Briefly

Dayawansa is top athlete

Thashi Uddima Dayawansa is proving to be a top athlete and swimmer, excelling in these two sports for Mahamaya BMV Kandy. Thashi set up a new record in the 200 metres clocking 28.2 seconds at the National Schools meet and also won the first place in the 100 metres freestyle events. She also was chosen as the best athlete at the Sir John Tarbat Junior meet winning the 80 metres in a record time of 10.9 seconds in the girls' Under-12 section. Before coming to Sri Lanka Thashi studied in Grade 1 and 2 at Armydale College, New South Wales, Australia. She is being coached by S.M. Piyasena and S.M.G. Bandara.

Neville takes over from Kiriella

Former President of the Schools C.A. and Warden of S.Thomas' Mtl., Neville de Alwis is the new President of the Association of Cricket Umpires Sri Lanka. He takes over from Minister of Sports, Lakshman Kiriella. After being appointed Minister of Sports, he had to relinquish office. His term ends in June, 2001. This was decided at a special meeting held in honour of the Minister on Dec., 8 by its membership at its headquarters. During his term, Minister Kiriella did much for the uplift their image to live with dignity on and off the field. Kiriella, who presided at this farewell, proposed De Alwis' name and was unanimously accepted. He promised to help the umpiring fraternity in the future, too. Thilanga Sumathipala, the President of the Cricket Board, who was a special invitee at this get-together called upon the umpires to work unitedly and help improve their levels for a better future. The secretary of the ACUSL, Dicky Dunwille, paid a glowing tribute to Kiriella for helping the umpiring fraternity to live with honour. (B.W)

Ananda bag 7 golds

Ananda athletes bagged seven gold medals at Junior Age Group meet which concluded in Islamabad last month. Athletes from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka participated.

Lasan de Lanerolle was adjudged the best athlete at the meet winning the 100 metres in a time of 11.3 seconds. Athletes from Ananda, Royal, Nalanda and Visakha participated in this meet.

Lasan de Lanerolle won three gold medals in the boys' 100, 200 and in the 4 X 100 metres relay. Chulanga Attanayake won three gold medals in the long jump, triple jump and 4 X 100 relay, while Darshana Warnakulasuriya won two gold medals in the 400 metres and 4 X 100 metres relay, Deneth Alahakoon won a gold in the high jump with Dilan Ranasinghe winning a gold in the 4 X 100 metres relay.

The birth of Kotte Tennis Centre

The vision of the Mayor of Kotte Chandra Silva and the enthusiasm of Palitha De Silva have made it possible to make available to the residents of Kotte two courts for the playing of tennis by both adults and children.

The Kotte Tennis Academy has commenced the first phase of this plan to broad-base the activities conducted at the Chandra Silva Stadium.

There are plans to next establish a swimming pool and a baseball field as well.

De Silva who coordinates the activities of the Kotte Tennis Academy stated that it was less motivation than facilities that impaired the performance of our players.

He recalled the comments of an Australian swimming coach who had asked why Sri Lanka could not produce an International swimming champion when it was surrounded by the sea and had an ample supply of rivers and lakes.

She concluded that it was lack of motivation on the part of Sri Lankans who did not take advantage of the natural resources of water that was freely available all over the country.

Reverting to the subject of tennis De Silva commented on the rather common sight 25 years ago of seeing tennis courts from Polonnaruwa to Colombo belonging to Public Service departments for the use of their executives and staff.

Unfortunately these tennis courts have now become storage grounds for equipment and other utensils belonging to those departments. De Silva spoke of India's plans to construct 400 tennis courts in India with the objective of raising at least 10 players within the first 100 rankings in International Tennis. De Silva asked "If India can do it, why don't we try to get at least one player on an international seeding?"

De Silva also commented that our young players should receive match practice and international exposure if we were to produce an international winner.

He spoke of the Junior Tennis players in Hong Kong, who according to their coach, are regularly being exposed to international forums by arranging at least 14 fixtures per year outside of their country. De Silva mentioned that there were limited coaches in the country and therefore the common man found it too expensive to meet the fees of the limited number of coaches.

