Nilfer Ibrahim appointed Junior Rugby Coach

By Shamseer Jaleel

Former Kingswood, Kandy SC and Navy SC player and Joes Rugby Coach, Nilfer Ibrahim was appointed as the Head Coach for the Junior World Rugby Tournament (JWRT) Asian Segment which will take place in Malayisa (11-17 December). Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taipei will participate in the group encounters with the winners taking their berth for the Junior World Cup Division II in Uruguay.

Nilfer played for the Randles Hill School from Under-13 to Under-20 representing the senior team from 1994-96. Soon after leaving school he represented the Kandy SC (1996 to 2010) before moving on to Navy for the last two years of his club rugby. Nilfer’s coaching career started with the champions Kandy SC where he oversaw the sevens outfit, winning the trophy. He coached Rajans, Kingswood, Trinity and Isipathana and won many trophies during his coaching stints. In 2009, he coached the Junior National Rugby team in 2009 which took place in Hong Kong winning third place. In 2014, he was appointed as the National Sevens Head Coach thus claiming the number three position at senior level.

He also was the Head Coach when the Sri Lanka Under-18 outfit toured Isle of Man for the Youth Commonwealth Rugby Sevens. Currently, the 39 players being selected and majority are involved in the on-going inter-club competition. The final touring 25 will be selected in early December with either former Royal skipper, Nikila Gunadheera or former Trinity skipper Rahul Karunathilake leading the outfit as both participated in the last JWRT.