NATIONAL players Jumat Lias and Willy Cheah Ui Lee cannot imagine life without rugby.

The sport has played an important role in their lives and as recipients of the Combined Old Boys Rugby Association’s (COBRA) financial assistant programme, they feel rugby has secured a promising future for them.

“If not for COBRA’s financial help, I wouldn’t know what I would be doing. Their support has benefited all of us,” said Jumat who is in his final semester in Sports Science at the Malaya University.

Willy, a sports science graduate, said it took his family some time to acknowledge his passion.

“Being the eldest son, it was difficult at first. Getting stitches on my head and prone to injuries, it was a nightmare for my parents,” said Willy, 23.

Jumat and Willy are among the five getting financial support from COBRA for their education. The others are Lee Wei Ming (Accountancy – UPM), Mazlan Ismail (Sports Sc. – UTM) and Mohd Hafizi Osman (Geology – UM)

Both Jumat and Willy were met after the launch of the 3rd Prudential COBRA Tournament on July 21 at the Civil Service Golf Club (KGPA) at Bukit Kiara. The ‘golfing for a cause’ event, which has attracted 120 participants, could raise a total of RM25,000.

Insurance giants Prudential made the event memorable by sponsoring RM15,000 and pledged to work with COBRA as part of their long-term plan.

COBRA President Datuk Krishnan Tan said accountability and transparency is vital to maintaining a healthy relationship with sponsors.