Teaching the value of commitment is often the greatest gift a coach can give to athletes.

The ability to make a commitment will be with them throughout their lives, whether it's on the job, in a marriage, or in sports.

Speaking of the Kotte Tennis Academy he stated that there were four coaches who were employed to popularise the game amongst the youth in Kotte.

He said that the Health Club of Sri Lanka would be conducting a tournament shortly and would be using the court facilities belonging to the Academy. He hoped to field at least 10 young players at this tournament so that they could receive some match practice and understand the intricasies of the game at competitive level.

De Silva stated that it was the plan of the Kotte Tennis Academy to organise a number of tournaments under the auspices of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association both locally and internationally so that young players could receive the experience and exposure that they required to improve their game. De Silva said "We will do everything possible within our capacities to develop international players but the players themselves should have a burning desire to be the best.

There is no substitute for motivation and enthusiasm, in fact, it is more important than talent and skill".

"Players often try to delay making a commencement by relying more and more on talent.

The greater the natural ability, the longer the procrastination. Less talented athletes are more likely to make a total commitment sooner in their careers out of necessity.

Those wishing to enrol as members are requested to contact Mr. De Silva either at the Academy situated at the Chandra Silva Stadium or on the telephone - 878150.

Kandy cricket, down in the doldrums

By Malsiri Kurukulasuriya

As a citizen of Kandy and a cricket enthusiast, I find it hard to believe that the second most important cricketing city in Sri Lanka has no team in the Premier Division. What has Panadura, Ambalangoda, Kurunegala and Galle etc., got over Kandy?

As far as I can gather nothing, but self-interest and a lack of commitment by the authorities who are supposed to work for the betterment of cricket in this city.

There are approximately 10 teams registered and a handful of "independents". All that has happened is a dilution of talent with no chance of escaping the gutter of Div. 3 cricket.

If we as lovers of the game and this beautiful city can get together to improve the standard of cricket, I believe we have the talent to play in the Premier League. This in turn would enable other players to move up to Div. 2.

One of the biggest problems in Kandy is the shortage of grounds. Except for two, all the playing fields are owned by the schools.

The exceptions are the Police Park and the University Grounds at Peradeniya. These are so heavily booked that the ground staff have little time for proper preparation. The result is rough outfields and poor batting surfaces.

This is why we were hoping Pallakelle would be built with an Academy and a few pitches available to the clubs.

But listening to Mr. Sumathipala it appears Dambulla is to be given priority over Pallakelle. This was disappointing to us. But it also makes urgent need for clubs to amalgamate so that we can lessen the dilution of talent. This in turn will produce cricket of a better and competitive nature.

It is to be hoped that all concerned will put aside personal interests and work towards the goal of producing a competitive side which we can be proud of.

We must not neglect the schools. The same problems seem to have affected them.

Trinity has 3 wins in the past 5 seasons.

Rightly they have been demoted to Division 2. St. Anthony's who were there last year has been promoted.

All the other schools seem to be bitten by the same bug. Perhaps St. Sylvesters playing good cricket over the past 2 years stands as the only side worth watching.

Massage in sports

By Dr. D. Atukorela

(1) Massage is using physical force on soft tissue with benefit to a player promoting healing and maintaining fitness before talking of massage, let us see what happens after a training session or a game.

(2) How does it work?

P pain control..... reduce tension

Reduce harmful chemicals

A Adhesion prevention....

T Thickening prevention

I Inefficient scar prevention

S Soreness of muscle (delayed) prevention (DOMS) - Frequency and severity reduced

S Spasm control

N Nutrition improvement

C Circulation improvement

F Flexibility improvement

L Lengthening the muscles during rest for a few days

(3) When - Should get a massage?

About the 3rd day - when there is no pain, while working the muscle. At this stage do only a superficial massage

(4) What should a good masseur do before a massage?

