• Sri Lanka confident
• In Brief
• Priyadarshana - Sportsman of the Year 
• Anthonians Sports Club - Awards Presentation
• Kandy confident to win over CH
• Rover Pinpoints.................
• D.S. Soccer carnival today
• Stiff opposition for Yoga Perera
• National Billiards Championships in progress at the Race Course
• Rizvi Farook tops SLARDAR Rally
• Talduwa Rally Cross 2001 on July 22
• Roshan Mahanama's Autobiography 
• Lanka out to prove their strength in traingular one dayers
• Lanka in Pool one
• Roshan makes winning debut for CR

Lanka to host Asian women's Netball Tournament

Sri Lanka confident

By Jodie Jenkins

The tournament is less than a month away but watching the team practice their skills they appeared confident and ready to face whatever the rest of Asia had to throw at them. Working strongly as a team they moved with speed and precision seemingly secure in both defense and attack.

Netball has fast become the female equivalent of Cricket for Sri Lanka's girls. All the members of the team have played from a tender age as netball continues to reaffirm its status as the main sport played, by girls, in schools throughout the country. For these girls as for thousands of others, schools created a foundation for their passion in the game.

Talking to two of the teams devoted players Narmada and Damayanthi as they rested from their demanding training session it became obvious that the girls not only believed in themselves but also in the ability of all of their fellow players. Both 24, the two girls are already used to playing at a high level and are confident that this year's team has what it takes to become champions. 

The team consists of players from many different religions and backgrounds. Ranging from fifteen to thirty there is great diversity in the players. Nevertheless from the hill countries to the south coast they all have the same goal in mind and everyone is willing to give 100% in order to achieve that dream.

However the team has quite a reputation to live up to. In past years Sri Lanka's netball teams have been champions twice, in 1990 and 1997, as well as being placed runners-up in 1985 and 1993.

Unfortunately this promising track record has seen a decline over the last couple of years. On an international level they have dropped from 21st in the world to 27th in a matter of 2 years therefore finding themselves placed behind Asian teams such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.

In order to pull themselves out of this lull the president of the netball federation, Trixie Nananayakara, has recruited a new Coach, Hyacinth Wijesinghe. This enthusiastic woman has only been a part of the team for a total of four months but already has enormous confidence in their ability.

"Monthly reports have shown improvements in all of the players" Wijesinghe boasted, "All of the girls have achieved over 90% fitness and are now all working roughly on the same level".

lt is not easy to become a member of the national team, the players were selected through competitive talent identification tournaments. Only twelve players are selected along with three reserves and three standbys. There are over twenty-five clubs throughout the country making the number of potential qualifiers quite high.

Consequently when becoming part of the team standards remain high and the girls need to train six days a week morning and afternoon in order to perfect their skills and maintain fitness.

"There is a need for very serious practice but we are very hopeful and confident," said their Manager Alexi de Silva. The team was recently taken to the Seychelles in order to practice against another national team in a friendly match. The aim of this visit was for the girls to bond as a team and to become accustomed to playing against foreign countries of a high standard.

"The trip was a great success", commented Wijesinghe "day by day I see the team continue to improve".

Unfortunately even as the sports success continues to grow it is still unable to receive the recognition that it deserves especially considering the amount of dedication that is applied. Netball does not seem to be a sport that Sponsors are particularly interested in pouring their money into.

However despite the lack of Sponsorship the game does receive great support from the Government and Sports Ministry. Most of the girls have been given duty leave from their employers for two months in order to train and represent their country as best as they can. In their eyes the sport has a lot of credibility and they are proud that they have the opportunity to play.

The tournament is set to take place from the 23rd to the 29th of July and with high spirits and the support of their families and team members of the Sri Lanka side believe they stand a good chance in regaining the title.

Sri Lanka, the defending champions will be led by Damayanthi Jayatillaka and will be assisted by Wijeyajith Arachchige Harshani Priyangika who makes a determined effort to retain the title, adds President Trixie Nanayakkara while Coach Hyacinth Wijesinghe was optimistic of retaining it too. Malaysia and Singapore are the dark horses.

The Sri Lanka team: Damaynthi Jayatilleka, Harshani Priyangika, Sandya Jayasooriya, J.A. Ratha Victoria, Anoma Sriyakanthi, Chamika Viloshani Aponso, Lakmini Wijeratne, Sashika Samarasinghe, Gishanthi Jayakody, Malkanthi Dha-mmika and Lalani Priyangika.

