• Jayamal and Radeesha best
• In Brief
• Referees like umpires, should be paid
• Old Antonians, Old Joes in Final
• Lankan soccerites for Vietnam
• Vijaya Matale stickers for Chennai tourney
• Third Umpire to assist in LBW and Bat-Pad Catches
• Jaipur Limb benefits from charity golf
• Sri Lankan Airlines Golf Classic
• Rover Pinpoints
• Favourites reign at Le Kandyan
• Easy for Prestige
• Singapore out
• England rout West Indies
• How the Sri Lankan cricketers fared
• Susanthika all-the-way
• WP bag cager titles
• Gibbs and Williams admit to Cronje cash offers
• Kandy nudge HavelocksBy Bernie Wijesekera
• Sailors dump Air Force
• Hussain wants series win to confirm improvement

Jayamal and Radeesha best

By Leonard Ratnayake

CONTROVERSY which marred the selection of swimming representatives to the Sydney Olympics took a new turn, when the formerly selected duo of Jayamal Wijeratne and Radeesha Daluwatte were adjudged the best swimmers in their respective genders at the national sports festival meet held at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool on Friday.

Daluwatte had established new records in all three events she participated while Wijeratne established a new meet record at the swimming championship.

Daluwatte's records came in the 100m back-stroke event (when she clocked 1 minute 16:11 seconds), 100m free-style event (finishing in 1:05:98 seconds) and in the100m butterfly event with a time of 1 minute13:56 seconds.

Jayamal Wijeratne's record came on the first day of the meet when he shortened his previous 57.39 mark to 57.15 seconds in the 100m free-style event.

Earlier the selection committee had picked Jayamal and Radeesha to represent Sri Lanka at the Sydney Olympics, but later reversed the decision after their selections were disputed in parliament. Two swimmers from Sri Lanka have been eligible to compete in the Olympics on a "wild card" basis and not on the performance basis or qualifying standards.

Thus the controlling body of the sport had the chances to nominate two up-and-coming swimmers.

But in the latest selections to be approved, Sports Minister S. B. Dissanayake approved the names of Theekshana Ratnasekera and Conrad Francis to represent Sri Lanka at Sydney Olympics.

The Sunday Times learns that these two swimmers too had won Gold medals in their respective events.

In Brief

Goldmoon are champs

Goldmoon SC Ukuwela scored a 1-0 win over Ukuwela Rangers SC to become champions of the B Division inter-club soccer tournament organised by the Matale District Football League and played at the Bernard Aluvihare Stadium in Matale recently. Mohamed Niyas scored the winning goal for Goldmoon SC in the second half.
M. Udaya Kumara refereed.
Seen soccer clubs in the Matale district, namely Pubudu SC, Galewela Prince SC, Matale town, Sri Naga SC, Naisa Rangers SC, Ukuwela, Dole Road SC, Matale Goldmoon SC, Ukuwela and Ex-lon SC, Matale participated in the tournament.

The Senior Superintendent of Police Matale, Mr. Berti Gopallawa who is also the President of the Matale Football League was the chief guest.

Junior Squash to start on August 26

The Junior Nationals Closed Squash championships conducted by the Squash Federation of Sri Lanka will be held from August 26 to September 2 at the Sugathadasa Stadium Courts.

This championships is only open to Sri Lankans boys and girls.

The events to be held are boys and girls Under-19, 17, 15, 13 and 11.

Entries will close on Tuesday August 22 at 5 p.m.

Bryan Baptist speaks out on refereeing

A brave man indeed. Many would have faltered. 'Gross flattery exposes a coward'. But Mr. Baptist is above all that. No flattery but the stark truth. In reality, what do we see? A gross miscarriage of justice. The victims of such injustices are quite ironically the law-enforcing Officers! That the Police should have won is a presumption, which is weighed on the many mistakes of the referee. What stands out is the fact that our referees need more match experience. Is he the 2nd best referee in Asia? Who said that and on what merits? Tell me another! When we tend to make mistakes, then we need to be more cautious and improve our refereeing.

Richard de Zylva

Referees like umpires, should be paid

A gallant performance by the Havelocks who led 9-8 at half time. Tony Amit planned his game well. He kept his power play for the 2nd half. A great win by the CH - a worthy victory. Congratulations. Holding Kandy to a draw the previous week also speaks highly of the CH who are now playing like a champion side. Veteran Ajith Upawansa continues to score tries. As someone said, he should be in the National Pool. 2nd Row Duminda Silva is also playing well. The CH must continue in this vein - a team that "Plays together - stays together." For the Havelocks, Coach Sara-napala must have heavier forwards who are strong. This is his handicap. One big prop and one 2nd Row will be adequate. He can then concentrate on effective replacements in the 2nd half. Referee Jamaldeen - Well done, keep it up.