Must relax the muscle or the tissue. This can be done in a number of ways to get best results. He must move/contract/shorten/the tissue or the joint prior to massaging.

(5) Why use oils?

To cut down skin irritation causing dermatitis

Dr. D. Atukorela, who is a life member of Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association, Post-Graduate qualified family practitioner whose special interests are Sports Medicine, Industrial Medicine, Hospital Administration and Psychology where he has undergone training and holds certificates. He has been attending to rugby injuries for nine consecutive years and has been associated with all major sporting events.

Garfield Sobers – 'King of the Willow'

By Rex Wijewardene

Sir Donald Bradman will remain a legend as the greatest batsman of all times. From the Caribbean came some of the greats of the past, such as, George Headley known as the black Bradman, Sir Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes, Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Wes Hall, Lance Gibbs and the greatest of them all Sir Garfield Sobers, regarded as the greatest all-rounder the game has produced. His remarkable performances in the game is history. In this article I would wish to highlight one of his most memorable innings, in his career. That season 1971-72 was one of the most interesting in the history of Australian Cricket. Australia was to play South Africa the champion team led by the Pollock brothers, Peter and Graeme, Barry Richards, and Mike Proctor to name a few. They had beaten Bill Lawry's Australians in their last encounter 4-0 in a Test series. Unfortunately, the tour was cancelled due to the disapproval of the South African government's racial policy. As a result a Rest of the World XI toured Australia, led by the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers. It was a star-studded side, with players of the calibre of the Pollock brothers, Bishen Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar and Tony Greig to name a few. It was on this tour in the New Year of January 1972, that Sobers played the innings of his lifetime, scoring 254 at the MCG. It was the great Don Bradman who made these comments on his innings, "I believe Sobers' innings was proveably the greatest exhibition of batting seen in Australia, I have seen nothing equal to it in this country. Overseas, I still believe Stan McCabe's 232 at Nottingham was in some respects better, this would give you an insight to the brilliance of his innings. The Melbourne match was the third in the series and the World XI was in deep trouble. One down due to the fiery pace of Lillee's 8 for 29 at Perth.

In the first innings Sobers went for no score, and the World XI were heading for another defeat, with just 45 runs ahead of Australia having lost three wickets.

In this crisis situation, the great Sobers made his way to the middle in the second innings, when he left the World XI were 400. He hit two successive sixes off Kerry O' Keeffe, and 33 boundaries in his splendid innings. With Peter Pollock he put on 186 runs for the 8th wicket, and Sobers made 129 of them. He averaged 79 runs per 100 balls, these figures speak for themselves. This masterly innings from the King of the Willow is regarded as one of the greatest innings of all time.

Rover pinpoints...

Could this be true?

Rover learns that a leading sport is paying its employees about Rs. 2 million per month from its coffers without any income.

How true is this?

The Sri Lanka tour management in South Africa is not in a happy mood, over the pocket money paid to cricketers. Rover learns that only 22 US dollars are being paid per cricketer, whilst they were paid 50 US dollars on a tour of this nature depending on the countries that they tour nearer to Sri Lanka. Matters have been discussed but no guarantee has been given regarding an increase, Rover learns.

Who is trying to fool whom

Has not earlier AGM's of the Cricket Board been held when tours were on? Why this hurry? Is it because a VIP supporting a certain candidate will be away during the month of March and his support is necessary for an extended term for this candidate? How on earth could they hold the AGM, when those seeking to vote at the AGM will be deprived of the right of voting first without holding their district AGM's.

Who cancelled Kenyan tour

Rover learns that a bigwig of the Cricket Board had wanted a cricketer from a leading Club close to its headquarters to go as Captain for the favours he had done to this bigwig and advised the selectors to pick him. Over two-and-half months to three, these cricketers were put through their paces for the tour commencing January 7. What a crying shame! Is this the way to promote cricket? Over to you, Mr. Minister.

No permission?

Has the newly appointed Minister of Sports given the nod to the bigwig, to seek another term. Only time will tell!

