COLOMBO: Principals of Zahira and Wesley colleges. have issued a joint statement following the post-match incident on Monday August 7.which injured 10 Zahirians.
The statement issued on Wednesday, Aug. 9 stated ” As the Management of Wesley College & Zahira College, Colombo, we condemn the brutal attack on the Zahira players that followed the football match between both schools on the 7th of August, 2023, at Cooray Park.
It must also be noted that the principals of both schools met yesterday at Zahira College and shared their concerns. The matter is now under the investigations of the law enforcing authorities of the country. Let us leave the matter with the authorities to find the real culprits and bring them to book.
Both Zahira and Wesley Colleges have always maintained a high level of mutual relationship and determined to continue the same by training the students to respect & care each other.
Thus, we call upon our students, parents, old boys and the entire fraternity not to resort to any acts that incite violence or animosity which may damage the dignity that has been hitherto espoused by both the schools for the past many years..”
Sportsmanship is primary. Principals have agreed, hence we need to abide.
As a proud past pupil of Zahira College, I must commend the recent effort made by the school to repair its relationship with Wesley College after the unfortunate brawl during a football game. It’s heartening to see schools taking responsibility and working towards maintaining a positive environment for healthy competition and sportsmanship.
However, it’s impossible to ignore the contrasting situation Zahira College Colombo encountered with Hameedia Al Husseinie College Colombo from over a decade ago. The absence of any action taken to address the brawl between Zahira and Hameedia raises concerns about the way conflicts are handled and resolved. This lack of effort in the past has led to lingering tension between the stakeholders of both schools, which continues to affect the overall atmosphere within both communities.
In the past, both Zahira College and Hameedia College were known to develop as powerhouses in the education industry, fostering healthy competition that motivated students to excel both academically and in extracurricular activities. It’s disappointing to witness the strained relationship between these two institutions over the last decade, especially considering the positive history they once shared. I believe it’s important for Zahira College to reflect upon its actions and consider reaching out to Hameedia College for a meaningful dialogue and reconciliation. Repairing this relationship would not only benefit the schools involved but also set an example for other institutions to follow, fostering a culture of unity, respect, and collaboration.
Just as Zahira has taken a positive step towards repairing its relationship with Wesley College, it’s time to extend that effort to heal the wounds of the past with Hameedia College as well. By addressing the past and working together towards a more harmonious future, both schools can once again become beacons of healthy competition and academic excellence in the Sri Lankan education landscape.
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