Singer rugby sevens on September 2 and 3

By Bernie Wijesekera

Kandy SC last year created a new milestone when they organized an international Singer rugby sevens, which proved an instant success. Of course it became a reality thanks to title sponsors Singer Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Airlines who joined the scrum to make it a reality.

The first scrum down with an international flavour provided two days of exciting rugby for the first time staged by a club. There were thrills and spills plenty. As promised by the hierarchy of KSC it will be continued the response for staging it was most encouraging, said its chairman of the organizing committee, Iswan Omar at a press briefing held on Friday, July 28, at hotel Lanka Oberoi. Gamini Abeysuriya, Marketing Director (Singer) and other officials attended the confab.

Sixteen teams in writing has confirmed their participation, with Asia's best on show - namely Japan, S. Korea, Hongkong, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Czech Republic, Arabian Gulf, and Sri Lanka.

There were two other teams from Kazkahstan and Pakistan showed keenness to take part, but was unable to accommodate them. But in the ensuing year we hope to increase the teams between 20 or 24 .

Among the outstation schools Kandy district has been dominating the schools rugby scene. Kingswood won the schools K.O.Championship, with an eye-catching performance defeating S.Thomas' in the final. To encourage schools rugby a schools rugby 'sevens' will be sandwiched along with the major tournament.

Already the following schools have confirmed their participation - Combined Ruhunu newcomers who are a force to be reckoned with. Thanks to its president of Rhunu RFU, Kumar Abeywardena. Followed by: Dharmaraja, St. Sylvester's , St. Anthony's, Trinity, Kingswood, Vidyartha, St. Peter's, Thurstan, Isipatana, Royal, and S.Thomas'.

The tournament proper will kick off on Sept. 2 and 3, at the Bogambara Stadium. On Friday Sept. one, schools pool matches will start in the afternoon starting at 1 p.m.

On Saturday and Sunday it will be on live telecast on channel 2 on the Rupavahini. It will be run according to international sevens rules. The Sri Lanka Rugby Referees' Society, headed by Brig. Jupana Jayawardena has promised to give all support to run the tournament. Three international referees drawn from Hongkong, S'pore and Germany have been invited to officiate. All participating teams will be accommodated at La Kandyan Resort - thanks to Arjun Dharmadasa the Director Connaissance, who is continuing to give all support and encouragement.

The official carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines will fly all overseas teams to Sri Lanka and back.

Flight itinerary and tour plans have been circulated to the teams concerned. This has been confirmed.

Sri Lanka Airlines early part of this year organised a cricket coaching programme for the local (Young cricketers) with experienced international coaches, namely Peter Philpott, Barry Knight, Goeff Lawson, Dough Walters, G. Thomson and a group of young cricketers were here on an educative/tourist sojourn, which proved a success.

Omar said, supporters of the sport and volunteers came forward last year to make this tournament a success. Their continued support and the hard work for the smooth running of this year's tournament is assured. The Rugby Union, too has given its blessings and encouragement for this international 7s, which in turn has put Sri Lanka rugby in the international map. Put aside petty issues if there is any, but all must rally around with a concerted effort to make this year's tournament a one to remember, said Omar.

Another first by STC

By Bruce Maurice

The Annual Open Tennis Tournament that will be conducted by S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia for the third consecutive year, will be a Ranking Tournament. This is the first time in the history of Sri Lanka tennis that a school will be organizing a Tournament of this nature.

It was in 1998 that S. Thomas' first conducted an Open Tennis Tournament and this year, the Sri Lanka Tennis Association has granted Ranking Rights for the Millennium Tournament. More than 250 students took part in the first tournament including more than 70 boys from Batticaloa. And this year more than 700 participants are expected to participate. The tournament will be conducted for boys and girls in the age groups of Under-12, 14 and 16. This is no doubt a golden opportunity for the young tennis players of this country to prove their capabilities and most of all to become Sri Lanka's future tennis champions.

The tournament will be conducted according to the rules of the International Tennis Federation. And is open to participants from overseas as well. The tournament will be conducted from the 26th of August to the 3rd of September 2000, at the College Courts.