All not Rosy

The big mouth who said he was consulting his lawyers to reply to the petition, has not done so and instead summoned a Exco meeting and appointed five of his close aides with the initials of PL., PF, HWN, OF and PHDW to draft a petition in reply to place their confidence in the Big Mouth, addressed to the Minister. Everyone was instructed to be present on Monday last to sign this petition before it could be sent to the Minister, but only a handful did so. Already in frail condition this big mouth under pressure named D.V DW. and DP. as those carrying on a campaign to oust him. Even the coaches have been approached by the Big Mouth to sign a separate petition, but it met with the same fate.

Declare assets

The Minister of Sports should be congratulated in stating that he would appoint a committee to inquire into the allegations against the Big Mouth. But it should call those sitting in judgment to call the husband and wife duo to declare their assets since more facts will come to light, as to how they acquired this amount of wealth.

Exam for athletic officials

The Technical Officials Examination conducted by the Amateur Athletics Association of Sri Lanka will be held on February 10, 2001.

According to the Chairman Technical Committee of the AAA Mr. P.H.D. Waidyatilaka, district seminars have been arranged in the run-up for the examination, some of which have already been completed successfully with a host of would be athletic officials attending these seminars.

The seminars scheduled for the month of December are as follows: Anuradhapura (16 and 17), Badulla (16 and 17), Matara (23 and 24).

The examination and grading system of the Technical Officials have been streamlined and the new system as approved by the AAA.

Boat-racing climax in Bolgoda today

The last sailing regatta of the Yachting Association for the year, The Navy Challenge Cup would be sailed today December 17 at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club, Bolgoda. It's a fleet race consisting of Enterprise, GP 14, Waterwag and the Laser and will consist of two races.

The naval sailing club is expected to enter six tears and the helms are expected to be W.K. Janaka, L. Gunathilake, P. Newton, K.D.S. Kumara, Pushpakumara and Bandara. Rohitha Perera is one of the new members of the Navy team.

In addition to the Navy, many Sri Lanka sailors in the calibre of Joseph Kenny, Mohan Balasuriya, Asita Tennakoon, Chandima Goonewardene, Jeremy Biolling and Anil Goonewardene are expected to give stiff competition. There are also many foreign participants from different countries vying for the honours. Some of them are Hans Swendsen, David Blackler, Per Swendsen, Mike Thomson. At the conclusion of the regatta the Association will pick a pool of sailors to prepare for the Asian regatta to be held next year and Asian Games 2002.Nandana Tuduwawatte heads the race committee whilst Ananda Wimaladharma will be the officer of the day.

Royal to tour Bangkok

Royal who finished as runners-up in the Milo Inter-Schools Football Division Two Tournament have been rewarded with a trip to Bangkok.

They will play several matches against school teams in Bangkok.

The Principal of Royal H.L.B. Gomes will go as Chef-de-Mission accompanied by M.H.M. Farook, H.D.R. Hemachandra and K.R. Sugathadasa

Saracens on winning spree

Saracens CC Kandy, who have been on a winning spree, scored two more victories in the Division 3 Tournament. The matches were played at Peradeniya.

For good measure, the team has also entered the semi-finals of Kandy's main tournament, the Singer Trophy.

Half centuries by Madusanka Damakage and Lalinda Samaradivakara enabled the Saracens to run up a massive 283 against the Prisons who were then bowled out for only 76 runs. The margin of victory was a whopping 207 runs.

Openers Chintaka Ratnayake and Dhanushka Kumara have given several good starts, while skipper Chitranath Wijeratne has made useful all round contributions. Buddhika Gunasena and Asitha Kumara have been among the wickets.

Division 3

Results;

Beat Blue Universal SC by 4 runs.

Saracens 194 in 47.2 overs.

C. Ratnayake 44, D.P. Kumara 27, U. Weerasekera 15, L. Samaradivakara 20, M. Damakage 25, N. Prageeth 3 for 28, A. Elvitigala 3 for 46.

Blue Universal 190 in 50 overs.

