Sirisoma in exclusive world billiards circle

Sri Lanka National Billiards Champion K.H. Sirisoma became Sri Lanka's latest world class entry when he was adjudged as one of the World's First Sixteen Billiards Players at the recently concluded World Billiards Championships held in Middlesborough, England. The 2000 World Billiards Championship was conducted jointly by the world governing bodies, the international Billiards and Snooker Federation and the World Billiards Association. Unlike in the former years where the championship was limited to world amateur players, this year saw the entry of players from the world's professional circuit, which made this championship a ProAm event. Since the last two decades, this is as close as Sri Lanka came to winning the world title after M.J.M. Lafir won the world championship in 1973.

Sirisoma, a highly disciplined and committed billiards player have been Sri Lanka's National Champion on 13 occasions and have participated in many Amateur World and Asian Championships gaining much international exposure. However, this year's World Championship saw the inclusion of several world professional players, among whom of the four league matches played by Sirirsoma he won three matches against Victor O'Gorman of the Republic of Ireland, Emest Shomey & Darren Kell of England whilst losing to Peter Gilchrist of England. Sirisoma's performance in the league matches, easily saw him through to the world's best sixteen when he lost to world professional player Geet Sethi of India at the knock-out stage.

The greatest handicap faced by Sirisoma, according to team delegate Sarath De Alwis, General Secretary of the Billiards and Snooker Association of Sri Lanka, was the new playing rule of best of 50 points per frame adopted by the world governing body at this championship, which eventually saw players of the calibre of Sirisoma who are used to play the much longer time frame game of billiards being unsettled with the sudden change of rules. Added to this, the inclusion of world professional players also contributed towards the competitiveness of the world championship as unlike amateurs who have to practice in-between employment responsibilities, world professionals live with the game. It was also noted the lack of an international coach to train Sri Lanka players, which the able President of the local governing body Sajjad Mawzoon have brought to the notice of Lakshman Kiriella Minister of Sports and Milton Amarasinghe, Director of Sports who have readily agreed to support such a venture. With the cue sports now being introduced to the Sri Lanka schools sports curriculum and the official launching ceremony of the schools development programme tentatively planned by the local association of mid-January, 2001 the immediate need now has arisen for the training of as many trainers as possible. With Billiards, Snooker and Pool games introduced for the forthcoming Akita Games, Japan, the Asian Games in Pusan and being recognized as an Olympic Games discipline for the year 2004 the Billiards and Snooker Association of Sri Lanka have made bold plans to propagate the game among schoolchildren and the rural youth in order to source and harness the best possible talent for a pool of players to be coached to form a highly competitive Sri Lankan contingent for future international participation.

The sports of Billiards and Snooker have reached an apex in Sri Lanka and it is only time which will dictate the glory of producing yet another world champ for Mother Lanka.

Give more importance to coach education in soccer

By Gamini Perera

"The AFC has designed a pyramid to establish a progressive and systematic development of football in the Asian countries, which will contribute to high quality and progress of Asian football."

The above statement is picked from an article written by former national player, M.S. Hashimdeen in last week's Sunday Times of November 26, 2000.

Much has been written on youth development in football. But, one factor which had escaped the attention of many a writer is of coach education.

The vital expectation of coach education is to ensure the breeding of players with sound technique, eventually emerging in the national ranks. This will further accelerate the FFSL's efforts to be amongst the best in Asian football. The initiative will also ensure that in terms of development, Sri Lanka will have good coaches, handling teams at the grassroots.

Prides itself

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) prides itself on having a sound coach education programme, the planning of which began in 1990.

But it was only in 1994 that the 'C' Licence course commenced and thereafter the 'B' Licence programme was introduced in 1998.

In 1998, the AFC's coach education initiative was capped by the 'A' Licence course, with coaches having undergone it, receiving recognition throughout Asia.

The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) too, fell in line with this Coach Education Programme with the hope of enhancing the coaching talent pool spread throughout the island.

Right cue

The FFSL taking the right cue, welcomed the trend amongst AFC members to organize 'C' and 'B' Licence courses on their own initiative and with the support of the AFC Technical Department.