Colts felicitate Tita Nathanielsz

E.B. Tita Nathanielsz was felicitated recently at the 127th Annual General Meeting of the Colombo Colts Cricket Club. Nathanielsz is Patron of the Club. M.W. Rajasingham, the President paid tribute to Nathanielsz for the tremendous contributions he had made to the club in his 60 years of membership. Gamini Goonasena, Ex-President spoke about his skills on the cricket field and his excellent association with cricket administration.

Nathanielsz with a 3 step run up was dangerously quick. He was extremely successful through many seasons in the late fourties and early fifties, particularly when sharing the opening spells with Lolo Da Silva who was accomplished with swing and spin.

Nathanielsz played for Ceylon against Pakistan in 1949, Commonwealth team led by Frank Worrell in 1949 and the MCC in 1952. He captained the Colts in 1951 and again from 1953 to 1956. He was elected president in 1970 and carried on to cover the centenary year in 1973. He was also a national cricket selector and executive committee member of the Board of Control. Nathanielsz continues to be a stalwart of the Colts Cricket Club despite his addiction to golf. Hony. life membership was conferred on him in the Centenary Year 1973.

Fare thee well, cricketing prince

It was Sri Lankans inaugural Test match and the local front-liners hadn't really covered themselves with glory. Into the crisis strode a slightly rotund 18-year-old who had oodles of natural talent, generous helpings of stubbornness and determination and an in-built streak that goaded him to take the opposition on (These latter qualities manifested themselves in different ways, on different occasions. As the French say, 'autres temps, autres moeurs).

That was my first glimpse of the young Arjuna Ranatunga and as he proceeded to punish Willis, Botham, Underwood and Emburey on his way to scoring Sri Lanka's first half century in Tests, I became an instant admirer of his multi-faceted batting skills. Sri Lanka may have crashed to defeat in the fall of some skillful off-spin bowling by Emburey and, as usual, some miserly overs by Underwood. But a star had been born. Sir Garfield Sobers, as good a judge as any of promising talent, was not far-off the mark when he predicted many feats of derring-do on the part of young Ranatunga.

Fast forward 18-years and five and a half months to Asgiriya and the second Test match against the South Africans. Sri Lanka needed a very modest 177 to beat Pollock's men and win the three match series two-nil with one to play. But what had we there? Pollock and Heyward in an inspired and frenzied burst of hostility had scythed down the top-order. Twenty one for four and the silence that descended on the Asgiriya Stadium was indeed deafening. The atmosphere could have been cut with a knife.

Out strode the roly-poly, by now very rotund Ranatunga playing, by his own admission, his penultimate Test and his last in Kandy. The applause was certainly loud and lively. It probably was in recognition of the fact that this was to be his last innings at Asgiriya. The cognoscenti would have known that if Sri Lanka was to rise phoenix - like from the ashes, Ranatunga in tandem with Arnold had to deliver.

Ranatunga was a man transformed. Some inner voice must surely have been urging him on. As is his wont, he starts off with a push here and a single there. The nick and nudge artist, he has been called. However there was neither nicking nor nudging. Ranatunga had the stomach for the fight Pollock and Heyward came steaming in, looking for that one wicket that would send the Sri Lankans hurtling towards defeat. But it was not to be. Ranatunga met fire with some promethean fire of his own.

Strokes of coruscating brilliance cascaded from his bat as the South Africans were driven straight and through the covers, pulled with measured elegance or flicked away through square leg sometimes non-chalantly, sometimes with a flourish. The visitors could not come to terms with this exhibition of batting brilliance. Bemused and bewitched though he was, Kallis was the sportsman personified in the way he applauded Ranatunga's fifty. It was too good to last, and at seventy, Ranatunga seemed to be a bit cautious and, in a sense, to be hedging his bits. Eighteen runs later, he was gone and with him went Sri Lanka's chances of pulling off a win. A happy, yet sad warrior left the field. But before going up the flight of steps, a fond wave of his wand to all four corners of the ground to intimate that he was all but done with Test cricket. Six transit gloria mundi (Thus passes away earthly glory!).

The winning of the World Cup in 1996 must quite clearly be his finest hour. It set the seal of International admiration and approval (however grudging) on our cricket. Henceforth Sri Lanka was not to be trifled with. A captain who knew his own mind, Ranatunga was not going to be brow-beaten. Very much his own man, he stood up four-square against the likes of Emersons. The ensuing confrontation (a la Gatting-Shakoor Rana) certainly looked ugly and unethical but Ranatunga evoked admiration in many quarters for standing up for his match-winner.

