He may not be the biggest man on the field, but his big and brave heart has made him one of the most versatile and three-dimensional players in Sri Lanka. By some way or the other, Rizah Mubarak has been amongst the top performers for the Sri Lankan Tuskers for over a decade, slotting in the two and three pointers whilst also scoring a few remarkable tries.
Having been a ‘complete player’ and a household name in the Rugby fraternity, the former Isipathana College, CR & FC, Police SC, Havelock SC and Sri Lanka fullback, Rizah Mubarak has officially retired from the oval-ball game following the conclusion of the Dialog Rugby League and the cancellation of the Knockout Tournament. He made it known that this would be his swansong year at the beginning of the league, and made it official after stating a few words to his fans and the local rugby community about his decision earlier last week on ThePapare.com’s Rugby Show ‘What The Ruck’. With the decision already having been made to step out of the game as a player, the nippy fullback will continue to stay in the game as a Coach and hopes to produce quality players in the future.
Mubarak, who first represented Isipathana College in Football, was introduced to Rugby in 2005 after he was spotted kicking the ball very accurately. The next thing you know, Mubarak was a vital cog in the wheel that ran the Green Machine for the next two years that followed.
After representing the Junior Tuskers in his final year as a schoolboy Rugby player, Rizah made his Inter-Club Division I debut wearing the Red Jersey. He managed to secure a permanent position in the CR &FC outfit, which allowed him to make Longdon Place home for the next four years.
Later on in 2013 he played for Police SC and then Navy SC, until he switched to Havelock SC in 2017. By this time, Mubarak was among the senior men who the juniors looked up to. He was a well-groomed and experienced campaigner who had represented Sri Lanka at numerous international tournaments.
One of his most unforgettable outings with the National Tuskers was the Asia Five Nations back in 2012. The following year, he was adjudged the “Most Valuable Player” of the Division 1 Asia Five Nations Tournament and also won the award of being the “Most Promising Player”, all whilst stealing the spotlight as the top point-scorer of the tournament. His great form continued in the Serendib Cup, another mega event that Sri Lanka took part in where Mubarak ended up as the top point-scorer yet again.
ICOIC would like to thank Mubarak for not only entertaining and amusing us with his skills, but especially for rendering his services to the country and the oval ball game. We wish you nothing but the best for your future endeavours.