By Ravi Nagahawatte
Ruggerite Haris Omar's rise to stardom was no easy than climbing a greased pole. And at the end when he was on top of "everything" the twenty-two-year-old went about with his head bowed. Omar remembers as if today a saying his mother once taught him. "Stalks of paddy when ripe bend low towards the ground".

As Haris himself puts it, life for him was never a bed of roses. That tough boarding life while in school probably accounts for who he is today. The tough as nails youngster, possessing all the born guts in the world, is one of the most feared forwards on the rugby scene. As for Omar, he knows no fears.

One Asian Championship and one Neighbours Cup Tournament was all he needed to establish himself in the national side. The third row forward has stood out in both attack and defence and the impact he has made on the national selectors has been tremendous.

Nearly chucked up
However, three years ago a testing time prevailed for Haris who was in two minds whether to quit or continue his rugby career after leaving school. The first few sessions put in with the club players was like torture for young Omar who had not hesitated one bit to call up his father, Izwan, and tell him that he had had enough. But the former Trinity ruggerite and Kandy Sports Club player had used tact like he had always done in persuading his son to give it a try for a few more days. Haris took it as a challenge and was rewarded when his name was nominated by coach Nimal Lewke, for the fifteen a side team. Omar was 'cut and polished' into a gem of a player by the wizardry Lewke. And when the time came to pick the best seven players the team owned, Haris' name became an automatic choice.

Total commitment
Dedication has been a key feature in his career up to now. This total commitment to rugby began from his schoolboy days when he first took the field as a fly half. Rugby had meant everything to him, even at the tender age of nine - a period of time where most kids try to figure out why they have to get involved in serious sport. Haris, however was never pushed or forced into rugby. "It was my independent decision to play rugby. Of course the society I lived in influenced me a lot to take to the game," reminisced Omar. And going back to that word dedication, Haris dedicates whatever he does to his father. "I wan't my father to be happy of my performances."

Guru's advice
Being a Sri Lanka Schools' Captain in the first ever junior ASIAD in 1994, a "Trinity Lion" in 1995 and a national player in '96 highlight his achievements in the sport. While giving me these details yet another old saying struck him, this time the guru being Sri Lanka skipper and a stalwart of Kandy SC, Priyantha Ekanayake. "Nothing comes easy before it's hard". Only a few minutes into the interview and I fell like I was speaking to a philosopher or a wiseman. Apart from playing rugby he goes out with his friends, listens to music and is currently pursuing higher studies in management and accountancy. I asked him whether studies takes up a good part of his day. With my pen ready, I expected the answer to be yes, but Haris replied in the negative. "I do study, but only when the examinations near."

Bradby a very special meaning
Haris has had many experiences in the rugby field. But what the "Bradby" has given him is very special to him. "All the rivalry is forgotten by the social which follows after the match," stated the former Trinity captain, who added that he still has close ties with many Royalists who played in this traditional fixture. Haris recalled a moving comment which was made to him and his team-mates by a Royalist in the year which he led Trinity to victory. "We played our hearts out, but we could not win. We had it for two years. We are happy that you also can hold the Bradby."

When pushed into a corner or a tight spot, Haris has always come out on top. It probably accounts for why he does not have an idol in the sport. "A situation is my idol and not people," reflected Omar.

Keeping his cool in the field probably came to him naturally like his flair for the run and pass game. Omar was quite sure of himself when he said that he does not get angry. And if one can remember, the third row forward never had problems with anyone. The boyish behaviour still seems to be in Haris. This was evident when he disclosed that he tries to cultivate a friendship with opposing players by occasionally pinching them or winking at them while the game is on.

In an era where youngsters and grown ups crave alike for material things, it was with great seriousness that Haris revealed a principle he practices - to be contended with what one has. "I do not crave for material things."

Haris is grateful to his family, coaches, friends, senior players, sponsors and the people who guided him and helped him to achieve what he has.