Colourful, charismatic and controversial, Ranatunga will be missed when he leaves the scene. Yet to few men in Sri Lanka has the opportunity been given to do what he has done in his chosen field. That he surpassed expectations could be his cricketing epitaph.

"When beggars die, there are no comets seen": The heavens themselves blaze forth the deaths of princes" - Shakespeare -

Aubrey Kuruppu

Rover pinpoints........

Another first for Lanka

First it was the woman Prime Minister, second it was the Woman President and now comes the news of another first in the form of a present Coach appointed the President of the AAA. Nowhere has it been done, but in Sri Lanka. Over to you IAAF.

Four or five

First it was three to four husbands and wives to the Olympics, now comes the news that it would be four to five families for the Sydney Olympics. One wonders at whose expense. Your guess is as good as mine!

Knocked out

A parent of a sportsman picked to represent the country in Canada had gone one step further by faxing the organisation requesting them to provide him with a visa to enter that country for his son's participation. This fax message has been refaxed to Colombo. This has also deprived another boy from participation, since the father and son's motive behind the request has been found out.

Talk of the town

It is learnt that the Manager of the Sri Lanka team to the Sydney Olympics has been 'chopped' as he has gone abroad on many occasions in order to make room for others. How come a person of 80 years is making a trip to the Olympics, many more times than the Manager!

Inquiry to be held

Rover learns that pressure is brought upon a leading sports body to hold an inquiry into a leading player's attitude of going against the captain's decision during a tournament abroad, where Sri Lanka finished just one before the last, overall. Some are for, whilst some are against and wanted this particular player to be suspended.

How come

How come a contender for a berth at the Sydney Olympics has got possession of a letter signed by five selectors from the NAASU? Who was instrumental in doing it. Since then one selector has resigned. The reasons behind this resignation will come to light soon.

What a shame

The TV coverage was given 'live' on the Second Test in Kandy between South Africa and Sri Lanka. What a shame it was to notice the names of the cricketers on the scoreboard being wrongly spelt. Who was instrumental for this. What will the world viewers think about it?

Match fixing

Rover learns that match fixing in a popular indoor sports was done in the early 90's in Pakistan, where a youthful player was seen throwing a crucial match away to a Pakistan player at an Asian Championships.

Why the silence

The Basketball Federation Rover learns is keeping under its wraps the unsettled accounts of the Schools' tour of Japan in 1997. One wonders why? Is it because of the support rendered to them to hold onto the sinking ship.

Why praise a dead body

A VIP was heard sounding his opinion at a funeral of a sports journalist in this way? I have known him for many years, one thing good in him was that that he never wrote a single line against anybody. Isn't this the way the VIP wants things to be done so as to go on any trip abroad?

Four piece or two piece

A junior cricket match, a semi-final played in Colombo was called off after a team lost two wickets for a paltry 8 runs and the incoming batsman after a single delivery, objected to the head umpire that the ball was not a four piece but a two piece. After much deliberations (for over one and half hours) the match was halted.

This ball was produced before a senior umpire, now retired who vouched that it was a four piece ball. The Schools Secretary who was present on the occasion, turned a blind eye and the match is to be replayed. What sportsmanship!

Meet in honour of Gray

By Bernie Wijesekera

Doyen of Sri Lanka boxing Eddie Gray, who served the sport as boxer, administrator, referee/judge, will be honoured with an international meet later this year. This was revealed to The Sunday Times by Lakshman Ranasinghe, the Secretary of the ABA.

Ranasinghe said, the Minister of Sports, S.B.Dissnayake made a personal request to the ABA to stage this meet. That too to honour Gray for his yeoman service rendered by him in the past for its promotion and development. This he did even with his own men and material. Gray was one of the cornerstones along with the Obeysekera brothers Danton, Frederick and Alex, who kept the sport alive to reach greater heights.

Eddie was a member of Sri Lanka's team for the 1948 Wembley Olympics, where the late Duncan White ran a race of his life to win a 'Silver' second to Roy Cochran.

Lakshman further stated that Minister Dissanayake admired Gray's ability still to organize and promote sport despite the years rolling by. Though living away from home he has been on beck and call for his old school Royal or for others.