In Brief

Narawelpita MMV Division 2 champs

By M.Shamil Amit

The first stage of the tournament was completed with Division Two coimpleted at Thurstan grounds. Narawelpita MMV Hakmana, a school which started rugger only last year, taking part in a major tournament for the first time, won the cup championship defeating Kegalu MV 40-0. The Plate championship was won by Thihagoda MMV defeating Gnanissara MV Willorawatte 12-0 and St. Luke's Ratnapura annexed the Bowl championship defeating Rajasinghe MV Hanwella 19-0. 

In the Cup semi-finals Narawelpita MMV beat Kularatne Central Godakawela 34-0 and Kegalu MV beat Devapathiraja College Ratgama 10-0. In the Plate semi-finals Thihagoda MMV beat St. Anthony's Wattala 10-0 and Gnanissara MV beat Sarasavi Uyana 12-0 while in the Bowl championship St. Luke's beat Dharmaratne MV Moratuwa 14-5 and Rajasinghe MV beat Veluwana MV Colombo 10-0.

Meanwhile the Division One tournament has reached the quarter final stage. Eight teams have qualified for the Cup championship namely Wesley, Royal Colombo, Dharmaraja, Eheliyagoda MMV, St. Anthony's Kandy, Thurstan, Lumbini and D.S.Senanayake. 

Wesley ran up the highest score in the tournament defeating Royal Panadura 91-0. The remaining matches will be played at Longdon Place today with the final scheduled at 5.00 p.m.

Mini Tennis goes to Bandarawela 

The following schools participated at this programme with more than 300 attendees - which included students, teachers and Principals. St. Thomas' College, Bandarawela,Bandarawela Madya Maha Vidiyalaya and Visakha Balika Maha Vidyalaya, St.Joseph's National School Little Flower Convent. This Mini-Tennis Programme is being introduced and launched for the benefit of students in the Primary Section - Grades 1 to 5. This would benefit over 3,000 children in the Bandarawela District. The Chairman, Coaching & Promotion of SLTA stated: "Our main goal is to take the Game of Tennis to the rural areas and find talented youth to represent our country". 

"Even a 5-year-old could enjoy the game of tennis," Mr. Ananda Silva, the Tennis Development Officer in Bandarawela had this to say and further went on to state: 

"It is a great opportunity for the youth of Bandarawela that they are able to participate at this great and prestigious venture launched by SLTA and we at Bandarawela may find and produce another Susanthika or Jayasuriya in the field of tennis. We therefore take this opportunity to thank SLTA for the opportunity given in this regard to the youth of Bandarawela." 

First Sports Medicine Conference

The Conference which is being organised by the Sri Lanka Orthopaedic Association will be conducted by four leading Sports Medicine Doctors from Australia.They are Dr.David Young,Dr Warwick Bruce,Prof.Hans Vander Wall and Dr.Sri Kannangara.

The aim of the Conference will be to expose Sri Lankan Surgeons,Doctors,Physiotherapist and other medical personnel to current ideas used in Australia to handle sports related injuries.At the same time the conference will serve to increase awareness of the importance of sports medicine and to lay the foundation for shared learning between Australian and Sri Lankan health professionals in the years to come. The Conference which will be held on the 22 nd and 23 rd of July is open to all Doctors,Physiotherapists and Allied Health Personnel.Registration desks are now open at the Teaching Hospitals in Colombo North and Colombo South and the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka(BCCSL).

Dr. Siri Kannangara, pride of Sri Lanka

By Bernie Wijesekera

He was a key official in the Aussie Medical team at the last Olympics. An expert in Sport Medicine he is constantly globe-trotting with the Aussie national soccer team.

Mestro Sachin Tendulkar too has profited much from Dr. Siri's expertise to overcome a recurring injury, whilst in Sydney.

With his charming ways Dr. Kannangara has been in attendance with the Sri Lanka cricket team whenever they toured Australia. Sri Lanka's workhorse Chaminda Vaas will testify to this effect how he helped him to overcome a nagging back injury. Today Vass is back on the field, thanks to Dr. Kannangara. If there is any other expert in Sport Medicine in Sri Lanka who could match him is former Army Maj. Gen. Dr. C. Thurairaja, the best in the country. Dr. Siri confirmed this whilst in Sydney.

It should do well the Minister of Tourism and Sports Lakshman Kiriella could use his good offices to get Dr. Kannangara to train our locals for a short session despite "Siri" working on a tight schedule. 

