Lanka to host Asian Netball C'ships here

By Annesley Ferreira

Sri Lanka won the bid to host the fifth Asian Netball Championships in July next year. The decision was taken last week at its annual general meeting.

Tamara Dharmakeerthi Herath, President of the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka was Sri Lanka's representative at this meeting. Speaking to the Sunday Times, she said that she had the blessings of the Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriella to go ahead with its bid and he promised all support towards the staging of this event in Colombo.

Sri Lanka, the defending champions, will host this championship with Thailand, the newly affiliated member will probably be joined by Taiwan, Japan and China, thus making it 12 countries who will vie for honours.

The other affiliated countries are: Hong Kong, Maldives, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan, India and Australia.

The Asian Championship has been brought forward from the original dates as the champions will automatically qualify to take part in the Commonwealth Games to be held in Manchester in 2002.

Meanwhile the Sunday Times learns that the Australian Netball Federation wants to nominate Tamara to contest for the post of President in the World Netball Federation from the Asian Region as her dedication to the promotion of the sport is remarkable. This nomination is to be seconded by Singapore.

So far Tamara has not agreed, but if she does and gets elected to this prestigious post, she will become the first lady and the second Sri Lankan to head the world body. The first was Frouse Saheed of the World Billiards and Snooker Association.

Meanwhile the Sunday Times also learns though Tamara has been offered to continue as the President of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation, she has decided to step down and allow another to be elected. She however stated that she will support the sport and give all assistance towards its betterment.

Nawaloka Group Metropolitan final on December 30

By Bruce Maurice

Nawaloka Group qualified to meet Metropolitan Group in the Mercantile B Division final fixed for next Saturday (December 30) at the MCA Grounds.

In the two semi-finals played yesterday, Nawaloka Group beat Seylan Bank by 7 wickets and Metropolitan Group beat Habib Bank by 113 runs.

At the MCA Grounds, Metropolitan Group scored 232 for 9 in their 50 overs with two half centuries scored by P. Ranga (55) and I. Priyantha (56 n.o) while Habib Bank were bowled out for 119 with Sadeep Silva capturing 5 for 21.

At the Health Grounds, Castle Street, Nawaloka Group bundled out Seylan Bank for 87 with T. Narangoda claiming 5 for 9 and scored the required runs for victory losing three wickets.

Scores

At the MCA Grounds

Metropolitan Group - 232 for 9 (P. Rangana 55, G. Perera 25, S. Liyanage 26, I. Priyantha 56, N.O.R. Fleming 14; N. Zubaideen 2 for 50, T.F. Samath 3 for 31)

Habib Bank - 119 (N. Zubaideen 25, Trio Fernando 15, R. Hussain 12, M. Rizwan 13, M. Ariff 14; Shadeep Silva 5 for 21, S. Wimalawickrema 2 for 15)

At the Health Grounds

Seylan Bank - 87 (Indika Silva 19; P. Jayashantha 2 for 12, T. Narangoda 5 for 9)

Nawaloka Group - 93 for 3 (T. Kodikara 28 n.o, Indika de Saram 20, D. Sanjaya 16, S. Jayawardena 13; ImranThahir 3 for 27)

Premier League cricket

Eighteen teams will battle it out for supremacy in two groups for the Premier League cricket tournament conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka.

The tournament will get under way on January 5, 6 and 7 with eight matches down for decision.

Navy and Air Force have been included in the tournament. The two groupings are as follows: Group A - Colts, CCC, BRC, Kurunegala YCC, Galle, Police, Bloom- field, Matara and Air Force.

Group B- SSC, Tamil Union, Sebastianites, Moors, NCC, Panadura, Antonians , Singha SC and Navy.

Car seized?

It is three weeks since a car was seized by the customs from the premises of the Cricket Board at Maitland Place. This car Rover learns belonged to a big shot in the Cricket Board which was sold to him by a leading cricketer. Rover also learns, that the officers were told to hush up without making a fuss and to remove the car through the club exit.

Not paid yet?

The affiliated clubs to the Cricket Board have not yet received their monies, inspite of the Minister of Sports and his Director giving instructions to do so.

Were any files held up?

Rover learns that all the files pertaining to the TV deal signed by the Cricket Board have not been forwarded to the AG's Department, since the clearance. It is in the air that an inquiry will be called for.

No level at all?

Rover learns that persons with no interest whatsoever in swimming had attended the solidarity course for the level 2, when they had not participated in the level 1. How come?

Regardless?

How is it that the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association has been holding this post for the last 15 years. Is there nobody capable to take over or are they not having any one to step into his shoes?

Abeygunewardena to coach Kandy SC

Former Sri Lanka's ace scrum-half Chandana P.Abeygunewardena, will coach Kandy SC rugby team in preparation for the coming rugby season.

Abeygunewardena, played for Royal, CR&FC and led the National team. A keen student of the game C.P. has a storehouse of knowledge and a fine reader of the game. He coached the Royal and CR&FC teams with much success.

A firm disciplinarian with a 'no nonsense' approach C.P means business in whatever he does. He calls a spade a spade and no one is indispensable. But believes in total commitment by all and sundry.

