I went to see Asian youth rugby event in Fukuoka Japan. I was told from my friends that Sri-lanka under 14 Rugby team is coming to Japan to join the event. I thought that I might be able to meet my old friends from Sri-Lanka. Because I was a rugby coach in Sri-Lanka about 28 years ago.
Under fourteen Rugby team was represented from St. Joseph college. They were the champion of Sri-Lanka rugby tournament for this year. I remembered the time when I coached rugby to the students in Galgamuwa in Sri-Lanka by seeing them.
I felt a little bit nervous when I went into rugby ground after long time. Then, I met members from Sri-Lanka. I said to one of their coach “A-yu-bo-wan” which is the polite
way of greeting in Sri-Lankan language. Then, one of them came to me and told me, “I know you. I was coached rugby from Mr. Kasthuriarachchi who was the captain of Kandy sports club in 1992. and I am from Kingswood college.” and other coaching staff start saying “Oh, I remember Japanese rugby player was in
Kandy”
I lived and worked in Sri-Lanka as rugby coach since 1990 to 1993. I played rugby at Kandy sports cub and I couched rugby to the students of St. Sylvester's college, Dharmaraja college,
and Vidyartha college.
I went gain to Sri-Lanka to implement the community development project from 2007-2011. At that time, I met my old friends in Kandy and they recommended me to start coaching rugby in the remote town of Galgamuwa. Kastriarachi and Walta were the ones who recommended me to the Head Master of UB Wannninayaka college in Galgamuwa. Nobody know rugby, I taught them from the scratch. Handmade rugby poles which is made of bamboo were prepared together with students and villagers.
We had a chance to join Rugby tournament in Nuwaraeriya for the first time. Students were a little bit nervous before the game as it was the first tournament for them to join. But they had gathered their courage, played rugby with joy, achieved the first win. That moment is imprinted in our memory and the moment remains forever. I think each rugby player have each different moment imprinted in his memory.
I was reminded the time when I was in Sri-Lanka and received warm feeling from them.
Thank you very much. Bohoma Istuti. Arigato gozaimasu