A. Elvitigala 30, Prageeth 32, R. Nishantha 22, A. Khan 12, B. Prasad 14, P. Vithanage 13, B. Gunasena 2 for 25, M. Damakage 2 for 17.

Beat Galagedera CC by 86 runs.

Saracens 178 in 44 overs (D.P. Kumara 40, C. Ratnayake 15, C. Wijeratne 35, M. Damakage 13, M. Rizvi 25, C. Beligala 12, M. Shihan 4 for 35, M. Rinoos 3 for10).

Galagedera 92 in 37.3 overs.

A. Prasanna 25, M. Shihan 10, M. Rinoos 10, M. Rizvi 3 for 15, C. Wijeratne 3 for 17.

Singer Trophy Quarter Final

Saracens 283 in 45 overs.

C. Ratnayake 45, D.P. Kumara 33, C. Wijeratne 27, M. Damakage 50, L. Samaradivakara 51 retired, B. Gunasena 19 not out, D. Wijekoon 11, C.N. Dissanaike 3 for 25, S. Amunugama 2 - 52, D. Manjula 2 - 54.

Prisons 76 in 25.3 overs.

N. Gunasekera 12, P. Chandrasiri 10, B. Gunasena 2 for 13, A.S. Kumara 3 for 10, C. Beligala 1 for 3, C. Kumara 1 - 9, M. Damakage 1 for 10. - AK

Lanka beat Pakistan

India beat Pakistan 47-23 in the inaugural Tri-Nation Men's Netball encounter at the Peradeniya University Courts last evening.

Today's matches between Sri Lanka and India scheduled to be played at the Getambe Grounds has been shifted to the Peradeniya University Courts with the finals fixed for Tuesday (December 19) at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium at 4.30 p.m.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 38 goals to 13 with goal shoot Roshan Gunasekera being in top form. The Sri Lankans led the four quarters 11-3, 8-2, 12-4 and 7-4.

Old Rajans win Olcott Shield

Old Rajans led by D.D.P. Alwis emerged winners of the Col. Henry Steele Olcott shield offered by the Olcott Sports Foundation at the second limited overs cricket tournament of the Old Boys of former BTS schools worked out at the Ambalangoda Esplande on the December 9 and 10.

Eighty four qualify for chess finals

Eighty four players were picked in the age groups for boys and girls under 8,10,12,14, 16, 18 and 20 from the four provinces of Western, Central, Southern and Sabaragamuwa and they will compete in the chess finals at the Russian Centre Auditorium, from December 18-20.

The qualifiers in the different age groups are:-

Boys Under 20 - Nissanga Anup Perera (Colombo Chess Club), Chamil Thanthrimudalige (St. Joseph's), Shiraz Liyakath (St. Sylvester's), Salinda Wijeratne (Kandy), A.P.S. de Vaz (Southern Chess Club), K. Akila Miraj (Devapathiraj).

Under 18 - Kaushika de Silva (President College), A.A.B. Dimuthu Priyadarshana (President's College), Dinesh K. Yapa (Vidyartha), C.H.B. Herath (St. Sylvester's), W.M.A.P. Muhandiram (Buddhajayanthi MV Balangoda), M.K. Athula Rasel (NF 3 Chess Club).

Under 16 - P.R. Dissanayake (Royal), Thilina Maduranga (Chess Club Colombo), Manoj Asanka Jayasinghe (Vidyartha), Upul. P. Pallekumbura (Dharmarajah), K.K.G.G.C. Amarasinghe (New Town Prince College), Thilina Weerasinghe (Richmond).

Under 14 - Jude Ranga Samarasinghe (Isipatana), Ashoka de Silva (Colombo Chess Club), A.D.S. Samarasinghe (Trinity), J.L. Somaratne (Trinity), N.L.D.L. Liyanage (Buddhajayanthi MV Balangoda), Y. Chamal Priyankara (Devapathiraja).

