The passion for sports in Pakistan is unmatched and it goes without saying that the majority looked up to Cricket however there are other sporting fields, as well, where the players are making their mark. Not many are aware that Rugby, a widely popular sport worldwide, was not only played in Pakistan, but the country has done pretty well, in this sport, lately.
Moreover, the fact, which should be the knowledge of every sports lover in Pakistan, is that one of our players had actually been chosen to represent one of the oldest clubs in the World, Ipswich Rugby Club. This English club was founded in 1870 and is the 4th oldest rugby club in the world.
The man named Arsalan Zahid has indeed created history by becoming the first Pakistani to have reached the prestigious Rugby club. Following is a brief chat with the 29-year old Arsalan Zahid, who is also the captain of Pakistan’s Rugby outfit.
Early days:
AZ: My journey has been tough and harsh, I was never owned as an athlete from the institution I graduated from. All they cared about was curricular activities and to continue focusing on sports with such people around me wasn’t easy. But determination can lead you to places.
Family’s support:
AZ: The only recognition I got was from my family as they would push me to do more everyday. Both my parents are an integral part of everything that has happened to me, since they are the only two souls who would believe that I have this fire in me to achieve something big. They have seen me struggling to find a place in sports because I never played for material benefits.
A proud Pakistani:
AZ: I played the sport for my country. I wanted Pakistan to be on top. Everywhere I go, I tell people about the real image of my country and what it really is and how they have misconceptions about us. I could talk to people for hours just to convince them that yes, we are a nation that is different in its own way and yes you are wrong about us.
Why Rugby in a cricket crazy nation?
AZ: Growing up in Lahore, all I saw was cricket around me. I was into various sports and played a lot cricket, basketball and athletics. After my graduation from the Lahore Medical & Dental College, I started practicing dentistry. In 2004, I was introduced to Rugby and after that everything changed. I was lucky to have received a family-like environment at the Lahore Rugby Football Club where I got the first taste of the game and later got addicted to it. Rugby is a physical sport and I have always preferred things out of the norm for myself. I chose the sport because it gave me love, it gave me new bonds and it gave me a way to represent my country. Soon I found my self in the national side.
How were the first two years before playing the first international match?
AZ: I kept on training and rigorously following the directives of the team coach, Rizwan Malik who helped me out with everything I needed to know as a professional player. In June 2006, I played my first international match that was against Guam in Manila, Philippines.
Captaincy and the experience with foreign coaches?
In 2012, I was appointed as captain of the national side which was being coached by Justin Fitzpatrick, who is a former Ireland national player. In 2013, the Pakistan team got Roger Coombs, a coach of Welsh descent, who has been working for the development of Pakistan rugby since then. Under his coaching, recently, Pakistan won the Asian U-19 Rugby Tournament, defeating India in the thrilling final.
The role of Pakistan’s Rugby Union?
The Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) is the game’s governing body in Pakistan which was formally established in 2000 and acquired the membership of the Asian Rugby Football Union in the same year. Among the Union’s prime activities are holding conferences, organising international matches, educating and training players and officials.
In 2003, Pakistan fielded a national team in an international event for the first time, participating in the Provincial Tournament in Sri Lanka. Later in November 2003, the Pakistan Rugby Union became an associate member of the IRB (International Rugby Board).
The President of the Pakistan Rugby Union, Fawzi Khwaja and Secretary, Arif Saeed played a pivotal role for Pakistan Rugby. Under their able patronage, the game is flourishing in Pakistan with every passing day.
At last, the history was made:
I was desperately trying to play the sport at a good level and this year I got my chance, when I was approached by one of the world’s oldest Rugby clubs, Ipswich Rugby and Football Club. It was an honour for me to be a part of the prestigious club and I am looking forward to performing well in my first ever season with them.
The Response:
The Director of club, Karl King along with the team’s South African Captain, Chris Blom are extremely supportive. The people around me, as well, are cooperative and the way they take care of a sportsperson is something we sadly lack in Pakistan.
Experience with the club so far:
I reached the U.K. on Wednesday December 4th, 2013, and did my first training session on the following night. It has been great. I was spellbound the way they received me. Everyone was going out of their way to get me what I needed.
My teammates call me Alex, which is my nickname; the local press mentioned me with the same name. In the London 2 North East league so far, my performance has been satisfactory.
The London 2 North East is an English level 7 Rugby Union League which is made up of teams predominantly from London, Suffolk and Essex. The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April. Promoted teams move up to London 1 North and demoted teams move to London 3 North East.
General public’s response:
I got a great response from the people as well. One my first night, I was walking down a street and a policeman approached me and asked “You are the new player we are getting to play?” I was glad to see that. It was just overwhelming.
Message to the youngsters:
My message to young people playing sports is that there was a whole lot to other sports also, don’t focus on Cricket only, because every human being has something special in him/her, and you just have to find and activate it. All of us are special, all we need to do is to just wait for the right time and place for the special in us to be activated and once you’ll find it, the world is yours.