Both Kiriella and Dr. Siri are close pals and hail from the same village in Bandaragama. Though domiciled in Australia (Sydney), is obliging and ready to help anyone be it from his motherland or otherwise. Dr. Siri told The Sunday Times "my first love is football." This is the reason for my commitment for Aussie soccer, for over two decades."

Mercantile Badminton 

CIC Paints Limited is sponsoring the championships for the fourth consecutive year. 

According to the President of the MBA, Gamini Jayasuriya there will be a parallel tournament to give an opportunity for the first round losers to vie for a place in the plate championships.

Winners will get cash prizes too in addition to the trophies and certificates, with several firms offering to give gift packs as a gesture of goodwill. Participants from 160 firms will be seen in action in this four-day tournament, with the top ranked national players doing duty for their respective firms. Entries will close with the Tournament Secretary, Shawn Sheik C/O Lanka Bell, 68, Badduhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 4 on July 12.

Government Services 7-a-side 

This tournament will be played at the Chandra Silva Stadium at Kotte.

The teams fielding two teams are, Colombo Municipality, Kandy Municipality, Cargills, Government Printing Department, Central Bank, Prisons while Jayewardenepura Campus, Kotte, Dehiwala/ Mount Lavinia, Ratnapura and Kurunegala Municipal Councils will field one team each.

Priyadarshana - Sportsman of the Year 

Light Infantry won the overall championships aggregating 408 points out of the thirty teams that participated for honours. 

Priyadarshana, Sri Lanka's swimming representative at the Disabled Olympics in Sydney showed improved form in winning his events. 

Commando Regiment finished as runner-up overall.

Sandun Vasana of Nylander Home won the best lifters trophy in Powerlifting, Major H.R. Wickremasinghe of the Singha Regiment won the Champion Archer trophy, while K.W.N. Chandana of the Light Infantry won the Most Outstanding Player in volleyball for below knee amputees with Thushara Sanjeewa of the Deaf School winning the Most Outstanding Player for Deaf.

J. Barty Silva of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was chosen as the Man of the Series in Amputee cricket and W.M. Jayatilaka Banda of Ranaviru Sevana won the Best Performance trophy for the Wheel Chair Marathon. 

Results of other winners of the trophies: 

Table tennis

Outstanding player below knee amputee - B.A. Buddhika, Light Infantry; Outstanding player above knee amputee - W.M. Wijesekera, Gajaba Regiment; Outstanding player army amputee - K. Raja Rajeswaram, Rehab Lanka; Outstanding player wheel chair - J.K.W. Munidasa, Commando Regiment.

Badminton

Outstanding player below knee amputee - W.G.A. Lalith Kumara, Light Infantry, Outstanding player above knee amputee - R.M.U.U. Rajakaruna, Singha Regiment; Outstanding player arm amputee - G.G. Upul Bandara, Commando Regiment; Outstanding player wheel chair - V.G. Nishantha, Light Infantry.

Swimming

Males: Best performance above knee amputee - W.M.I.C. Wanninayake, Navy; Best performance below knee amputee - K.V.C. Priyadarshana, Light Infantry; Best performance deaf - K.W.M. Ruwan, Islamic Disable Centre, Thihariya. 

Best performance mentally retarted - I.R. Ratnayake, Vocational Training Centre, Seeduwa; Best performance partially blind - S.C. Malawarachchi, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment; Best performance partially blind - S 13 - S.G.S.I Senaratne, Commando Regiment; Best performance total blind - A.G.S. Asanka Kumara, Gajaba Infantry Regiment; Best performance physically disabled - S 7 - R.M. Jayasundara Banda, Light Infantry; 

Females: Best Performance partially blind - S.A. Jeewanthi-Siwiraja Deaf & Blind School. 

Athletics 

Males: Best Athlete Class 1 - Wheel Chair - K.S. Weerasinghe - Light Infantry; Class 2 - Wheel Chair - S.D. Madurawa - Ranaviru Sevana; Class 3 - Above knee amputee - W.M.J. Wijesekera - Gajaba Regiment; Class 4 below knee amputee - R.M. Ranasinghe - Light Infantry. Class 5 - Symes - R.J.M. Udaya Kumara - Gajaba Regiment; Class 6 arm amputee - M. Piyal Ranaviru Sevana; Class 7 - arm amputee - S.A. Shantha Kumara, Commando Regiment; Class 8 - Totally blind - S.S. Udaya Kumara, Ranaviru Sevana; Class 9 - Partially blind - N.A.L. Nissanka - Commando Regiment; Class 10 - Partially blind - E.M.J.B. Ekanayake - Vijayabahu Regiment; Class 7 deaf - A.A.R.K. Adikari - Commando Regiment; Class 9 Mr Male - K.K. Seneviratne and M.R.R.C. Amunukumbura Wathurugama. 

