Old Sokians to stage cricket competition

The Old Boys Cricket Tournament organised by the Buddhist Schools for the Sir Henry Steele Olcott Challenge Trophy was inaugurated last year and was played in Colombo with a lot of success. The event was hosted by Old Nalandians Sports Club.

This tournament amongst eight schools was started in honour of a leading Buddhist educationist who did a lot to uplift Buddhist education.

According to Bandula Warnapura, who chaired the meeting, this year's fellowship two-day cricket tournament will be hosted by the Old Sokians in Ambalangoda and will take place on December 9 and 10. 

It will be a 15-over tournament and will be played on a league basis. Last year the competition was won by Maliyadeva Kurunegala and Dharmasoka, Ambalangoda were the runners-up.

Lal Ranasinghe, a member of the Organising Committee, told The Sunday Times that this year's tournament in Ambalangoda will be one to remember.

More than cricket it will bring about togetherness and understanding among the old boys of the respective schools for further development of the game amongst the present schoolboys.

At present eight schools are taking part in the competition. They are: Ananda, Nalanda, Dharmaraja, Maliyadeva, Mahinda, Dharmapala, Dharmasoka and Rahula (Matara).

Nelson Mendis, an Old Sokian and former Nalanda cricket coach, will be the chief guest.

Colombo South win

Colombo South registered a massive 122-run victory over Ratnapura Disctrict in a lop sided Inter District Under 15 cricket tournament match played at Seevali Ground, Ratnapura last Sunday. Thomian left hander Nishad Mazahir top scored for Colombo South with a fine 42, ably supported by a hard-hitting 39 by H. Perera of St. John's, Nugegoda as they piled up 171 for 8 in difficult conditions with a grassy outfield. Thomian allrounder Daham Ratnayake produced a superb spell of fast medium bowling, capturing four wickets for just six runs in ten overs as Ratnapura crashed to a paltry 49 all out.

Rover pinpoints

Taken for a ride

Bus loads of athletes travelled to the University of Colombo grounds at Thurstan for competition at the CT & FC meet last Saturday, but they had to turn back disappointed to the outstations due to lack of communication. Organisation not done indeed. The meet is held this weekend. 

Dual purpose

A senior official of the AAA accompanied an athlete for the Junior World Athletic Championships in Chile. This athlete failed to qualify for the 5000 metres second round and he was told to pack up to return to Sri Lanka with four more days of the meet still remaining, not allowing this boy to witness the championships which should have given him more experience, which was not to be. The official returned to Sri Lanka and the very next day according to what Rover learns he accompanied his wife to witness the Sharjah three-nation Cricket championships which Sri Lanka won. One wonders whose expenses he went.

Kept out

Who is this cricket board official, who was told to stay out of a meeting in India though he insisted that he was so and so. This official had to stay out for more than two-and-half hours. 

Gone missing 

Another former cricket board official is supposed to have gone to Australia and his employers are wondering what to do with him, since it is about over a month's absence. 

Misusing his powers 

A senior official from a popular sport is using his powers in the purchase of tickets valued about 6 million, undercutting the other cheaper bidders obtaining a high commission since this official is also employed at this agency. Rover learns that the wives of these sportsmen are to be compelled to buy the tickets from them. It never happened before but, is happening now.What a shame.

what a cost?

The Cricket Board has spent 1.3 million in obtaining the rights to give a live coverage of the two semi-finals and final in the Premier Inter- Club Limited Overs tournament with an added fee to the SLBC in ball-by-ball commentaries of the final.

The Cricket Board

sponsored these games, stating that many new faces were shown on TV, it was true that no more than ten spectators were present at the two semi-finals but more were watching the final played at the R. Premadasa International Stadium. Who is trying to hoodwink whom by these foolish statements. How crazy they look? 

At a price

The first sod was cut and the foundation stone was laid for the International Stadium in Dambulla which work is supposed to be completed before March at a quicker pace. Rover learns that an official is driving at a much faster speed in his new Pajero. One wonders at whose cost? Rover also learns that another official has made the Kandalama Hotel his home in supervising the work at this stadium, again at whose cost.