Under 12 - B.H. Chatura Tharanga (D.S. Senanayake), S.B. Hemanthage (Horana Sripali Vidyalaya), D.I.S. Siriwardena (Dharmaraja), Y.D.B. Madugalle (Dharmaraja), M. Rimaz (Buddhajayanthi MV Balangoda), Lahiru Vidyaratne (Dharmasoka).

Under 10 - W.D. Ruchira Samidha (Colombo Chess Club), Mohammed Rameez Masran (Isipatana), C.M. Rajapaksa (Dharmaraja), A.U. Hettiarachchi (Kingswood), M.L.D.C. Bandara (Buddhajayanthi MV Balangoda), D.M. Piumi Maheshika (Southland Galle).

Under 8 - Naveen Alwis (Isipatana), Pasan Liyanapathirana (Thiharaya Suppi Pre School), Nadeera D. Karandana Arachchi (Dharmaraja), Chamika Perera (Trinity), U.K Manura Chandula (Richmond), M.D.D.G. Senanayake (Mahinda).

Girls Under 20 - Samindi Malalgoda (Devi Balika), W.M.A. Priya Fernando (Newstead Girls School), Sashikala Bowathura and Chathurika Liyanage (Girls High School Kandy), M.K.D. Weerasinghe (Buddhajayanthi MV Balangoda), L. Thilini Vidyaratne (Dharmasoka).

Under 18 - Siyana Habeeba Samsudeen (Buddhist Ladies School), Dela Manikkam (Bishop's), Chandra Ratnayake and Sanjeewani Amiyangoda (Girl's High School Kandy), K.G.D. Samanmalee (Buddhajayanthi MV Balangoda), R.G. Niluka Lakmali (Sangamittha Galle).

Under 16 - Tikiri Thotamune (Musaeus), Zainab Ishark (Bishop's), Abisheka Tennakoon and Anuradha Koswatta (Girls High School Kandy), B.A.K.W. Rupasinghe (Buddhajayanthi MV Balangoda), Nadeesha Shammi (Dharmasoka).

Under 14 - Vindya Dinushani Vasala (Devi Balika), A.G. Dilini Rasangi (Rathnavali Balika MV Borella), Samanthi Weerasinghe (Mahamaya Kandy), C. Ranasinghe (Girl's High School Kandy), Sandamali Wickremasinghe (Buddhajayanthi MV Balangoda), Kalhari Gamage (Southland Galle).

Under 12 - W.A. Maneesha Sathruwani Perera (Rathnawali BMV), Rishani Dissanayake (Musaeus), Thilini Koswatta and Madushani Indunil (Viharmaha Devi MV Kandy), K.C. Galapathhi (Buddhajayanthi MV Balangoda), D.M. Piumi Maheshika (Southland Galle).

Under 10 - Udani Vindya Hemanthage (Thakshila MV Horana), Dilini Tillekaratne (Holy Family Convent Wennappuwa), S.W. Amarasinghe (Mahamaya Kandy), Nimali Anupma (Vihara Maha Devi Kandy), D.D. Galapaththi (Buddhajayanthi MV Balangoda), D.V. Nadeesha (Sangamittha Galle).

Under 8 - M. Mudubashini Perera (Holy Cross Gampaha), Sachini Dinushima Ranasinghe (Musaeus), Sachini Pathirana (Mahamaya Primary Kandy), Deshini Rajakaruni (Buddhajayanthi MV Balangoda), J.C. Lokunarangoda (Sangamittha Galle).

Two wins for Royal

By Bruce Maurice

Royal's under 15 cagers scored two victories in the All Island Under 15 basketball Championships continued at Royal College Grounds last evening. They first beat their arch rivals from Mount Lavinia and then downed yesterday's giant killers Maliyadeva College.

However, the Devans had some consolation when they had the better of Ananda in a very close game.

Results:

S.T. C. beat Ananda 57-41. D. De Silva 16 and L. Gunawardena 21 scored for STC . For Ananda the top scorer was A. Mahanama with 20.

Royal beat STC 66-53.

Return to Sports Contents