This shows our own commitment to ensure that only qualified coaches handle the respective teams in Sri Lanka. As the AFC pyramid depicts, these teams cover from schools upto the national team.

But what should be of interest and concern to the governing body, the FFSL should be not only to cater to the laid-out pyramid, but to venture out into the impending Professional Diploma Coaching Course.

In April 2001, the AFC will launch the much awaited Professional Diploma Coaching Course.

This Professional Course for Coaches will be conducted with the assistance and co-operation of UEFA. Europe for the record, is the only other continent to boast of such a course.

Against this background it is only logical that the FFSL should by now request the AFC to include Sri Lanka coaches to be enlisted to this wide-ranging course, without waiting till the eleventh-hour to send in their nominations.

This course will be conducted in three modules, with the participating coaches undergoing attachments with top European clubs as part of the programme.

The coaches to be selected for this Professional Diploma Course should possess the AFC 'A' Licence Certificate or its equivalent, be coaching a professional team at the time he applies and be between the ages of 30 to 45 years and be physicallty fit.

According to the General Secretary of the AFC, Dato Peter Velappan: "AFE hopes that in the not too distant future, all Asian teams - especially national and professional sides - will be handled by Asian coaches. This is our dream."

The urgency

True, the firm foundation of football anywhere in the world is established by the youth, young boys from the age of 10 to 18. But, to train these youth we must have the appropriate men and material. That's the urgency in having a sound coach education programme. We trust the FFSL will give paramount importance to this great need.

Solidarity course in Windsurfing

The International Olympic Solidarity course in Windsurfing sponsored by the International Sailing Federation and the International Olympic Committee will be held at the CIS Sports Centre at Bentota Beach Hotel from November 30 to December 11.

The John Keells Hotels group will be hosting the visiting teenage Australian Windsurfing Champion cum Instructor Jonathan Bonnitcha and the training course will climax with the presentation of certificates to successful participants on December 11 2000.

These details were disclosed to the media by Joseph Kenny President of the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka at a media briefing held at Trans Asia Hotel last week.

Speaking at the briefing he said his Association has a goal to send Windsurfers to participate at the forthcoming Asian Games in Pusan Korea in 2002 and this Windsurfing course will be arranged to choose a few candidates for regular training.

"Sri Lanka won a Bronze medal at the Asian Games in December '99 and the Sri Lankan Olympic Sailor Lalin Jirasinghe made special contacts to the New South Wales Sailing Association who in turn have been very generous in recommending Jonathan Bonnitcha as a coach for the Sri Lankan Sailors" said Joseph Kenny.

Asia Pacific Masters Games 2000

Veteran cagers strike bronze

In the wake of the megastars of the present, who attended the Olympic Games, Australia's Gold Coast hosted the stars of the past, at the Asia Pacific Masters Games recently. The Games are one of the biggest sporting events in the world with as many as 11,000 athletes from over 45 countries competing. Doubtless inspired by Susanthika Jayasinghe's heroics in neighboring Sydney, just two months later the Sri Lanka Veterans Basketball team brought home a Bronze medal.

The Sri Lanka Veterans Basketball Association fielded 2 teams in the age group of over 45 years and over 50 years to compete at these games held for the Asia Pacific region.

The over 45's team was led by former Thomian captain and all-star crack centre, Karu Amarasinghe who represented Sri Lanka in the early 70's and is presently attached to the Bank of Ceylon.

The others who represented the pioneering Veterans team were former Sri Lanka players Vincent Loganathan, Francis de Silva, Remegius Perera, Z. A. M. Mahroof and Basil Fernando of the Maharajah Organization, Thiagan De Croos (St. Joseph's and Western Province), J.R.M.Ponrajah (Western Province), Nihal Perera (St. Peter's). In addition 3 players domiciled in Australia namely Vernon Davidson (Former Sri Lanka), Clifford Vandergert (St. Peter's and Public Schools), Charles Jansz (Western Province) joined the team in the Gold Coast.

The team was coached by the evergreen Naufel Mahroof of St. Peter's and Orients fame, who himself was a former Sri Lankan player and IBF referee.