Females: Best Athlete - Class 2 - wheel chair - Ranjene Wellage - Suhada Lama Niwasaya; Class 4 - below knee amputee - Subane Udeshika - Rehab Lanka; Class 8 - Totally blind - R. Ruwane Dipika - Siviraja Deaf & Blind School, Mahawewa; Class 8 - Partially blind - G.G. Anoma Priyadarshana - Vocational Training Institute, Seeduwa.

Class 9 Mrs Female - Nilanka Perera - Supem Uyana.

Class 10 - M.W.A.S. Maduwanthi - Deaf & Blind School, Tangalla. 

Challenge Trophies for the Winners

* Challenge Trophy for Amputee Soccer - Commando Regiment; 

* Challenge Trophy for Wheel Chair Tennis - Sri Lanka Light Infantry; 

* Challenge Trophy for Amputee Cricket - Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment; 

* Challenge Trophy for Badminton - Sri Lanka Light Infantry; 

* Challenge Trophy for Swimming - Sri Lanka Light Infantry; 

* Challenge Trophy for Archery - Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment; 

* Challenge Trophy for Table Tennis - Sri Lanka Light Infantry; 

* Challenge Trophy for Volley Ball (Above Knee Amputee) - Sri Lanka Light Infantry; 

* Challenge Trophy for Volley Ball (Above Knee Amputee) - Deaf School - Ratmalana; 

* Challenge Trophy for Athletics - Sri Lanka Light Infantry.

Anthonians Sports Club - Awards Presentation

Anthonians Sports Club Wattala which boasts of a proud history of 46 years, is the only club in the Gampaha District to participate in the Division 1 tournament conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka.

Kandy confident to win over CH

By Aubrey Kuruppu

The Havelocks are certainly not enjoying a tremendous season which is a pity from the point of view of their skipper Sanjeeva Jayasinghe who is one of the nicer guys of the sport. The Havies had a narrow win over Kandy Youth in a match they should have lost, so much for the has beens.

Kandy SC has looked a little vulnerable at times. The Army exposed a few chunks but were unable to fully capitalise. 

Kandy's win against the Police last Sunday was not as facile as the 39-5 scoreline makes it out to be. For much of the time the back division was unable to pierce the defence. 

It was only in the last quarter of the game that the Kandy team almost ran amok and gathered points seemingly at will - Mallikarachchi scored the first try, but thereafter the three quarters were stalled by the fighting policemen. Bandaranaike's absence was felt. 

Manjula Pathirana, his replacement, did make a couple of forays. But he was not in the same street.

The power, and in some cases, the pall of the Kandy forwards continued to set up their wins. 

Omar has thrown himself into the fray with zest and total commitment. He's a tough lad to bring down. Jayasena and Basnayake enjoy continued dominance in the lines out, while Kapila Silva is a tireless worker.

The CH&FC, who oppose Kandy SC this evening, are the reigning league champions and also the Nittawela team's closest challengers. They suffered a shock defeat at the hands of the rugged soldiers. 

However they came back strongly in the second half to demoralise and defeat the Havies. 

The Maitland Crescent side generally gives Kandy a good run for their money. 

This could be the case this time round, too.

It has been said, probably in jest, that the CH&FC come to life and produce their best late in the game. Probably they have turned this into a fine art. 

One feels that the Colombo team will be dicing with death if they carry this tactic into the Kandy SC game. 

The latter may be too far ahead by then for any belated catching up. 

No one in the CH&FC team knows the Nittawela turf better than ex- Kandy fly half and full back Nalin Dissanaike. 

Playing in the pivotal position, he will have his hands full and his work cut out in trying to outwit the Kandy defence. Dissanaike also takes the conversions. Full back Wijeratne could also be tested to the limit.

Summing up, this should be a good game. Yet the Kandy team which is presently playing with supreme confidence (born of several victories) should come through. 

From a spectator's point of view, it would be good if its thrill-a-minute rugby until the last blast. This is simply because some of the other games were non-starters. 

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