A new Gymnasium for the students

While getting enlightened with knowledge, a complete man must be full of good health. In keeping with this adage, the G60 headed by the founder President through a project led by M.S. Mazeer donated a fully equipped gymnasium valued at Rs. 2 million to the college in March 2005.  This has become very popular with the students, especially most players of all fields of sports.

New washrooms for the staff

Tsunami Relief and the birth of 'Education for Progress Foundation' (E4P)

It all began on the evening of 25th March 2005 at the Holiday Inn, Colombo. The Zahira College Group of 60' was felicitating the appointment of a member of the group, Hon Justice Saleem Marsoof, as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. It was Justice Marsoof's speech on this occasion that inspired the formation of the Tsunami Relief Committee of the Group of 60' that was later transformed into the Education for Progress Foundation.  

The pictures show Hon. Justice Saleem Marsoof PC handing over a VCD Player to the Principal of Hambantota Zahira

Visit to Hambantota  

G60 played a significant role to help the affected students of Zahira Hambantota and other schools in Hambantota, Kirinda and Lunugamwehera in the aftermath of the Tsunami.  The picture below shows the leader of the delegation Hon. Justice Saleem Marsoof  P.C., handing over a VCD player to the principal Kirinda Muslim School.

Seminar Series for GCE OL and AL students 

The seminar series by the Education & Welfare Committee of the Group of 60 was inaugurated by the President Hon. Justice Saleem Marsoof, PC, on 6^th March 2007 at the Gaffoor Hall, Zahira College, Colombo, in the presence of Professor Tuley de Silva, Mr. Abdul Ahad, Acting Principal and his staff, Executive Committee members of the Group of 60 and students.  This one day programme is one in a series of seminars for students sitting the GCE (Ordinary Level) examination in December 2007.  The series will consist of special lectures on subjects such as Science and Mathematics in which present day Zahirians are particularly weak.  Special attention will be paid to sportsmen who have to spend additional hours at practice, to help them improve their performance at the examination.

Educational Programme for Rugby Players 

From May 2007 special classes in Mathematics, English and Sinhala were conducted for rugger players to motivate them to perform better at the GCE exams so that they could have a longer school career.  The parents and players were briefed on the programme.  As the classes became popular players of other sports such as soccer and cricket were enrolled for the programme.

Scholarship Programme 

The Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Memorial Scholarship Fund programme was launched with the award of 26 scholarships for the students of Zahira in July 2007.  Each AL student will receive a sum of Rs. 1000 for a period of 2 years.  In the programme for the year 2008, the scholarship amount will be increased to Rs. 1500 per month with a larger number of recipients.

M. Riza Abdeen awarding a scholarship

Ifthar 

Every year the G60 invites all its members and well wishers to meet for Ifthar during the month of Ramazan.

Recognition of National Rugger Players 

Sixteen past Zahirians who represented the country at rugger were recognized at a

Gala Dinner in February 2007.

Members Day 

In 2007 too the Members Day was held at the Langs Land Estate, Neboda, Mathugama at the property belonging to the Hamdoon Brothers.  It was an outing for all members, their spouses and friends.  Picture shows some of the happenings on that day.

The G60 has organized the Members Day for the 3^rd consecutive year and this time it will be at Lulua Estate Villa in Avissawella on Sunday, 6^th April 2008.

A Bus for Zahira 

The availability of a motor coach for the College was a long felt need that the Group of Sixty identified and for the first time in the history of the College it will own one to transport students for various outside activities.   Thanks to the untiring efforts of Mr. Fuad Jain, Chairman of the Fund Raising Committee and its members, members of the Executive Committee and the donors, it was possible to raise a sum of around Rs. 2.6 million to purchase a brand new Ashok Leyland 40 seater bus.  This would greatly facilitate the transporting of at least 2 teams, materials and refreshments to various match venues

Fuad Jain

Inter House Rugger Tournament 

For the first time the Zahira G60 organized and sponsored the 10-a-side and 7-a-side inter house rugby tournament in the age categories of under 12, 14, 16 and 20.  It was a colorful events with 160 players from all the 4 houses participating.  Cordova House emerged the champion team. It was held at the College grounds on 26^th January 2008.   An exhibition sevens was also played between CH&FC and the Old Zahirians SC.

Special Guests for the occasion were Ms. Rosie Barrie and Mr. A.G.A. Barrie.  This occasion was also used to recognize the College Soccer Team which had performed extremely well in several tournaments.

The skipper of Cordova House, M.Azhardeen receiving the trophy from Mr. A.G.A. Barrie.

Inter House Cricket Tournament 

The Chairman of the Sub Committee for Cricket of the G60, Mr. M.M. Saheer has great plans of improving the game at Zahira.  The first in the series of activities is the staging of the ongoing inter house cricket tournament.  The finals will be played on Sunday 30^th March 2008.

Welfare 

The Welfare Committee headed by T.M.F. Packeer is planning to undertake the following assignment: 

A raffle was organized under the leadership of M. Riza Abdeen to raise funds for sports activities for the year 2007/2008. Sales commenced in August 2007 and the draw was conducted in October.  Attractive prized were on offer for the lucky winners.  A sum of over Rs. 400,000 was collected by this project with zero expenditure as all expenses were borne by donors. 

Mr. Abdeen is also planning a fund raising campaign with a target of Rs. 2 million annually.  Donations cards valued at Rs. 250 and Rs. 500 each will be distributed through all G60 members.