Aravinda unchallenged at Ratnapura road races

The inaugural road races held recently at Ratnapura not only created history but also provided a tremendous shot in the arm for the whole sport of motor racing in Sri Lanka.

Well, it was the amazing turn-out that superseded all exceptions of the organizers as well as others. Nowhere in Sri Lanka ever before was such a massive attendance witnessed, with unofficial estimation reaching 250,000.

The unbelievable enthusiasm of the general public made the official estimation look ludicrous. The total number of 50,000 printed tickets were snapped up in a matter of minutes. The huge accumulation of spectators left organizers with no other choice but to open the gates. Those eager to catch the first glimpse of the exciting world of motor racing poured in their numbers to fill all vantage points without sparing an inch around the Ratnapura new road area. And they were not disappointed.

On the track what was described by many veteran motor racers as country's best for road races, the unchallenged star was Aravinda Premadasa. Driving an all new Subaru Impreza coupe Aravinda was simply too good for the rest, taking the chequered flag from none other than his father Suranjith Premadasa, himself the country's best known motor racing ace who was doing duties as the President of the Southern Motor Sports Club, which conducted the races magnificently.

Southern Motor Sports Club and its set of dynamic set of officials such as Treasurer Ashhar Hameem, president Premadasa, secretary Preethi Palliyaguru, vice presidents Mohan Surendra and Dudley Hettiarachchi, Lalin de Silva, Jeyaraj Wijeweera and Andrew de Silva had worked tirelessly and provided a showpiece to live up to their reputation as the best all round organisers of motor sports events.

Minnows Sabaragamuwa Motor Sports Club, who organised this meet as their first ever active competition also played a major part as co-hosts.

The vastness of the mass of people thronging the area gave another headache to the organisers. Controlling 250,000 people who had never before seen motor racing and had little idea how dangerous the place could be was not easy. The handful of policemen on duty was certainly not sufficient. However, Minister John Seneviratne the president of Sabaragamuwa Club has promised more personnel to control crowds in future. Organisers have already taken steps to erect barricades and alternate routes for vehicular traffic during races in future.

Aravinda Premadasa had a terrible start to the open event which gave his main rival Dilantha Malagamuwa just enough room to squeez himself into the lead, which he secured till crashing into the sand bags at the final bend of the second lap. Premadasa's Subaru Impreza WRX, on show for the first time in the circuit was untouchable since then. Malagamuwa finally gave up in third lap when his Impreza STI II gave trouble while a failure of Dinesh Deheragoda's Mitsubishi Carisma also made things easier for Premadasa. Rizvy Farook and Madushan Mannapperuma finished second and third.

In motor cycles however, there was no one to challenge the supremacy of Sri Lanka road race king Malagamuwa. Malagamuwa's dominance was simply awesome and there was not even a hint of a challenge. Krishan Dias and Naveen Dassanayake son of former Motor Cycle great Upali Dassanayake finished second and third. Dassanayake rode on a high powered 750 CC bike.

In the group MXT cars modified/Turbo event saw a horrific crash in which experienced T.G.N. Gamini was badly injured with a broken leg and rushed to hospital after his Morris Mini was broken into two by the impact of the accident. In the ensuing confusion, Prasanna Ranasinghe managed to win the race ahead of Nihal Weerasinghe who had stopped midway following a wrong flag signal by a panicked marshal. However after protests Weerasinghe was adjudged winner by organisers while injured Gamini won third place.

There was another protest by Ravi Iddamalgoda over the specifications of the winning car of Group A cars standard more than 10 Kg/HP driven by Nihal Premasiri. But after a weigh-in later Premasiri's Honda Civic was found to be of correct weight and organisers rejected Iddamalgoda's protest. Iddamalgoda finished second while Upulwan Serasinghe came third.

The most popular victory of the meet belonged to local hero Nilanga Dela. Dela, the Basnayake Nilame of renowned Saman Devale and also a vice president of Sabargamuwa Club produced a stupendous comeback after a failed engine gave other competitors at least a half a Kilometre head start. Dela amazingly came from sixth in first lap to finish first by more than 500 metres ahead of second placed Rohith de Silva, in this Group MXT modified Turbo event.

De Silva however exhibited the hidden power in his Mini Havoline winning the more prestigious Group MXT event upto 1665 CC with a brilliant run that saw him get the better of Rizvy Farouk's much more powerful Honda V-Tec. Rameez Mahamoor was third in this event.

Ana's return helps Havies' rugby revival

By Bernie Wijesekera

To the echo of 'Go Havies, Go', Havelocks S.C. outplayed arch-rivals CR &FC to emerge inter-club rugby 'sevens' Cup Champions at the CR&FC grounds, amidst pomp and pageantry.

The first to the start of the year 2,000 rugby calendar this produced exciting rugby to the avid fans, who were in their numbers to watch this great happening. For the first time it was sponsored by National Insurance Corporation.

There was a carnival atmosphere with rugby fans from all walks of life watching two days of running rugby.

The Cup Final between two leading clubs in the local rugby fraternity was a dazzling display with nine goals scored, Havies winning 49-14 - apparently may be a record in a Cup 'Sevens' rugby final.

The organisers were Rugby Union in collaboration with the Western Province RFU. The committee headed by Capt. Harsha Mayadunne left no flaws in the silk. Fittingly Lali Kobbekaduwe, widow of the legendary late Denzil Kobbekaduwe, who played for the Park Club too was the chief guest and handed over the Cup Championship trophy to Havelocks S.C. amidst rounds of applause. Mrs Padmini Kumarasinghe, wife of late Lal Kumarasinghe, was the guest of honour. She handed over the man-of-the-series award to Leonard de Zylwa, also from Havelocks.