Fittingly S.B. has appointed him as Sri Lanka's Co-ordinator for the Sydney Olympics in Australia. Dissanayake presented Gray with a special 'Golden Award' given by Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike for his immense contributions since 1948.

Gray, never changed disciplines apparently unlike some present- day officials for personal gain. He donned the gloves and once he hung them up he served the sport despite trials and tribulations. This honour is a reward for his commitment.

To the indefatigable Gray, nothing was impossible. He had the knack to get the job done sans petty racial prejudices. One of them was the South East Asian Boxing Championship staged here for the first time. He converted the dilapidated tramcar shed to a boxing ring which proved a roaring success.

Ranasinghe said this meet will be a one to be remembered where boxers from neighboring countries will be drawn in. Gray, living in Melbourne, Australia will be invited to mark the occasion. The S.B. Dissanayake trophy will be on offer for the best boxer. Gray is a key member of the Duncan Whilte Sports Foundation.

Arjuna's effort in vain

When Arjuna Ranatunga announced his retirement in Galle some days ago it freed him of the mental and physical burdens of international cricket. In his mind he knows that his farewell at the three leading cricket venues in the country is going to be memorable. Todate it has been so and what better place conclude a glittering eighteen year career than at the Singhalese Sports Club, his home turf.

The South Africans achieved a famous victory in Kandy, against all odds. It will take some searching to find the last Test team that came back from 34 for 5 prior to lunch on day one, to win shortly after tea on day four. That speaks volumes of the toughness, determination and courage of Shaun Pollock and his men.

Once again the pitch offered spinners assistance from day one. The first hour indicated that the tourists had not yet recovered from the shock of the Galle match. The wickets were shared as the top half of the batting collapsed in a heap. Lance Kluesner and Mark Boucher regrouped the innings and how well they did it.

Kluesner, so far on this tour looked suspect of being able to really counter spin bowling and play a long innings. He has the difficulty of having to cope with. Muralitharan and Dharmasena spinning the ball away from his bat. But, on that day he handled both and the rest of the attack flawlessly. It was his innings that put South Africa in the contest and to his team, the contribution that helped win the match.

Boucher's role was an equally important one. He stood firm when the situation demanded. Another wicket at that stage and the South Africans may not have recovered. It was a pity the way he went - run out. It was a day when he deserved to be rewarded with three figures.

That the last five wickets put on 219 runs emphasized that the Africans put in every bit of their heart for what they may have lacked in pure batting ability. In fact that marked the difference between the two teams. In the first innings the Sri Lankans lost their bottom five wickets for twenty two runs and the next time for thirty nine runs. Ten wickets for sixty one runs is unpardonable. When the margin of defeat was just seven runs, those responsible for succumbing spinelessly must be kicking themselves.

The Sri Lankans threw away a game they could have won when they lost to Pakistan in the first Test of that series, at the S.S.C. Grounds. Now they have done it again. Needless run outs have also added to their woes. A run out means an absolute gift to the opposition. In the first innings Russel Arnold and Kumar Sangakkara (two amongst the top five in the order) fell that way. Then, at a crucial stage of the second innings Chaminda Vaas committed suicide. That almost but drove the final nail into Sri Lanka's coffin.

Marvan Atapattu continued his brilliant form with a first innings score of 120 runs. His effort held the Sri Lankan innings together. When he failed in the second innings a chink in the armour was exposed.

Mention must be made of the South African pace quarter of Pollock, Hayward, Kallis and Kluesner. On a pitch prepared to assist the spinners these four captured thirteen of the twenty wickets that fell, bearing in mind there were three run outs. They bowled cleverly by varying their pace and using whatever subtle movement they could muster.

Hayward extracted whatever pace and bounce he could with the new ball and dismissing skipper Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardena early in the second innings gave his team the much needed catalyst to chase after a victory. They made use of the uneven bounce and varying pace to induce the Sri Lankan batsmen to play either too early or too late and thereby pick up wickets at regular intervals.

With a gem of an innings Arjuna Ranatunga almost stole the game away from visitors. He strolled in at 21 for 4, with Jayasuriya, Jayawardena, Atapattu and Sangakkara back in the pavilion. It was a situation he had been in, in an umpteen number of occasions. Having announced his retirement he was at will to free his arms. To the delight of the fans in Kandy who were witnessing his final show, he turned back the pages of time, to unfold an innings of wristy brilliance.