POLICE vs. AIR FORCE - Police Won 12- 6

The Airforce seem to be setting down with some purposeful play. The police on the other hand are blooding their new finds and this augurs well for the Knock-out Tournament in September. The Airforce had opportunities to score and even pull off this game but due to lack of finish were unable to do so. They should build on from this game and work on their ball handling and scrummaging. The Police are working on finding the "winning team"

CR & FC vs. KANDY- CR Won 19-17

A game worthy of a finale. My congratulations to both teams. To the Referee. S.W. Chang well done - one of the finest Referees in this part of the world. No quarter was asked for and no quarter was given by either side. Defending champs Kandy have come a long way after a lethargic 1st Round. Weerakkody missing the final penalty cost Kandy the game- but 2 earlier misses can also be contributory. The question is, why win on penalties when you have a fine set of three quarters? Nalaka Weerakkody is a fine runner of the ball. He is used only sparingly. Like Sanjeewa Jayasinghe of the Havelocks, Weerakkody is Kandy's strength. CR's forwards played at a furious pace, but the same cannot be said of Kandy. Kandy forwards need to be more mobile and have more thrust. Look for adequate replacements. For substitute full back Halimdeen, a nightmare when he missed a penalty 6 minutes before full time. And then a spectacular kick by him just 2 minutes from the end. Knowing that the future of the CR in the League rested on him, he kept his cool and the ball sailed over the cross-bar taking CR to victory.

ARMY vs. NAVY - NAVY Won - 22 - 13

A sensational win by the Navy? NO! The Navy have been improving with every game. They are a good side and Coach Ahamath has done a tremendous job. Let us not forget that the Army only managed to beat them by 14 pts to 13 pts in the 1st Round! In fact the Navy led the Army 10 -6 at half time! Also remember that the Navy led Kandy 3 -0 at half time and for 15 minutes of the 2nd half in the 1st Round game! Crossing the Army goal line on 3 occasions is a fine achievement by the Navy, despite the Army possessing a good 3rd Row. Sometimes complacency gets the better of teams who relax and are then jolted as reality dawns on them. Each team must look back at the 1st round games against opponents and study their shortcomings / strengths. Well done to the Navy - worthy winners. You deserved to win.

Referees: The President of the Rugby Football Referees Society, Jupana Jaya-wardene, must in future ensure that there are standby Referees. When a Referee absents himself at the 11th hour, then a satisfactory explanation must be offered in writing to the Society. Disciplines are necessary. No one is indispensable in this life! I also feel that personalities like Tony Amit, S.W Chang, Daya Jayasundera and Jupana Jayawardene should encourage more to take to refereeing. If there are those interested, then week-end sessions should be conducted for about an hour on instructing them on the Laws through videos initially. Then on to the field using 2 demonstration squads. Like in the case of Umpires, I also feel that Referees should be remunerated well for their services, not only for travelling. The 2 playing teams should bear these costs equally.

Old Antonians, Old Joes in Final

By Marlon Fernandopulle

Old Antonians and Old Josephians qualified to meet in the Quadrangular finals today after notching up convincing wins against Old Bens and Old Peterites in the semi finals played yesterday.

At Darley Road Old Antonian Z. Muthalib captured six wickets to bowl out Old Bens for just 130 runs. Only Rohan Wanaguru (26) and Priyan de Silva (29) offered any form of resistance with the bat as the rest of the Old Benedictine wickets fell like nine pins.

Sapumal Herathge (48) and Sajith Fernando(43) then plundered the Old Benedictine attack as Old Antonians reached the target in only the 19th over losing just four wickets. Sri Lanka opening bowler Chaminda Vaas clai-med five wickets for Old Josephians to send Old Peterites crashing to a 92 run defeat.

Needing 225 to win, the Old Peterites slumped to 15 for 5 wickets and never looked like reaching the target.

Apart from a gritty 69 from Russell Arnold which helped the Old Peterites reach a respectable total the rest of the batting flopped.

Earlier a half century from Johanas Jayas-uriya and useful contributions from Michael Vandort (48) and Chaminda Vaas (29) helped Old Josephians to an imposing 224 for 6 in 45 overs.

At Darley Road:Old Antonians beat Old Bens by 6 wkts.

Old Bens-130 in 34.4 overs(Rohan Wanaguru 26 Priyan de Silva 29 Z Muthalib 6/29) Old Antonians-135/4 in 18.4 overs(Sapumal Hera-thge 48 Sajith Fer-nando 43 Chaminda Vaas 2/44) At Bamb-alapitiya:Old Josephians bt Old Peterites by 92 runs Old Joes-224/6 in 45 overs(Jonas Jaya-suriya 58 Michael Vandort 48 Chaminda Vaas 29 Suranga Pinto 2/27 Rumesh Ratn-ayake 2/40) Old Pet-erites-132 in 35 overs(Russell Arnold 69 Rumesh Ratnayake 19 Chaminda Vaas 5/16).

