A do-or-die battle for supremacy

By Jatila Karawita

The 12th annual limited overs cricket match between traditional rivals Mahanama College Kollupitiya and President's College Rajagiriya will be worked off at the R. Premadasa International Cricket stadium today, with both sides vying for supremacy in the shorter version of the game. Of the previous 11 matches played, President's College continues to be in the lead with six wins to that of five wins by their arch-rivals Mahanama College. Mahanama skippered by Pubudu Sathyapala will field a strong outfit for the match with Yasuntha Gamlath as his deputy. Their batting is bound to be in the safe hands of Dinesh Bandara, Yasuntha Gamlath, Praneeth Jinasena, Lasith Sumedha, Damith Rathnayake and Mahesh Bandara. Mahanama's trump card in the bowling department will be none other than their skipper Pubudu Sathyapala who as his teams main strike bowler has bagged close to 85 wickets in the season. Rendering Sathyapala valuable support to dismiss President's College batsmen cheaply will be Lasith Sumedha and Damith Rathnayake. In addition to them the spin duo of off spinner Laksreen Dilshan, and right arm leg spinner Dinesh Bandara are also expected to trouble the opposition batsmen in this keenly contested one dayer.

Meanwhile President's College will take to the field today under the captaincy of Nimesh Perera with Prabhashitha Caldera as his deputy. The lads from Rajagiriya will pin their hopes on batting with the likes of skipper Perera, Poorna Munasinghe, Mohammed Alfazy, Dinesh De Silva and Kanishka Rathnayake. Their bowling is to be marshalled by vice captain and left arm Chinaman bowler Caldera, while Mohammed Shazmil, Tharaka Hewamanna and Gayan Kankanamge will pose a big threat to the Mahanama batsmen in what promises to be a do-or-die battle between two evenly matched sides.

Tee talk with Tita Nathanielsz

Jehan De Saram in impressive win

The March Monthly Medal Round brought to a close annual programme of golf of the Royal Colombo Golf Club.

De Saram wins

Watching Jehan de Saram one cannot help but want to see this boy getting more serious about the game and reaching the heights he should be in. A tremendous player he shoots great scores but still his handicap needs to come down much more and this can only result from incessant practice. I feel strongly the same about the other youngster Laksiri de Mel.

Jehan was at his best again when he clinched the 'A' Division classic with a commendable round. Coming behind him was Michael Perera, a strong player who is quite good looking off the tee.

Perera shines

New to the Ridgeways is affable Nimal Perera. Up to his gills in business commitments he squeezes the time to hit a ball occasionally. His game comes off best in Sunday 4 ball encounters. On Saturday through the medal round he stretched a trifle further to slam a great round and collect the 'B' Division medal. He plays off 16 and he claims his conservative ambition is to get to 12. Joe Perera, another great personality who sticks around good scores quite often came 2nd beaten by a slender margin.

Im In

S.O. Im was in good form and except for a few naughty shots when he encountered hazards he moved to a strong position to collect the 'C' Division medal from Dinesh Wijewardena who kept smiling despite failure to survive hazards.

Leembruggen was back again battling his way through what appears to be a gruelling course for Seniors. He was almost there but found R.C. Manuelpillai hard to dislodge. Manuelpillai carries on his winning streak and he picked a further medal when he beat Leembruggen in the Seniors and punched the air walking upto collect his medal at the Award Ceremony.

Joe Again

In the masters event Joe Perera outshone Lal Gooneratne and collected an excellent award. Finally I must comment that in discipline on the course continues with total disregard for Rules and Regulations. I am confident that Haris Serasinghe, the new Captain will arrest this situation and not let it ride the way it has been.

Thangavelu ABA President

Jayakumar Thangavelu was elected uncontested as the President of the Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka at the annual general meeting held on 24th March at the YMCA, Colombo.

He is a law graduate and the Deputy Director of the Police Legal Division.

Having started boxing at S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia and captained the school, he was Stubbs Shield and National champion for several years and was a coloursman.

The other officials elected uncontested are: K.V. Dharmadasa FAAB (Vice President); Col. J. Jayasuriya USP (Secretary); Sqn. Ldr. J.V.N.J. Dharmadasa (Treasurer).

Rover pinpoints.......

Talking for others' sins?

A media Manager of a popular sport in Sri Lanka has wanted some corrections carried. One cannot understand why he is trying to cover up others' sins which we highlighted in a constructive way. Talking about him, does he agree that he is suspected of leaking vital information to media personnel of his liking. All that has been written has been written in good faith and in constructive form. Well, if the cap suits him why not wear it!

To Sir with love?

Who is this well respected person of the white coat who is earning eight times more than what he was earning while employed not being able to stomach the criticism levelled at him.

In fact he shoud be called Sir, instead he is calling a senior in the sport Sir! For what purpose? God only knows!

No-more?

A popular sport was made even more popular on the beach with a lot of publicity given to it and a lot of money being used. What has happened to its continuation? Has the sponsors pulled out? Your guess is good as mine to know who was involved.

Not done?

A school by the coastline very much in the news and which has produced many Sri Lankan players is much faulty in not adhering to the rules that govern this sport on the games played at its grounds.

Why no sight screen? If it is bothering the residents why not put one on a temporary basis only on match days. Please consider it Mr Sportsman.

Protests of no avail?

In Hong Kong where the sevens were played, a large screen displayed at the grounds showed, what rugby in Sri Lanka is without Rohan Abeykoon and Priyantha Ekanayake.

A strong protest was made by the Sri Lankan Manager and Coach, for which the organisers apologised. What Rover learns from this is that rugby - has two camps. Could this be true?

No liquor at school functions

A media release stated that the Education Ministry is strictly adhering to the rule that no liquor will be served at school functions. But how come in the Hills a match played in the grounds which is at the centre and the Old Boys' building also in the centre saw an old boy who had earned a name for Sri Lanka in another sport was seen distributing bottles of arrack to the oldies.

Life members?

A leading club in the hills is to appoint six life members. News is around that the big wig behind this does not agree with two of them and he has insisted that a Colonel and a retired doctor be included in the list of six life members. Bad form.

Not to specification?

Rover learns that a tidy sum of money has been realised by the Ministry of Sports for the purchase of billiards tables for the promotion of this sport among the schools.

Sorry to state, concrete slate tables have been purchased by an official from Singapore and not Italian slate tables. Rover also learns a pool table has been purchased from these monies, since pool games are never been played in Sri Lanka Billiards and Snooker Association. Why this purchase? Who stands to gain, one wonders ?.

Nullified?

The Polonnaruwa District Cricket Association wanted permission to hold a meeting at the Cricket Board to settle some differences, and the Interim Committee has granted them permission to do so. But alas, when it was conducted many affiliates gate-crashed in a pre-planned affair and held a meeting instead. All decisions taken at this meeting have been nullified, according to an Interim Committee member, Rover learns.

Is it true?

Rover learns that the Interim Committee has drafted in Bertie Wijesinghe to assist Dave Whatomre to correct the techniques of the Sri Lankan batsmen, Rover also learns that the Interim Committee has summoned the Sri Lanka Cricket team who touched down from their tour of Pakistan had made inquirzes to the way their batsmen performed on the fourth day, the replay was that bad decisions were given to them and they thought no point in grumbling since they had won the series. Questions were also posed on their early ticket booking. Who is to blame, the cricketers or the Manager?

Two re-counts

The annual general meeting of the Amateur Athletic Association was held last Sunday, with the top office-bearers being elected uncontested.

When it came to the committee members elections, where over 40 had sent in their nominations for 20 posts, and when voting began and counting took place, the newly elected President looked surprised as how two affiliates not in their list got elected.

The Chairman ordered a re-count not once but twice and to his surprise it was same to be elected. How strange!

Player Benefits

Our attention has been drawn to the very misleading and distorted versions that continue to be given to the payment of benefits to past National Cricketers - in certain sections of the press and media. We therefore wish to clarify once again, the factual position.

The Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) in Sharjah, was inaugurated in 1982, with the purpose of providing benefits to cricketers in India and Pakistan initially, who represented their respective countries with distinction, in less affluent times for the game.

In later years, Sri Lanka was also included in this scheme. In consequence, when Sri Lanka is invited to participate in these tournaments, that are conducted in Sharjah, the BCCSL in addition to the usual tour guarantees and prize monies, also receives separate funds, to be disbursed specifically as benefits to retired national cricketers, at the Board's discretion.

The Interim Committee, using largely the basis adopted by previous Boards, made payments in 1999, to the undernoted cricketers from a sum of US $ 210,000 that was lying in credit with the BCCSL for this purpose.

Neil Chanmugam, Norton Frederick , Ian Pieris, Anurudha Polonowita,

Lasantha Rodrigo , A.C.M Lafir, Daya Sahabandu, Chandra Schaffter, Nihal Kodituwakku, Mano Ponniah, T.K Kehelgamuwa, Russel Hamer, Michael Tissera, Ranjith Fernando, Sunil Wettimuny, H. S. M. Peiris, Jayantha Seneviratne, Ajith de Silva, Lalith Kaluperuma, D. S de Silva, Roy Dias.

The previous beneficiaries according to records available to us, have been:

Duleep Mendis (Received direct from CBFS), Abu Fuard (Received direct from CBFS), Anura Tennekoon, C. I. Gunasekera, R. B Wijesinghe, Stanley Jayasinghe, H.I.K. Fernando, Mahes Rodrigo, Vernon Prins, Channe Gunasekera, Fairlie Dalpathado, Makkin Salib, R. L de Kretser, Gerry Gooneratne, Tita Nathanielsz, Ryle de Zoyza, D. D. Jaysinghe, N.D Wijesekera.

Japanese Judokas for Ambassador Cup

The highlight of this year's Japanese Ambassador Cup 24th Judo Championships conducted by the Sri Lanka Judo Association will be the demonstration by seven members of the Kodokan Judo Mission from Japan on Monday, April 3 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.

These seven are world class judo specialits, among them five men and two women which will include Barcelona and Atlanta Olympic Games participant Tanabe Yoko who is also the All Japan Open Champions for six times and the 72 kilo category All Japan Judo Champion for 7 years. The other women participants are Oishi Aiko, the third dan and All Japan Champion in 66 kg category and the Hiroshima Asian Games Gold medallist.

The male participants will be: So Yoshiaki (Leader), 7th Dan, Dispatched to Pan American and African countries as a team leader in Judo mission by Japan Foundation. Despatched to Cote D'ivoire for 1 year as a Judo expert by Japan Foundation. Dispatched to Germany & Canada as a Kata Instructor by Kodokan.

SAITO Yoshisada - 6th dan, particiapated in many tournaments in Japan, Despatched to Vietnam, Bangladesh, Thailand and Pakistan as a member of Kodokan.

Shoshida Kenichi - 5th dan. Disptched to Bulgaria for 2 years as a coach JICA.

Honda Katsuyoshi - World Junior champion. All Japan University Champion, All Japan Champion in 78 kg., Suisse International runner up in 78 kg.

Toyama Shigeru - Third Dan. All Japan 71 kg. champ, Hungary International 71 KG winner, Czech International 71 KG champ, Hiroshima Asian Games 71 KG second. The Japanese Ambassador Cup will be held on April 1 & 2 with the preliminaries to be held at YMBA Fort from 8.30 a.m. with the finals to be worked off on April 3rd from 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m where the demonstration will take place in the presence of the chief guest, the Director of Sports of the Ministry of Sports, Milton Amarasinghe.

In all 21 events will be held with 10 for men and 8 for women with an event each for boys and girls under-18 and a team championships.

Ajith, Bonita win Kinross sea swim

By Annesley Ferreira

Ajith Weerakkody of the Navy and Bonita Wimalasuriya of Ananda Balika Colombo, both born in Ambalangoda, proved themselves unbeatable, when they emerged winners at the 36th Kinross conducted 6-mile sea-swim at Wellawatte on March 26.

Ajith Weerakkody, the 2-mile sea-swim champion swam in first from the 67 competitors in a duration of 2 hours 24 minutes 9 seconds followed by J.W. Ruwan Silva of Sri Devananda Ambalangoda in 2 hours 28 minutes 54 seconds and Rumedhe Madigasekera of St. Joseph's in 2 hours 35 minutes 33 seconds and A.W. Anusha Kumara of Dolphin Aquatic Club in 2 hours 36 minutes 27 seconds.

Ajith Weerakkody's brother T.K.S. Weerakkody of Sri Devananda finished in fifth place in 2 hours 37 minutes, 35 seconds and Lahiru Mudalige of St. Joseph's coming in sixth in a time of 2 hours 39 minutes 9 seconds.

Bonita who has already won the Fishtail, Mount Lavinia and Ambalangoda two-mile sea swims showed that she could match the longer distance swim of 6 miles finishing before 39 mile swimmers in a time of 3 hours 1 minute 34 seconds thus retaining the title she won last year.

This win was better compared to her earlier wins improving her timing of 3 hours 18 minutes recorded last year, with R. Pushpa Chandani, Sri Devananda taking second place in 3 hours 3 minutes 55 seconds and H.P.P. Gunawardena of the Navy third in 3 hours 15 minutes 11 seconds.

The first three winners for both men and women were awarded Rs. 3000, 2000 and 1000 each by Bank of Ceylon.

Sri Devananda Ambalangoda with an aggregate of 119 points was awarded the Turab. A. Jafferjee Challenge Cup as overall winners with St. Joseph's second with 77 points and Sri Lanka Navy third with 50 points.

The M.G. Sirimanne Challenge Trophy was won by Ajith Weerakkody of the Navy and the John Roche Challenge Trophy was won by Bonita Wimalasuriya of Ananda Balika Colombo.

I. Kumesh Kumara of Sri Devananda Ambalangoda was awarded the Maharajah Challenge Cup for the youngest swimmer while K. Upul Kumara of Dolphin Aquatic won the Tissa Ariyaratne Challenge Cup for the oldest swimmer.

Deepal Abeysekera, the Assistant General Manager (Marketing) of Union Assurance was the chief guest and gave away the awards.

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