No more venom in the Cobra team these days
COBRA (Combined Old Boys Rugby Association) was formed to promote rugby, especially for young school-leavers and university graduates who could not afford to join the then only rugby club – the Royal Selangor Club.
The club was too expensive to join and so the Victoria Institution Old Boys’ Association decided to form Cobra and open their club to all those interested. Since the newly formed Cobra had no grounds to train at, they trained at Universiti Malaya. UM’s Varsity Blues and Cobra became a common sight to behold. Close relationships developed between the two teams and Cobra often borrowed Varsity players. Cobra’s annual dinner at Kum Leng restaurant in Pudu was well patronised by all members and Uni- versiti Malaya’s rugby team was always their special guest. Cobra’s earliest tour of Perak in 1968 comprised several Varsity players. In the early 1970s Cobra had three teams. The Selangor team and national team were dominated by Cobra players. But today, Cobra can’t even raise 10 players of their own to play in their 10–a-side competition. Why is this?
The fears which early members felt are becoming reality. Instead of a rugby club, Cobra is becoming a drinking club. When members have no role or place in the club, when big money runs the club, this is the result. When a club pays players just to win, they neglect training and developing new players. Who benefits when foreign players represent the club? How many of our boys have acquired the skills of the Fijians – NONE! Having foreign players who cannot impart their skills or inspire others is a waste of time and money. In order to improve and develop skills good coaches are needed, those who can inspire and motivate local boys.
Why would local boys train hard if they know they won’t be selected?
Malaysians can match foreign players if they have sufficient exposure and are properly coached. I have seen our local school boys bring down Fijians twice their size. Yes, years ago Perak sent a 10-a-side team with several Fijians for a tournament in Kota Baru and a school team coached by ex-Cobra and police player, Mohd Noor Amin, did just that – tackle these Fijians at one go. Japan showed us they could beat the springboks. We can too. Cobra’s venom seems to have disappeared. Players today can’t tell tales of their good times because they have none. Ask any old-timer and he will recount the old days of glory, grit and determination - how a five-foot tall Aziz Ismail brought down a six-footer; how Nashatar Singh out-jumped the Oxford-Cam_ bridge team in 1957 at Merdeka Stadium; how Lim Say Tee scored a try against the Japanese in the Hong Kong Sevens; and how Cobra challenged the mighty New Zealend Regiment at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya.