• Army emerge intermediate boxing champions
• Rugby Referees must see to safety of players 
• Royal and Girls' High School win TT Championship 
• King Tut will find a decent handicap
• Dinuka and Sobhini top seeds 
• Lessons from Asia Cup 
• Layton Cup from June 22-24 
• "Win at all costs" cry spoiling our youngsters 
• Rover pinpoints.... 
• 25-member contingent to Olympics
• Sri Lanka Test cricket statistics
• Mendis to coach Malaysian U-15 team
• Lions roar in Colombo 
• Wonder Wasim whips Lanka 
• Peterites regains Fr. Basil Weeratunga challenge trophy 
• Nadira through to tennis final
• HNB-B in final 
• Late rally helps CH drown Navy 15-6

Army emerge intermediate boxing champions

With seven clear cut winners Army won the Intermediate Boxing Championships conducted by the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) concluded at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. 

The champions Army who had eight boxers in the finals won seven, while the two Prisons boxers to enter the final M.M. R. Kumara won his light heavy weight under 81 kgs uncontested. 

Navy also showed promise for the future with seven of their boxers entering the finals and two of them winning. 

S.I. Kumara the only shcoolboy to enter the finals from Vidyartha won his bout. 

Results.

Welter weight under 67 Kgs - R.D. Samarajeewa (Army) bt J. Perera (YMCA Colombo). 

Light Middle weight under 71 Kgs - M.C.F. John (Army) bt P.P. Gunasekera (Prisons). 

Middle Weight under 75 Kgs - E.M. Arunasiri (Army) bt. S. Nandana (Navy). 

Heavy weight under 91 Kgs - N. Dharmasiri (Navy) bt. N.C.P. Nisansala (Navy). 

Super Heavy weight over 91 Kgs - T.S.T.R. Kumara (Army) bt. S.C Rajangana (Prisons). 

Light Fly weight under 48 Kgs - T.P.N. Samaranayake (Army) bt. M.A. Rode (Navy). 

Flyweight under 51 Kgs - H.J. Kumara (Army) bt. N.S. Fernando (Navy). 

Bantam weight under 57 Kgs - S.S. Bandara (Navy) bt. D. Ranaweera (Army). 

Feather weight under 57 Kgs - D.S. Samarasekera (Army) bt S. Bandara (Police). 

Light weight under 60 Kgs - M. Safras (YMCA Kandy) bt. R.W.M.A.S. Waragoda (Slimline BC). 

Light Welter weight under 63 Kgs - S.I. Kumara (Vidyartha) bt. P.K. Amaratunga (Navy). 

Rugby Referees must see to safety of players

By Bernie Wijesekera

This was said to The Sunday Times by the former President of the Rugby Society, Metha Abeygunawardena. Metha is an outstanding sportsman to hail from Royal where he won colours at cricket, rugby and boxing. He also played rugby for CH&FC and has done much to promote boxing at Royal and at national level. 

Abeygunawardena too was a level one rugby referee and commanded respect on and off the field. He said today school rugby unlike in the past has raised its ugly head. Indiscipline has crept among some players, who want to win at all cost and at times their conduct is found wanting. They tend to go for the man not for the ball. Here the referees have to look to their safety. If this trend is allowed to go unchecked then parents will refrain from their encouraging children taking to this body contact sport, he added.

What have you got to say about the smooth flow of the game? Seeing international rugby away from home, I've noticed the referees restrict unwarranted blowing and allow the game to flow. He blows if there are blatant infringements there is no unnecessary blowing which will slow the game. Advantage should be allowed, Metha said. 

Otherwise the fans and the players, too will lose interest, if there is constant blowing. Of course if there is dirty and dangerous play the referee has to take them to task, but not for a trivial infringement, he stated. 

The third principle is sportsmanship. This has to be inculcated by the school coaches at grassroots level. Today this is apparently on the wane in some quarters. The school coaches are answerable. They wanted to win at all cost. As a result this beautiful sport has lost its values, he added. Some condone these acts and the player concerned is not taken to task. They must be taught to take defeat and victory in the same spirit, rather than indulging in roughhouse tactics. Later its wings are being spread at club level. The referees must control the game without fear or favour, if the sport is to develop, Abeygunawardena concluded. 

Royal and Girls' High School win TT Championship

Vidyartha and Visakha finished as runners-up 

The other results are:

Boys' under 12 A division - Vidyartha, Royal. 

B Division - Kingswood , St Anthonys. 

C Division- Royal E, St Sebastian's C. 

D Division - Royal F, Sri Sumangala A. 

E Division - Piluwadu MV, Sri Rahula A. 

Girls' under 12

A division - Dharmasoka A, Holy Family Convent Kurunegala 
B Division - Devananda MV B, Maliyadeva BMV V 
C Division - Devi Balika A, St. Mary's Matara A. 
D division - Holy Cross College A Gampaha, St Joseph's Convent, Kegalla.
E division - Rippon BMV Galle, Musaeus 

Girls' under 18

B Division - St. Joseph's Kegalle, Pushpadana D 
C Division - St. Joseph's D Nugegoda, Southlands A Galle. 
D Division - Peradeniya Central A, Holy Cross Gampaha A. 
E Division - Holy Cross Gampaha B, Bishop's C. 

Boys' under 18

B Division - Ranabima Royal, Devananda B. 
C Division - Ranabima Royal B, Kingswood C. 
D Division - Ranabima Royal D, Kularatna MV A. 
E division - Wickremabahu MV B, Prince of Wales C. 

King Tut will find a decent handicap

By Ismail Khan

Hamilton 

Friar Tuck: Beaten a head by all the way winner surprised. Follow next outing. 

Fantasy Believer: Beaten 1/2 length by Becky Simmons who made it pillar to post Can step up on it. Note. 

Oriental Mist: Third to Becky Simmons. Note for an early win. Has good speed. 

King Tut: Beaten a neck by Stormswell after a late dash. Follow. Could be lucky next time. 

Stormswell: Held on for dear life when beating King Tut. Better over 7 furlongs. Note. 

Puppet Play: Good third to Stormswell will find a mile handicap to his leking zoon follow. 

Spree Vision: Backmarker most way, accelerated last furlong to beat Octane a neck in a sizzler. Good run. 

Octane: Unlucky to have been beaten by Spree Vision a neck. Better for run. Will find a good handicap in due course. 

One More for Luck: Third to SpreeVision. A little overaced. Beware.

Rooftop protest: Beat Papi Special 3/4 length. Good run. Note over long distances. 

Papi Special: Set alight late, good 2nd to Roof Top Protest. follow.

Eastern Rainbow: Third to Beyond The Clouds. Better luck next time with a trouble-free run. 

Harvey's Future: Beaten closer home by Beyond The Clouds. Should be all the better for outing. Note. 

More next week over running reflections. 

Dinuka and Sobhini top seeds

Dinuka Ranaweera has been seed No 1 in the Men's Singles, Boys under 18 and 16 too, said Boshan Dayaratne, Tournament Secretary. Howeve, Ranaweera will face a stiff challenge from Renuk Wijemanne who has returned from the United States on a vacation. 

The seedings in each category are as follows:: 

Mens Singles

1. Dinuka Ranaweera 
2. Ganendra Subramaniam 
3. S. Paramanathan 
4. Renuk Wijemanne 

Womens Singles

1. Sobhini De Silva 
2. Shalini Pereira 
3.Dushinkha Subraman-iam 
4. Samanthi Wijesekera 

Boys Under 18 singles

1. Dinuka Ranaweera 
2. S. Paramanathan 

Girls under 18 singles

1. Mahesha Seneviratne 
2. Samanthi Wijesekera 

Boys Under 16 singles

1. Dinuka Ranaweera 
2. U. Walgampaya 

Girls under 16 singles

1. Mahesha Seneviratne 
2. Swini Fernando 

Lessons from Asia Cup

By Kasturiarachchi Warnakulasuriya

The third match between India and Sri Lanka in the aiwa Cup gave all these thrills, excitement and jubilation, to millions of cricket fans all over the world. 

Fireworks from Sanath Jayasuriya highly enjoyed by millions during the latter part of 1999, came into limelight once again, when he engaged in a fine array of stroke play, all over Banga Bandhu grounds, in a match which can never be forgotten. 

If not for that silly mistake. Suddenly a rot set in, when little Kalu was runout. 

The endless jubilation came to a halt in a flash, making all spectators and viewers dumbstuck. 

Yet did the man who made the silly mistake surrender? No. Exciting and thrilling cricket poured in when Chaminda Vass, started to blast the ball to all parts of the ground. He smashed two massive sixes which earned him a super six award. 

Another exciting moment came in when Sachin Tendulkar from the other camp, was seen going great guns, to transform the game suddenly in their favour. But young Mahela Jayawardane (23) who could not contribute anything in batting made the biggest breakthrough by holding onto the greatest catch in this match. 

From that breakthrough onwards, it was "plain sailing" for Jayasuriya until he carried so many laurels at the presentation ceremony.

Had Mahela misjudged that deep mid- wicket running catch on the brim of the ropes, no one can say how far Sachin would have carried his bat.

That turned the game and it resulted in 5 wickets collapse for just 31 runs. 

So this match I am sure, will go into the annals of history in cricket, reiterating the old thrilling adage - "Catches win matches".

The bowling department in both innings, created another assortment of wonder. Part time bowler Tendulkar was seen more successful with 2 wickets against long-time professionals like Anil Kumble and India fielded with an array of not less than 6 other bowlers, which included seasoned campaigners like Robin Singh, Ganguli, Chopra, Joshi and Agakar, apart from new-comer Thiru Kumaran. 

It was much thriller, enterprising and enthusiastic from the Sri Lankan camp, when 19 year old debut Kaushalya Weeraratna, claimed 3 for 46, surpassing veteran Vaas or spin ace Murali from the other end. 

Oh, what wonders cricket can do? All accredited bowlers were bowled out in both innings. 

So our wonder boy Jayasuriya was able to guide his mates to give millions of viewers and spectators another day of exciting cricket. 

Layton Cup from June 22-24

The medical examination and weigh-in will be held on June 22 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. followed by the draw.

The best boxer at this meet will be awarded the Sir Jeffrey Layton Challenge Cup. 

"Win at all costs" cry spoiling our youngsters

By Bernie Wijesekera

At this level the game should be played at a 'friendly' but not competitive cricket. In turn it will breed pinch hitters and 'chuckers'. As a result there are a plenty in the schools cricket fraternity.Some coaches in schools rarely make an attempt to correct their bowling arm. Their only concern is to win the match by hook or by crook and be in line to enter the final round. Even the umpires have shown a blind eye. 

Imagine some umpires, who too have taken to coaching. 

Barry Knight and Peter Philpott, who were here on a coaching- cum-cricket assignment sponsored by SriLankan Airlines were totally against juveniles indulging in competitive cricket (especially limited over) games. Both are highly qualified coaches doing an excellent job worldwide. 

The Principal of Royal and the president of the Sri Lanka Schools C.A., H.L.B.Gomes was interviewed by The Sunday Times. Mr. Gomes agreed that he, too, was against kids indulging in competitive cricket. They must be first taught to enjoy whilst playing and maintain a high standard of sportsmanship on and off the field. The kids must learn to take defeat in life at the start of their school career, be it cricket or otherwise, he added. 

Whatever the outcome, they must not question authority. Take the ongoing school rugby season, at times being plagued by unwarranted behaviour. In some quarters after the match it's a stampede with a section of the spectators joining the fray. 

Royal College has a tradition of indulging in fairplay. They are taught to play the game in the correct spirit. Even after the team is picked and before the match, special, emphasis is stressed that dirty play will not be condoned. The player concerned will run the risk of being banned from all sport activities, as a result. A prefect of games of another leading school, too agreed, that competitive cricket at juvenile level should be curbed. Firstly, let them get the real feeling and the spirit of the game by playing friendlies. If they are taught the basics at grassroots level, then they will know how to conduct at the senior stage. This is more important for their future betterment than indulging in competitive cricket to win at all costs. 

A past national cricketer said it was at junior level that they should be taught to play the game correct. If a young bowler is allowed to continue bowling with an irregular action in his entire school career with a rich haul of wickets going unnoticed by the coach and the umpires, he continues to enjoy the freedom at club level, too, where the umpires show a blind eye. But at the highest level he may be found wanting. It is the school coach and the local umpires and who are to be blamed for not correcting him? 

This attributes to the lack of wisdom by those who handle them at junior level. Apparently, they have second thoughts, he may be their key bowler to deliver the goods with a bent elbow. 

Constant appeals

Constant appealing and re-appealing by some players in the Sri Lanka 'A' team in their confrontation against Zimbabwe 'A' was evident, in a recent match. The local players kept on appealing at every turn, despite the umpire turning it down. It turned out to be an ugly spectacle. The management hauled up the team after the match and admonished them for this unwarranted appealing. Play hard and clean but don't disgrace this gentleman's game by unwarranted appeals to win at all costs he added. Hope it's not going to happen again. Times have changed but abstain from these shouts.

It did happen in the past in a school game. A bowler was bowling with an irregular arm. The umpire cautioned him. But still he kept on repeating, despite the warning. 

"Son, why are you continuing despite my warning." "Uncle, I can't get his wicket". In the next over the umpire called 'no'. The coach in this school was serving in the governing body. Instead of rectifying the bowler's arm, the umpire was at the receiving end. The said umpire who made a request to lay him off from a game due to a family commitment, but still was put on stand-by duty, thus, debarring him from attending his family obligation. This is what you call justice meted out to him for doing his duty. It isn't cricket. 

A number of schools have decided to skip competitive cricket at juvenile level which breeds hatred and jealousy, but not spread the gospel of sportsmanship and friendship off the field. It in the process has not helped them or the game in general on the longer run. 

In some quarters they may say that outstation schools may be deprived of playing their Colombo counterparts, but these schools are still prepared to give them a fixture at "friendly" level rather than indulging in competitive cricket, where apparently some games are "fixed" to win at all costs, due to partisan umpiring. This has been brought to the notice of the umpiring fraternity, too. 

Rover pinpoints....

NOC Sydney taken for a ride 

Talks of a pundit 

How True 

This is Basketball Federation

Attendance & Resolution

Selection for ABC Girls' Championship

Is match practice an offence

25-member contingent to Olympics

By Leonard Ratnayake

Unlike in the past Sri Lanka has a increasing enthusiasm for Olympics with many of our athletes breaking the barriers at recent times to match the world class athletes. 

Susanthika Jayasinghe, the only Sri Lankan athlete to have won a Silver medal at a world championship meet, when she won the silver medal in 200 metres in Athens, Greece in 1997, has already promised to go for a medal, while Sunil Gunawardena coach of many 400-metre runners is hopeful that Sri Lanka would be able to qualify for the final round of the 400 metre relay. 

Long Jumpers Sujith Rohana and Nayanthi Kumari were very close to the qualifying standards at the second trials held at the Sugathadasa stadium two weeks ago, and they are confident to make the grade during the third trials in July and the Asian Championship meet which will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

Speaking at the announcement of the sponsorship of the Sydney 2000 Olympic contingent, Dr. Hans Wijeyasuriya, the Chief Executive of Dialog GSM said " our forthcoming sponsorship of the Olympics contingent is aimed at encouraging and supporting Sri Lankan athletes and contributing in whatever way we can towards developing world class talent in Sri Lanka". The sponsorship is particularly significant in that this is the first time a national contingent to an Olympics Games has been supported by a commercial sponsor. 

Sri Lanka Test cricket statistics

Out of the 99 Test matches Sri Lanka has played, Sri Lanka has won 18, lost 39 and the balance 42 were drawn. Sri Lanka's performance against each country is given below. 

                                        Played               Won               Lost              Drawn 

Vs        England                    6                    2                    3                    1 

Vs        Pakistan                  24                    5                    11                  8 

Vs        India                       20                    1                    7                   12 

Vs        New Zealand          18                    4                    7                    7 

Vs        Australia                 13                    1                    7                    5 

Vs        South Africa             5                    -                    3                     2 

Vs        West Indies              3                    -                    1                     2 

Vs        Zimbabwe               10                    5                    -                    5 

Total                                    99                  18                  39                  42

During the last 18 years we have produced 81 Test Cricketers and 8 Test Captains. Performances of the 8 Captains are given below. 

                                     Played                Won                Lost               Drawn 

B.Warnapura                   4                       -                      3                       1 

D.Mendis                       19                      2                       8                      9 

D.S.De Silva                    2                       -                       2                       - 

R.Madugalle                    2                       -                       2                       - 

A.Ranatunga                 56                      12                    19                       25 

P.A. De Silva                  6                       -                       4                       2 

H.Tillekeratne                  1                       -                       -                       1 

S.Jayasuriya                     9                       4                       1                       4 

                                      99                     18                     39                      42 

Number of Test matches played by each Test player. Heading the list is Arjuna Ranatunga who has played in 87 Tests. 

Out of the 81 Test Cricketers, we have produced 19 Test centurians and 14 of them have achieved the milestone of passing the 1000 run mark. 

P. Aravinda De Silva heads this list with 5621 runs in 81 Tests at an average of 43.91. He has 18 centuries to his credit. Sanath Jayasuriya has the distinction of scoring the highest innings for Sri Lanka with his record-breaking 340 against India. 

In bowling, M.Muralitharan heads the list with 253 wickets in 51 Tests at an average of 26.32. -M.L.Fernando. 

Mendis to coach Malaysian U-15 team

Mendis, a competent coach who has produced strong teams through his dedicated and disciplined approach, will be looking forward to this challenge. He has nearly 35 years of experience behind him and is also a well qualified coach having successfully followed all four levels of coaching including Advance Diploma Course, conducted by International Coach Les Lenham UK in collaboration with the local Cricket Board. 

Nelson is not a stranger to Malaysia as he had several coaching assignments in the past, where he had successfully coached State Cricket Association and Combined Armed Forces teams. 

He was instrumental in developing Nalanda College cricket during 1960 and 1970s producing champion teams during this period. He also coached and produced many Sri Lankans of the calibre of Bandula Waranapura, Asanka Gurusingha, Roshan Maha-nama, Kumara Dharmasena, Chamara Dunusinghe, Gamini Wickramasinghe and late Anura Ranasinghe. Nelson's last coaching assignment abroad was with the Nepal U-19 team in preparation for the Asian Cricket Council Tournament held in Singapore. Nepal did well to qualify for the World Cup tournament held in Colombo early this year. Nelson left for Malaysia on May 19. -BW

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