15th ABC junior women's championship

Who selected the Basketball team for the above tournament to be held in New Delhi from 15th to 23rd of this month? Is it the selectors or the Vice President of SLBF with an American accent and the Coach? How is that five girls from same school at Nugegoda have been selected? Is the coach of this National Team also the coach of the school at Nugegoda?

Injured players

Rover is informed by reliable sources that the Vice-President with an American accent and the Coach have selected two players from the School at Nugegoda and who are suffering with knee injuries. One of the players with a J ti her name is to undergo knee operation before the departure and did not attend practises due to injury. How is that these players have been selected? 

Rs. 10,000/= per player for selection

Two parents of the team selected for 15th ABC Junior women's championship informed Rover that they have paid Rs. 10,000/- each to an office bearer to get their child selected to the team. Has bribery and corruption crept into Basketball administration? 

Who and where are the selectors? 

Who are the selectors? Have they played National level Basketball? How many practices/trials did the selectors attend? What is the criteria drawn up by the selector to select the team? Did the selectors give individual points for the skills of the players? 

This is not the best team 

Rover with the help of members of the EXCO of SLBF wish to inform the readers that this is not the best team that have been selected to represent Sri Lanka. The best players from leading schools who emerged champions in the recently concluded Inter school matches have been left out because they played in the tournament conducted by the actual promoters of Basketball in Sri Lanka. Will the President of the SLBF who is considered a real sportsman take necessary steps to send the best team for the tournament? 

Will Sri Lanka win medal? 

Rover is informed by former national coaches that no basketball team from Sri Lanka will be able to win even a Bronze Medal if the selectors and the coach do not take the best team for our foreign competitions. Except the Verterans no other national team have brought any medals to Sri Lanka for more than ten years. Will the wishes of the Minister of Sports come through at least at this tournament?

Squash clinic at Katunayaka

Bruce Maurice

A very well attended Squash training Clinic was conducted by the Sri Lanka Squash Federation at the recently opened 

Sports Complex of the Sri Lanka Air Force at the S.L.A.F. Base, Katunayaka on November 25th, with Wing Commander Ranjan Samarasinghe and Mrs. Padmini Samarasinghe who are Asian Squash Federation (ASF) Level 2 coaches.

As many as twenty-four Airwomen, thirty Airmen and Officers participated at the Clinic which included an introduction to the basic Strokes and Techniques, Rules of the game, Squash Video and On-Court sessions with group participation. Much assistance in organising the Clinic was provided by Wing Commander Harsha Fernando of Rugby fame, Wing Commander Mahes Jayasuriya and Squadron Leader Nalin Jayatileka. The Air Force has in the past produced excellent squash players without sophisticated facilities such as the calibre of Wing Commander Tony Direcksze, A.V.M. Soza, Wing Commander Noel Fernando to name a few, who were pioneers in the formation of the Squash Federation in the early 1980's. 

A National men's champion was also produced in Oliver Guruge in the 1980's and a National Women's champion in Padmini Samarasinghe who cut her squash teeth in the Air Force. The Ranjan and Padmini Samarasinghe husband and wife combination have sown their Squash oats and produced the present Men's National and Junior National champion Navin Samarasinghe.

Air Force champs for third year

Air Force bagged the practical Pistol Shooting national title for the third consecutive year at the 8th Practical championships held at the Commando Regiment Range at Ganemulla concluded last week. 

The championships was conducted in two divisions, open and standard and in classes A,B and C, so that the shooters with equal skill competed against each other. 

Those who had represented the country at international meets or won major honours at previous nationals were in Class A, the C class was for beginners and the others who had never won any events. All others competed in Class B. 

There were six interesting stages, 3 short course, 2 medium and 1 field course. 

In the standard division, Dr. J. Nanayakkara of the Sport Shooting Association outshot the rest with his glock chambered in .45 ACP while in the B Class Asela Premnath of the Police emerged winner and Major R.Handunapathirana of the Army won the C class aggregate. 