How delighted the South Africans were when they finally saw him depart having scored 88 runs off 103 deliveries. His heart must have sunk as Rhodes clutched onto that ball he hit in the air. It only needed another half-a-dozen runs from him and it would have meant a reversal in the result. The only consolation is that the series is now poised for an exiting final Test match.

Special award for Boys Home

Peter Rowe is presenting the Captain of the Boys Home, Maharagama with a special award for an excellent performance in the soft ball cricket match between a team of Ceylon, Australia, New Zealand. Association members and the Boys Home won convincingly by the Boys Home who fielded a formidable side. Also in the picture is Tita Nathanielsz and Prassana Goonetilleke, President of CANZA.

The Australian High Commissioner, the New Zealand Consulate and the Ceylon Australia New Zealand Association have over a long period been closely associated with the Boys Home of the Child Protection Society helping the Home substantially with funds and material for upkeep and maintenance. Just recently a massive wall was built from funds generated from Australia and New Zealand. A plaque was unveiled by Peter Rowe after which the soft ball match was played followed by an oriental buffet lunch with the boys participating.

Doc. Ismail wins Calcutta Medal

There was no trace of the usual downpour during the 1st part of the South West Monsoon Golf Competition at the Ridgeways of the Royal Colombo Golf Club - on the contrary absolute super weather prevailed and the rounds over the last weekend were quite rewarding to quite a few.

Ismail prominent

Dr. I. A. Ismail levered a good position to take the much coveted Calcutta Medal with an excellent round of nett 68 off a handicap of 16. Ismail was and continues to remain quite a stylist. He has been off competitive golf for a spell and his return was signalled with this excellent win. Chamath Kulasinghe was as competitive completing the course with nett 68 to tie with Ismail but eventually losing to Ismail who recorded a better back nine.

Another Tie

Doc. C. Thurairajah, Michael Dias and Sung Soo Kim completed exceptional rounds of nett 69 each. Doc Thurai was stylish off the tee and fortunate on the greens. Young Dias was brave and did not mess around. His positive play was quite rewarding and Kim was ding dong all the way firm and often accurate.

Following these three creditable performances came other choice returns that commanded recognition. Ranil Pathirana returned to form with a well judged nett 70. S. Kumaratunge was praiseworthy with one under par. Both are still 'lupperty' but showing evidence of quick seasoning. Just behind them came Sumal Perera who found access to another commendable par round and joining him was that extremely stable and consistently good Korean B. C. Lee.

Lost bearings

On the fringe of the disaster zone came Dr. N. Wijemanne and fun loving Ranjan Joseph followed by a galaxy of racy centurions who plunged into ponds, peppered the neighbourhood and eventually ended up absolutely bankrupt. In the final round up Ranjan Gooneratne, Sarath de Silva and Tissa Jayasinghe perished and made confetti out of their cards.

Honda assists

These rounds were part of the South West Monsoon meet which is now sponsored by Honda under the direct supervision and guidance of Sales & Promotions Manager Wasantha de Silva. The prestigious Calcutta Medal was instituted in 1888 when the Royal Colombo Golf Club was known as the Colombo Golf Club at its original location at the Galle Face Green.

ICC pays tribute to Organisers of Youth World Cup

The International Cricket Council(ICC) has paid a glowing tribute to the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka(BCCSL)for successfully staging and organising the Under 19 Youth World Cup earlier this year.

Development Manager of the ICC Ross Turner in a letter to BCCSL Chief Executive Dhammika Ranatunga has commended the efforts and leadership of Tournament Director Ravi Arunthavanathan and Secretary Kushil Gunasekera for delivering an event which showcased Sri Lankan Cricket to the rest of the World.

"The BCCSL ensured that the event surpassed the standard required by the ICC and the expectations of participating countries.The measures undertaken by the BCCSL to ensure the safety of all participating teams was in itsef remarkable".

In a separate letter, the ICC Development Officer Ross Turner has congratulated Kushil Gunasekera and commended the BCCSL for setting new standards for the Organization of the Under 19 Cricket World Cup.

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