Sharith Amit, youngest but not at all a rookie

The Qatar National 7s team for the Asian Rugby Sevens Trophy (ARST) was announced earlier this week, and the players were chosen from across the clubs in Qatar, including locals and expats.
One player particularly stood out, not only for his abilities but also because he is the youngest of them all, even though he may not look like one.
Sharith Amit is 19 but at six feet and 85kgs, he cuts a commanding figure on the rugby field.
The versatile Amit plays No. 8 (forward) and No. 12 (Centre) positions, and was part of the successful Lions RFC 2016 team, who emerged as the Plate champions at the recently-concluded Qatar Rugby Federation’s (QRF) 7s tournament.
QRF president Yousef al-Kuwari, after the team was announced for the 11-team tournament that will be played March 3-4, had only good things to say about the player.
“We lost a few vital players from last season but managed to balance their loss with quality players like (David) Ford, Amit and (Luke) Ward. They are big boys with plenty of hunger and rugby experience.”
Sharith started playing rugby since he was nine, first at St Peter’s College in Sri Lanka and then in Doha, playing for the Doha RFC in respective age groups up to under-14.
He then played competitive rugby at the age of 15-16 for Lions RFC, before representing St Joseph’s College in the 15s and the schools rugby 7s.
Sharith, who has now returned to Doha, comes from a family of rugby players, being the grandson of Tony Amit, a leading rugby coach in Sri Lanka, and nephew of Ajith Silva, who played for the popular Havelocks Rugby Club back home and also for Sri Lanka.
His brother Shirath was selected to play for Qatar National 7’s team in 2016, after an impressive display during the Sevens league. However, an unforeseen visa issue meant that Shirath couldn’t travel. A groin injury has kept Shirath away from action.

Qatar national rugby sevens squad oozing with strength, speed and talent
The 2017 Qatar National Rugby Sevens team is a combination of local and expat talent.  Players from all the domestic clubs were invited to the national team’s trials and training sessions but it was this team that excelled more than others.
The players vary in age and indigenous backgrounds which reflect the diverse sporting culture of Qatar. The youngest player in the fold is debutant Sharith Amit a dynamic powerful back standing at 6’ft tall and weighing 85kg. The youngster managed to catch the eyes of selectors during the QR7’s league with his menacing defence and natural ability.
On the other end of the scale is 30 years old local boy and Captain Mubarak al-Malik who made his rugby sevens debut in 2006 when Qatar hosted the Asia Games. Over the years Mubarak has developed into a versatility and transition player.  Mubarak has learnt to combine his experience, power and speed to out manoeuvre his opponents.  
The current squad managed to balance last season’s player exodus by picking up some fresh and talented players including Luke Ward (scrum half) and David Ford (forward).  Both players are XV’s specialists and will bring their own style of rugby to sevens. Luke a general on the pitch will be directing traffic his way while Ford will be looking to use his experience and powerhouse strength to dominate play. Backed by vice-captain and dual rugby representative Tom Featherstone the forwards have a ton of agility and look dangerously ferocious.
Tom successfully represented Qatar last season in both the sevens and XV’s and this year his impact and experience will once again be made evident.
Another local veteran is Abdul Kareem al-Muhannadi he will coalesce with fast men Maciej Jan Lenartowicz, Rakan al-Mutwaa and Omer Bahmed who can turn the defense inside out. They all have the potential ability to cause mayhem for the defense and their play can be game changers.
Also worth mentioning are exciting new players, Issac Banks, Boubker LQebch and Ismaail el-Hatmi. Banks whose been knocking on national selection for years will finally taste international competition and get an opportunity to prove ability. Banks is an endurance player with plenty of skill and speed.
Elhatmi and LQebch make their debut and will be looking at consolidating their future careers as national players.
QRF President Yousef al-Kuwari congratulated all the players on their achievement and the hard work they had put in during the last 12 months.
Al-Kuwari said, “We have a great team of dedicated men who sacrificed so much to get this far. We are a strong outfit with big powerful forwards and equally as big and fast out wide. I believe come finals time we will be there”.
“We lost a few vital players from last season but managed to balance their loss with quality players including Ford, Amit and Ward. They are big boys with plenty of hunger and rugby experience.” He added.

The team:
Mubarak al-Malik, Abdul Kareem al-Muhannadi, Rakan al-Mutwaa, Omer Bahmeed, Mohamed Sharith Amit, Boubker LQebch, Maciej Jan Lenartowicz, Tom Featherstone, Isaac Banks, Luke Ward, David Ford, Ismaal el-Hatmi,
Team Manager: Samuel Rico Head Coach: Usaia Biumaiwai, Asst Coach: Talal Mujalli, Doctor: Louis Holtzhausen, Media: Saad Al Abdulla