whistle was blown. Then, the fate was thrown for the shooting of penalties. Hopefully, the heroes of Alighar had the last laugh against Zahira College Colombo as the latter could score only 4 points whereas the former fired 5 goals. For Zahira, it was not a big loss as they invariably lift shields periodically at the national level, on the contrary, for Alighar it was the rarest golden moment for them to be crowned as the All Ceylon Champions for many reasons. Firstly, it should be considered as real fete as it lacked several facilities and funds to keep their footballers at the top level of leading schools that have the resources and funds to get the expertise of the national coaches paying an attractive salary. Second, most of the players are from poor families. Nevertheless, they have reached zenith in soccer due to the continues commitment and tireless training of each and every member of the team. Fortunately, Alighar National School that is located in the heart of Eravur Town has got an active and dynamic coach, that is-Mr. S.H. Ashbahan a product of the College of Education of Attalacchenai. The secret behind their success was the high commitment of the team and the methodical training given to the players according to Mr. Aspahan who has been working as a P.T. teacher at Alighar since 2012
Borrowed Shoes Shine to grab the Championship
“Our boys have been attending 3 active sessions per day for over a year to reach this target. Most of them are from poor families and some don’t have the sporting gear to play at the national level. In the final show there were some players who borrowed the shoes of others to be in action.” Mr. Ashbahan poured out these words when the Colombo Times contacted him to know the secret behind their roaring success.
“Haven’t your school got the sponsorship for this team, for you belong to a national school with the strength of approximately 1500 students that has its inception in 1912?”, when this question was posed to him, he clearly pointed out. “There are parents and supporters who rally behind the school to pave the way for achieving success, but games like football need a big amount of money. There are handful of philanthropists who make donations at times to help us confidently compete at the national level. Nevertheless, there is a big gap to be filled in terms of infrastructure and other facilities. This is a big issue for schools that are located in rural areas or in small towns.”
Coach cum Driver
“How was your journey that was made to Colombo for this crucial encounter?” Aligar Coach, Ashbahan responded to this query with a piece of heart-rendering news. The school that has a bus, a 20-seater gave it for this Colombo journey but it couldn’t afford a driver and dutifully, Aspahan played the dual role of being the coach cum driver since the school required around 10 thousand or so to hire a driver. Truly, our boys rose to the occasion to capture the top spot to humbly tell this reality to the nation.
Where there is a will there is a way
This memorable victory clearly gives the message that if there is a will there is a way to get success despite all the odds. Algar that became 2nd Runners up in 2nd Division of All Ceylon school in 2022, this time is in action for Division one in group B with four other soccer giants, Zahira College Colombo, Jaffna Central College, Kalutara M.M.V and Bhaduria College Mawanella. Though they lost their first match through an unfortunate own goal that was against Zahira College Colombo fared extremely well in the league getting success with three wins and a draw. In the Quarter Final. they thrashed Henry College of Ilavalai, Jaffna by 5-0 and then convincingly proved their superiority in the Semi Final by scoring 6-4 against the powerful Jaffna Central College that were the 2nd Runners up in 2022. Their outstanding midfield, M.M. Munsif grabbed two awards, the Man of the Match and the Man of the Series to add more credit to himself and the school. Interestingly, Aligar and Al Aksa of Kinniya were the only two schools that represented the Eastern Province in this All Island under 20 Football tournament that was conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Football Association with the participation of around 20 top schools representing the whole island. Enthusiastically, the National Champions, Alighar warmly welcomes any philanthropist who could join arm in arm with the college to continue its forward march for more glory and success.
The winning squad of Alighar Central College comprises:
S. Muksith Ahamed (cap), I. Siyam, R.M. Ihsan, N.M. Musthak, I.M. Thilham, M.S.M. Al Fathik, A.M. Atheef, M.M.M. Munsif, M.D.M. Sahi, A.J. Sajith Ali, K.M. Jazan, N.M. Numas, K.M. Saroos, I. Mukshith Ahamed, N. M. M. Thahi, N. M. Nifath, M. K. Sakib Ahamed, M.A.C.M. Ahraf, S.H. Ashbahan (Coach)
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