Lankan soccerites for Vietnam

By Champika Fernando

Sri Lankan soccerites led by Roshan Perera will do battle to retain their champion status against five top national teams at the Ho Chi Min City- LG Cup soccer competition to be held in Vietnam from August 25 to September 2.

Sri Lankan who had a good tour of the Maldives recently were full of confidence of doing well in Vietnam.

The two Brazilian coaches - Jeorge Ferreira and Marcus Ferreira - are doing an excellent job with the training of the Lankan players. Australia, Korea, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Ho Chi Min City are the five national teams vying for honours.

Sri Lanka will meet the host Vietnam in the inaugural match on August 25 which, according to the players is a very important match. China the Asian soccer heroes will battle against Sri Lanka August 27. The semi finals of the tournament is expected to held on August 31 while the final is scheduled to be played on September 2.

Sri Lanka will leave to Vietnam on August 22.

Roshan Perera, M. Naushad, M.K Fuard, Ananda Kumara, E. Chana, J. Hassimdeen, Kasun Jayasuriya, K.M. Aneez, Imran Mohammed, M. Illiyas, A. Laganathan, I. Raheem, K.M Kabeer, Mohamed Asmeer, M. Rizwan, Isuru Uditha Perera, M.J. Rauf.

Vijaya Matale stickers for Chennai tourney

By L.D. Chandrasiri

On the invitation of the Tamilnadu Sports Development Authority, Matale, Viyaya College Under-19 boys and girls hockey teams will tour South India (from September 1 to 10) to participate in an exhibition hockey tournament to be played at the Radha Krishnan hockey playground in Chennai.

In recent times Matale Vijaya College has produced several players, both men and women, who have brought fame and honour to the College as well as to the area by their outstanding performances in this sport at the national level.

They displayed their talents and skills in the game by winning both the Under-19 boys and girls hockey championships titles at the all-island schools hockey tournament held this year in Kandy.

Mayura Manora Aluvihare, the first player to be selected from his school to represent the national team is also included in the team along with four other players, who had participated in the overseas tournaments on previous occasions.

As this is the first occasion in the history of the school that a hockey team is being sent to take part in a tournament held in a foreign country, the past pupils association of the College and the Matale Mayor Rohana Dissanayake, who is also the President of the P.P.A. have made all the necessary arrangements to meet the requirements of the two teams to ensure a successful tour.

During this tour Vijaya College teams will play eight matches against South Indian School teams organised by the Tamilnadu Sports Development Authority.

Third Umpire to assist in LBW and Bat-Pad Catches

By Marlon Fernandopulle

Sri Lanka has proposed to the International Cricket Conference(ICC) to increase the role of the Third Umpire (Television Umpire) by way of seeking his assistance for Bat/Pad catches and for Leg before Wicket decisions.

With the increase in the Technology and the availability of sophisticated Camera's, the decisions of the Officiating Umpires are being questioned very often today.This was quite evident in Sri Lanka's recently concluded Test Series at home and the ongoing England-West Indies series in England where both the Home Umpires and the ICC Neutral Umpires have been Incompetent in their tasks.

Former ICC Umpire K T Francis who is now the Director of Umpiring of the Cricket Board said that Sri Lanka will propose for the introduction of the 'mat' for the third Umpire (upon request from the Head Umpire)to verify where the ball had pitched and where was it at the time of impact with the pad.This decision will be then conveyed by the third Umpire to the Head Umpire, who could then decide, based on all other factors whether the batsmen is adjudged LBW or not.

Sri Lanka will also propose for the assistance of the Third Umpire for Bat/Pad catches.In this instance the Head Umpire could request the third Umpire's assistance to check whether the ball has touched the bat/glove.

Both proposals were expected to be submitted at next week's Annual Umpires Conference in England.Francis, along with ICC Umpires B C Cooray and Peter Manuel will represent Sri Lanka at the Umpires Conference. However, the ICC has requested the BCCSL to submit these proposals to the ICC Cricket Committee, since it would bring about a change in the playing conditions.The Cricket Committee is expected to meet next year. Currently only line decisions,Hit Wicket and the clean take of a catch are referred to the Third Umpire.

Jaipur Limb benefits from charity golf

The Annual Golf Tournament organized by the American Chamber of Commerce at the Ridgeways of the Royal Colombo Golf Club will take off on Friday the 8th September 2000, sponsored by a host of Companies and individuals. Last year the tournament was a huge success and the beneficiaries were the Young Entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka who received over Rs. 200,000/= to assist in their development.

This year the worthy cause chosen is the Jaipur Limb Programme which is a US Government aided programme for the physically handicapped. The Jaipur Limb Programme of Aid was started in 1985 by the Friend In Need Society and they help hundreds of individuals every year.

Spearheading their laudable activities is that delightfully pleasant and energetic personality Kalyani Ranasinghe and when she combines with another exceptional personality Maria Ondaatjie a Director of Am Cham a financially successful Golf Tournament is assured. The Jaipur Limb Programme needs aid.

By Tita

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