The Sri Lanka Navy B team comprising Chief Petty Officer Nayanpriya, Petty Officer N.H.M.S. Dhammika, Leading Sailor I.A.P. Imbulgoda and Commander Travis Sinniah won the standard division team event followed by the Army A team and Army B team. 

Shooting of a high standard was seen in the open division with International shooters like Sgt. Sunil Prematilleka and Flight Lt. Nalin Galapaththi of the Air Force and Major Pooraka Seneviratne, Major Janaka Ritigahapola and Col. Pasan Kularatne of the Army doing well at every stage. 

Inoka Weerasinghe of the Air Force outclassed all other ladies to easily win the ladies championships and also beat the best of the men to be runner-up to the men's winner Sgt. Sunil Prematilleka, in the open division with Janaka Ritigahapola taking the third place. 

Lac. N.P. Basnayake of the AirForce was the best in the B Class while SI R.M. Wimalaratne of the Police won the C Class aggregate. Among the ladies Kalani Weerasinghe of the Air Force won the B Class and A.G.A. Prasadika also of the Air Force shooting in her first match came in 3rd and also won the C Class aggregate. 

The champion Air Force team that won the title for the third consecutive year comprised, Flight Lt. Nalin Galapaththi, Sgt. Sunil Prematilleka, Sgt. A.R. Rohitha and LAC. Basnayake.

The chief guest at the prize distribution was the former President of the National Rifle Shooting Association (NRA) Air Commodore Buddhi Siriwardena who was instrumental in introducing Practical Pistol shooting in Sri Lanka.

Peiris steers Petes to victory

A splendid unbeaten knock of 121 by top order batsman Lahiru Peiris steered St.Peter's to a thrilling two wicket victory with two deliveries to spare over St.Sebastian's in their under 13 division 1 limited overs final worked off amidst a large crowd at Campbell Park last evening.

Chasing a formidable score of 251 for 8 in 50 overs made by the Sebs the Peterites eventually made it, thanks to Lahiru Peiri's wonderful innings which greatly entertained the spectators.

His undefeated knock comprised 11 boundaries and four sweetly timed sixes while Randika Fernando with 31 added 83 runs for the fifth wicket.

Peiris was also involved in another productive stand of 74 runs for the fourth wicket with his skipper Prabuddha Perera who made 22.

Earlier a gallant 143 run partnership for the fourth wicket between skipper Dilhan Cooray (71), and Randika Fernando (83) helped St.Sebastian's to post a relatively competitive score of 251 for 8.

Cooray's innings was laced with 10 fours while Fernando cracked 12 fours and one over the ropes during his stint at the crease.

However their overall team effort was not enough to bring them the title as Lahiru Peiris with his tremendous innings of 121 took the match away from them to spark celebrations in the Peterite camp.

St Sebastians - 251/8 wkts in 50 overs (Randika Fernando 83, Dilhan Cooray 71, Manoj Pullukkody 33 n.o., Sachintha Cooray 26, Dulip Peiris 12, Lahiru Peiris 2/46, Shewan Edirisinghe 2/39)

St. Peter's - 252/8 in 49.4 overs ( Chewan Edirisinghe 11, Krishan Magage 15, Lahiru Peiris 121 n.o., Praduddha Perera 22, Randika Fernando 31). ( J.K)

Three records at CT & FC meet 

By Bruce Maurice.

Three meet records were set up on the first day of the 39th senior and 28th 

junior CT & FC meet at the University Grounds, Thurstan Road yesterday. 

The records were set up by V.S.C. Sewandi who returned a time of 12:04.04 in the girls' under 19 3000 metres, D.A.D. N. Gunaratne who returned a timing of 10.06 seconds in the boys' under 11 75 metres and M. Gamage who returned a timing of 11.06 seconds in the girls' under 11 75 metres.