The well-drilled Havies team coached by Ana Saranapala, a former stalwart of Isipatana and Havies, should be commended for a job well done to start this revival, when the Park Club's image was in a state of disarray in recent years.

Chips down

When the chips were down Ana took over the coaching, ably assisted by Chairman rugby committee, Chaminda Rupasinghe and Manager Peter Jayawardena. The trio worked in unison and sowed the seeds last year. Well the youngsters, too gave their hearts out. As a result the Havies were able to reap the harvest in the cool month of January, with a stupendous team effort, when they outplayed and outclassed the Longden Place Club.

After the finals Saranapala was interviewed by The Sunday Times. He said the boys really deserve all credit for this superb win. True, I coached and motivated them. But with the three Ds - discipline, devotion and dedication, they achieved their objective. Skipper Chanaka Nishantha (Alex) by example led from the front. Sanjweewa Jayasinghe a sprinter of class - with his zigzag runs bemused the defence. Undoubtedly he was a thorn to the CR defence. Leonard De Zylwa, Kalum Senarath, M. Deen, Hilmy Shaeed and Lalindra, a promising schoolboy co-ordinated. Was there any individual brilliance? Yes. But don't forget the ball changes several hands before the line is crossed, he added. This is why rugby is the most eye- catching sport in the world.

Ana has tremendous know-how which could be imparted to his charges. He has played from the pivotal position as the Havies (fly-half), referee, administrator and a shrewd tactician. He commands respect allround.

What's your plan for the future? One swallow does not make a summer. Certainly this superb win will inject tremendous enthusiasm, be it among the players and the membership.

We have to do a lot of planning for a better future. I am confident that well-wishers will come forward to help us with men and material. The committee headed by Rupasinghe and Peter Jayawardena spent much of their personal time and the lads were committed. They are prepared to work hard and are prepared to learn from their mistakes. There are lots of youngsters, who want to join the Havies scrum. They will put much pressure on the seniors. In the end its rugby which is going to be the winner, he added.

If the players maintain this tempo, then the Park Club is assured of enjoying a blooming season Ana added.

Hisham Abdeen, the player of the 80s said, it was in 1987 that the Havies, won the 'Sevens' without expatriates, under Kolitha Gunatilleke. This is the repeat of '87. Though Havies won in 1995, the team was bolstered by foreigners.

Ajit Abeyratne and Dr. Maiya Gunasekera, two past stalwarts of the CR&FC, lauded the Havies for this superb win. No two words, the red shirts were out-played and melted under pressure. In the end rugby was the winner.

In the past Havies played a dominant role in the local scene. Dr. Hubert Aloysius, Nimal Maralande, Frankie David, Y.C. Chang, Gamini Fernando, Glen Vanlanberg, Jupana Jayawardena, brothers Jeff and Dan Ratnam, Thajone Savanghan, Frank Hubert, Angelo Wick-remaratne, Michael Jayasekera, Omar Sheriff, Maurice Silva, Aruna Uduwelagedera, Marco de Silva, just to name a few, excelled for the club and for the country.

Less affluent

CR, looked a competent side. On this day Havies had all their cylinders firing. The Sri Lanka Navy, too excelled. They lost to the Old Zahirians in the Bowl Final and lost to Kandy S.C. in the Plate Final speaks well for their courageous displays.

But the little girls from Sabaragamuwa stole the limelight. They put up a plucky display against the strong Army women's team to hold them to a draw in the Final even after extra time. The less affluent girls from the Ratnapura district were the showpiece and won rounds of applause in the end. It was a feather in his Cap for the president of the Sab. R.F.U. Arjun Dharmadasa, who is doing much to promote the game.

Shortly they will be holding a league tournament among the schools in the district for the boys under-14.

The C.E.O., National Insurance Corporation, Kamal Ratwatte, Mr. Ashley Herat, President Rugby Union, Anton Benedict, Kavan Rambukwelle were among the gathering to watch these exciting matches.

Standard Chartered Bank presented the cash awards, whilst Hilton, Trans Asia, Oberoi hotels etc., gave special awards.

ROVER PINPOINTS…

Official at work

There is a official at the Sports Ministry and he has managed to get two seniors transferred because they were aware of what was hapenning to Sports Ministry funds and were making inquiries.

The official has been carrying tales to the master with help coming from a husband and wife combination.

The grapevine has it that even this couple were checked regarding expenses at one time.

Now comes the news that the official has even managed to rope in help from the electronic media to cover the Olympics as this guy has been showering praise after praise on their programmes on the official ,

News is also around that this official is about to build a nest, wonder where he has plundered the loot for it.

At a price

The Interim Committee made a visit to a ground in the Southern Province to sort out things and came back a dejected lot. They have now decided to pay Rs. two and a half lakhs every month in order to maintain it.

How come

Rover's attention has been drawn to a senior official of a leading sport in the island who has been hiring a car belonging to a relation of a higher up in the sports body at the staggering sum of Rs. 40,000 a month. Talk of cost cutting!

Dead loss

The Cricket Board has issued playing kits to teams taking part in the current domestic league. But it appears the money spent on the kits may not be money well spent. The reason being that some teams say that the kits are too small for their players.

No-decision

A leading Sri Lankan cricketer from a leading club from Colombo, much in the news for his honesty is caught in two minds Rover learns.

The decision whether to resign from the club or not is in his mind, since he was dropped like a hot cake in playing for the club in a Super League match

Let down?

A past athlete and a very senior official is to send his resignation from the post of Vice President from a leading club.

The reason being that he has been let down by his colleagues in contesting the post of President of the Amateur Athletic Association next month. The office bearers of this club are backing another person for the post of President in a musical chair affair.

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