The youngsters in the Hill Capital Club are sure to benefit from his know-how and communication on and off the field.

A senior official of Kandy SC when contacted by The Sunday Times, confirmed that Abeygunewardena has been appointed as coach. He will be stationed in Kandy permanently (B.W)

Royal Panadura bag under 13 title

Royal Panadura bagged the under 13 Division III Group A title defeating Gamini College, Bentota in their Inter-school cricket match played at the D.S. Senanayake Grounds at Wijerama Mawatha yesterday.

Batting first Gamini College scored 137 in 43 overs while Royal Panadura helped by a helf century by K. Lakshan scored 138 for 7 in 47.3 overs.

Gamini College - 137 in 43 overs (D. Jayatilleke 38, C. Baddawuthana 23, C. Lenora 13; K. Lakshan 2 for 23, I. Priyantha 2 for 39)

Royal Panadura - 138 for 7 in 47.3 overs (K. Lakshan 51, D. Devinda 20, D. Lakruwan 20; S. Badde-withana 4 for 22, Aruna Madushanka 2 for 24) - BM

Umpires must act without fear

By Bernie Wijesekera

The umpires' lot has been improved off the field, thanks to Minister of Sports Lakshman Kiriella, who was the President of the Association of Cricket Umpires Sri Lanka until he relinquished office after assuming office as Minister of Sports.

Kiriella was accorded a farewell by the umpires and the scorers at their headquarters recently. Former Warden of S. Thomas' Neville de Alwis, was unanimously elected President to serve for the remaining period until the next AGM.

In the past the umpires' lot was neglected until Kiriella took over the reins. Of course one must not forget the services rendered by one of its past Presidents Upali Mahanama, who did much for its uplift. But to Kiriella's credit he used his good offices for further upliftment for the men in the white coat to live with dignity off the field.

Mr. Kiriella, who addressed the gathering said, it was a privilege for him to have been associated with the ACUSL and enjoyed their company. The umpires play a key role for the development of the sport along with the cricketers to reach greater heights. Their living conditions off the field have to be improved so that they could live with dignity. "I am an ardent cricket fan and believed it's still a gentleman's game and its traditions must be maintained at all cost. Today it's a professional game with big money at stake. In the process it has been tarnished in some quarters due to worries and a negative state of mind, caused by selfish desires.

During my tenure I have instilled among the rank and file to act without fear or favour and not succumb to outside pressures.

Umpires do make human errors, but certainly they are not cheats. But if it happens then they will be disgracing themselves'. This was the first lesson given by Kiriella, when he took office. Forget about the lapse and start again. But don't try to balance with another dubious decision. But apperently it may have happened in some quarters. Then their image is going to suffer internationally. Ironically some of them have been found wanting and their names are being mentioned away from home. Minister Kiriella has done the right thing by striving to put his own house in order than pinpointing a finger at others.

A man of few words, he means business and has promised them with a pension scheme in the future for the elders to live with dignity. If this becomes a reality then he has done a great community service .

Kiriella is quite aware about human problems. Even at the height of power - life is an everlasting journey of problems. He was associated with the Cricket Board President, Thilanga Sumathipala, former Sri Lanka captain 'technician' Anura Tennakoon, Ranjit Fernando, Milton Amerasinghe, Director of Sports, and others.

Finally he said, "I am no longer your President, but I will strive to help the ACUSL in their time of need for a better future".

Now it's upto the umpires with their sheer devotion and dedication to work hard to improve their levels of umpiring. It's sad apparently where some of them even go to the extent of calling players 'Sir' to be in the international panel.

Cricket Board President, Thilanga Sumathipala, who spoke next said, "that the umpires should work with harmony and should be united and work as a team.. Improve the standards. Then you gentlemen will gain international recognition", and he afforded them with more opportunities of officiating at international level, even in the sub-continent.

Sumathipala, who is a key figure in the Asian Cricket Council is sure to make a strong case for the local umpires, but they must be consistent in their decision making. He has already helped the local coaches in this aspect.

Our coaches are second to none when it comes to technique. Unlike today the past greats were never coached by foreigners. They held their own against the best in the world. Players like late M. Sathasivam, F.C. de Saram - the first to score a 100 for Oxford, against Australia led by W.M. Woodful, Laddie Outschoorn did likewise for Worcestershire against Bradman's Invincibles in 1948, Stanley Jayasinghe, Mike Tissera, Anura Tennakoon - a batting artiste though not playing Test cricket, C.I. Gunasekera, Mahes Rodrigo and many others were the products of local coaches in the past; along with 'Moratuwa mauler' Duleep Mendis, Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga.

The Sports Minister has done his best to put the umpires on course at the Race Course. Now it's up to them to work unitedly with a disciplined approach for a better future.

Sad to mention, at present cricket is being played worldwide by the cricketing nations, but none of our umpires is there to officiate any one of the Test matches. Ranjit Fernando, agreed t.. It's a sad reflection or due to a poor quality umpiring, among the locals at international level.

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