Understandably the team took a little time to settle down and adjust to the taller players and the physical play of the foreign teams. Although the Sri Lankans were on the average the shortest team in the competition, they were able to overcome this by sheer speed and experience, scoring most of the points on fast breaks in true L.A.Lakers style.

After playing seven matches upto the semi-final stage, the Sri Lankans met Guam (who beat Sri Lanka on a previous occasion) in the third place playoff. Due to the vast number of American expatriates in the tiny Pacific Island a very high standard of basketball was on display.

The Sri Lankans however, playing a faster game to combat the physical superiority of their opponents beat Guans by 62 points to 47. The chief scorers for the veterans were Vernon Davidson 26, Frances de Silva 18, Z. A. M. Mahroof 11 and Clifford Vandergert 09, whilst Vincent Loganathan and Karu Amarasinghe excelled in defense, a facet of the game which is very much overlooked in Western countries. They lost in the semi-finals to the eventual winners of the Gold - the Dads' Army team of Australia. The Queensland Cactus team, another Australian group won the Silver.

When Sri Lanka was announced as Bronze medal winners in the over 45's category and Captain Karu Amarasinghe walked up to receive the medal, they received the biggest cheer from the crowd, obviously for the fine sportsmanship qualities and skills displayed by them. It was a golden moment for this bunch of enthusiastic veterans. The history of the moment must not be downplayed, as this is the first international event in which a Sri Lankan basketball team has been able to achieve such heights.

However, it is disheartening to note the inability of most of the players to secure sponsorship for their endeavor. Except for the Maharaja Organization and New Zealand Mild Products Ltd., which sponsored their employees and the Elizabeth Moir School, which sponsored their Sports Manager Z. A. M. Mahroof, none of the other employers stepped forward to assist the project. Maybe with less time wasted on raising funds and more spent on practice, this same group could have brought home Silver. Or even a Gold. As a result their victory is even more noteworthy., as it was achieved almost single handedly.

Karu Amarasinghe as team organizer says a big ' Thank you' to the advertisers of the souvenir published for the occasion and all employers who sponsored their employees to make this event a success, and bring honour to the country. A special word of gratitude to the Sports Ministry officials and the Minister of Sports Lakshman Kiriella for appreciating the achievements of the Veteran cagers. Let us not forget the veteran cagers domiciled in Australia, namely, Hillary White, Vernon Davidson, Charles Jansz, Clifford Vandergert and Gamini Alwis strengthened the team.

Arduous task ahead

for Lanka in S.Africa

Life for the National Cricketer has changed dramatically over the last half a dozen years. In the nineteen fifties and sixties International teams used to play whistle-stop games and there were a few occasional tours around the subcontinent. Very slowly longer tours started to develop during the nineteen seventies. Once 'test' status was obtained the tempo picked up, but only since the middle of the last decade has Sri Lanka embarked on full tours.

No rest

The forthcoming visit to South Africa and New Zealand could be considered as the most arduous assignment undertaken by the national team to date.

After this long sojourn there is no immediate rest, as the Englishmen would already be on local soil waiting for Jayasuriya's men to return. This will be followed by a visit to Sharjah, to combat India and Pakistan.

In just under five months the Sri Lankans will be tested by the South Africans, New Zealanders, Englishmen, Indians and the Pakistani's. It will no doubt keep the cricket enthusiasts occupied and entertained, during different hours of the day.

With the different conditions that have to be mastered and the two formats of the game, "Horses for Courses" is a phrase that selectors have to cling on to. The selection of the sixteen to Africa resembles a squad that has been picked with that thought in mind.

There is still some rawness in this team. The consoling factor is that they have grown rapidly and steadily as an unit. Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, his deputy Marvan Atapattu and wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana, who not long ago were up and coming stars, are now the senior citizens of the brigade. They have toured this part of the world and they have a major role to play.

Vital

This tour will be a vital learning exercise. The pitches are bound to contain pace and bounce. Not familiar conditions, which the batsmen will have to adapt to very quickly. With so many tours happening there is very little in terms of warm-up or practise games. Every opportunity has to be made use of, in the few instances available.