Results:

Girls' under 19. 3000 metres: (1). V.S.C. Sewandi 12:04.0. Girls' under 19 200. metres: (1). K. Gayanthri. 29.1 secs. Girls' under 19 long jump: (1). H. Kaluarchchi. 4.77 metres. Girls' under 17 discus: (1). O. Gunasekera. 24.43 metres. Girls' under 17. 200 metres: Amila Chandrasekera 28.8 secs. Girl's under 17: Amila Chandrasekera. 4.65 metres. 100 metres hurdles: (1). Ruwini. Kalpage. 26.1 secs. Girls' under 17 long jump: Amila Chandrasekera 4.65 metres. Girls' under 15 200 metres: (1). Suleka Prasadhi. 29.3 secs. Girls' under 15 long jump: (1) Buddi Prasadhi. 4.85 metrs. Girls' under 13 200 metres:(1) Ishara Harshani 30.0 secs. Girls' under 17. 75 metres:(1) M. Gamage 11.0 secs. Girl's under 13 long jump: (1). Dilups Priyadharshani. 4.56 metres. Girls' under 11 long jump: (1). .G. Ranabahu. 4.03 metres. 

Boys' events. Under 19 400 metres hurdles. (1). Kumara Chandrasena 60.7 secs.

Under 19. 800 metres (1) M.T.W. Silva 2;06.9. Under 17.800 metres: (1). R. Ranjith. 2:09.4. Under 17 hurdles: (1). P.P. Perera 20.07. Under 11. 75 metres. (1). D.A. Gunapala. 10.6. under 15 200 metrs. C.D. Hewavitharana. 24.8 secs. Under 13. 200.metres. W. Nanayakkara 27.8. Under 19 110 metres hurdles: (1). B.D.K. Chandrasena 16.3 secs. Under 17. 200 metrs (1). C.C. Edirisinghe 23.9. 200 metres.

Under 19: A. H. Ariyatilleka 23.4. 400 metres hurdles. (1). W.G.D. Kumarsinghe 62.1

Women's Open events. 200 metres. (1). K.A.A. Lakmali 28.6 ses. 400 metres hurdles. (1). W. Sandamali. 1: 22.3. 3000 metres. (1). C. Janaki. 16; 21.7. 5000 metres. (1). E.C. Stiuter. 21; 33.6. Long Jump. (1). C.S. Manawadu. 4.05 metres 100 metrs Hurdles. (1). W. Sandamali. 19.0 secs. Discuss. (1). R. Pushpakumari. 21.52 metres. Men's Open results. 800 metres: (1). Asanka Senadeera.2; 11.6 secs. 200 metrs . S.P.K. Pathirana 23.8.ses. 110 metres Hurdles. W.G.D. Kumarasinghe 16.8 secs. 

McKenzie scores 120

PORT ELIZABETH, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Neil McKenzie was dismissed for 120 with nine overs left on the third daya of the second Test between South Africa and New Zealand on Saturday. South Africa were 345 for eight.

McKenzie drove a ball from medium pacer Craig McMillan to Craig Spearman at short cover after four-and-a-half hours at the crease in which he faced 206 balls and hit 20 fours. It was his maiden test century.

The dismissal ended an eighth-wicket stand of 136 between McKenzie and Nicky Boje, who was 44 not out. 

Allan Donald joined Boje at the crease.

New Zealand made 298 in their first innings.

McKenzie reached his century off 164 balls with 17 fours.

He and Nick Boje (37) have shared an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 110.

Hemang Badani guides India to victory

CUTTACK, India, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Young left-hander Hemang Badani struck his maiden half-century to guide India to a three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first one-day international on Saturday.

The 24-year-old's 67-ball knock of 58 helped the hosts reach 255 for seven with 2.4 overs to spare after Zimbabwe's slow bowlers raised hopes of defending their healthy 253 for seven, made after electing to bat.

Left-arm spinner Dirk Viljoen removed openers Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar for 44 runs each in the space of eight balls to break their 102-run opening wicket stand.

Wickets fell at regular intervals after that and India were struggling at 144 for five by the 31st over.

But man of the match Badani, who struck three fours and a six, raised 60 runs for the sixth wicket with stumper Vijay Dahiya (35) and exactly 50 runs for an unbroken seventh wicket stand with Ajit Agarkar (19 not out).

India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

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