Batsmen, Mahela Jayawardena, Russel Arnold, Avishka Gunawardena, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara will all be put to the test by the quicker bowlers whom they come across. Handling the short-pitched deliveries and playing well on the back foot are the areas the batsmen should be working on during the training sessions that are in progress.

Needless to mention Muttiah Muralitharan heads the bowling attack. To expect the pitches to take spin is an absolute dream.

Muralitharan will get turn but not an amount that will make him unplayable. He has added some variatons to his operations. That, together with guile and persistence will still make him a different customer for the opposition.

Zoysa

Nuwan Zoysa is the strike bowler whom the captain can lean on. It will be so vital for Sri Lanka that Zoysa stays one hundred per cent fit through the tour. He will have to be used somewhat sparingly as he must be out there for the three test matches and the six one- dayers.

Chaminda Vaas and Pramodya Wickremasinghe are vastly experienced in their field and youngsters Kaushalya Weeraratne and Dilhara Fernando have been improving steadly. In recent outings these bowlers have been operating to their strengths. Not deviating from the basics and keeping it simple. Coach Dav Whatmore will no doubt be urging his bowlers Chandana and Pushpakumara included, to continue in this manner.

The bowling department will be successful if each individual plays his part, with Muralitharan taking the lead role.

The series commences mid-December. All the players will be stretching every muscle and sinew to outdo the South Africans.

They too are in the process of some rebuilding. Should both teams perform to the best of their ability then some entertaining cricket can be witnessed.

Dilip Kumar holds sway

By Bernie Wijesekera

Sri Lankan born Dilip Kumar - a former Trinity athletics 'Lion', who is doing much for the promotion of rugby has done proud for Sri Lanka. He was appointed a director of the Australian Rugby Union.

Kumar besides this appointment also serves in the N.S.W. Union, Australia's largest Rugby Union with over 55,000 registered players.

He migrated to Australia in 1975. Though a 'Lion' in athletics - hurdles like late legendary Duncan White and the present Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, he also played rugby for the school. He continued his passion for rugby as a player in Victoria and later as a major rugby club sponsor and administrator.

He is like former Royalist, Malik Samarawickrema, who was an athlete and a rugby player, too.

But his first love was rugby and spends much of his time and material for its promotion and development. Both are enjoying a lucrative business at international level.

Despite being away from home Dilip has done much for the promotion and for its upliftment. It was his brainchild. Along with Dennis Bree and former Rugby Union President, Dr. Maiya Gunasekera, they sowed the seeds for the annual series between Northern Territories and Sri Lanka. Today Kumar, plays a dynamic role in the management and development of rugby Down Under and in the Asian region.

Despite his business commitments for the promotion and marketing of Holden cars, Kumar still spends his precious time for rugby.

He chairs the Australian Rugby Union Asian Development Committee. He is entrusted with the development of the sport in the Asian region. Dilip has taken a number of teams to play in China as part of its development and promotional programme in the area.

China today has picked up the fundamentals of the game pretty fast. Before long, they will be in the forefront with leading countries in Asia - thanks to the Australian Rugby Union and Rugby reconciliation three-quarter line, where Kumar is a key member.

Briefly

Richmond College Union AGM on December 8

Pettah United trounce Java Lane

Inter firm Badminton

Youth Football in Kotte

Tri Star beat Chilaw Youth 6/0

Fei Quan Do martial artists learn swimming

The Fei Quan Do International well-known locally and internationally for its fast growing popularity as one of the major martial arts with a large membership is a craze among self-defense conscious and fitness conscious persons, ladies and gents alike.

Fei Quan Do is of Sri Lanka origin and style founded by Grand Master M. Hassan Khalid who has expanded its activities in conducting swimming classes in a number of International Schools.

The coaching in swimming is headed by A.J.Thaha who is the Consultant and supported by Fayaz, Shihan, Nuzri, Chandani Jayawardena, N.A, Ariyawansa and Fawaz.

Swimming coaching classes are being held at the St Joseph's College pool and Kinross pool regularly.

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