14th January 2001
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Mirror Magazine
Love for life is a solace for others
Believe it or not if you have faith in your self and stand by others in their hour of need, then their prayers will be answered.This is what Australia's front-line fast bowler, Glenn McGrath, has to say, about his partnership with Jane - 'love for life' - how they came trumps up despite Jane suffering from an insidious-Breast Cancer. This is the heart-rending saga between an internationally famed sportsman, who most of the time is away from home due to national duty and a girlfriend suffering from a dreadful disease. This is an example for other couples to believe in Faith and stand by their better half with loving kindness despite trials and tribulations.
Glenn McGrath, the affable fast bowler was met in Sri Lanka along with Mark Waugh and Down Under is a humanitarian off the field despite his exploits on the field with the red cherry. Today he is the mainspring of the Aussie pace attack. He skinned the hapless Windies batsmen to reap a rich harvest in the recent Test series. His love life with Jane started in HongKong when they met at the International Sixe's in a HongKong bar. Jane was working as a air hostess in the Virgin Airlines
Every Rose despite its beauty has its thorns. Glenn's and Jane's partnership blossomed out to be a loving one. She moved to Australia, where Glenn has a reputation of such magnitude which she was unaware.
But a pall of gloom, befell in 1997 on the Ashes tour when Jane discovered a lump in her breast. it was confirmed on return to Australia and her future in tatters. A mastectomy was advised to save her life. It was a painful decision she had to make. An offer was made by her to leave Glenn and leave home for England. But Glenn rejected and decided to be with her to the last breath. Glenn's sincerity, his faith, virtues decorated his life but not money and fame. It was a happy ending when Jane successfully overcame the operation with a clean sheet. She was warned that she will not be able to have children after the tretment. Believe it or not she had faith in her and gave birth to a baby James at the start of the millennium. This is a source of encouragement for other couples afflicted with the disease. This book 'Jane and Glenn' - love for life', gives a true picture of a couple who had to face setbacks when one partner is suffering from a dreaded disease.
Part of the proceeds of this book will also go to the McGrath Breast
Cancer Foundation. Glenn had the human values and was not unduly worried
what beset to his wife But had the courage to withstand it with long lasting
love. B.W.
Rover Pinpoints....
Brisk convassing
A likely candidate seeking election to the Cricket Board, has started his canvassing already and approached the Colombo District Cricket Association and had pointed out that the battle is between him and so-and-so in a direct contest and has requested them to vote for him.Survying on a life jacket?
The NAASU is surviving on a life jacket even before its term comes to an end. They were instrumental in putting two leading female swimmers and their parents at loggerheads which resulted in action being taken to courts. Now the ball has been thrown to the courts of the Sports Ministry to resolve the matter. NAASU is to be blamed because they did not specify the event from which the female swimmer would have qualified for the Olympics as a result of which these problems cropped up. Rover learns that NAASU is to be dissolved but pleadings by some officials stopped this from happening.Now they have put themselves in another pickle with regard to the calling of nominations for the selection of a National Swim Coach.
Cars as gifts
Rover learns that an official very close to the minister has been provided with a new car for his unstinted support, requiring a certain person to get the nod to contest the oncoming elections of the Cricket Board. Could this be true?Another bar?
The AAA Headquarters at its second official opening ceremony, did the honours with a difference: the opening of a bar! One wonders who owns this and how the licence was obtained and how many bars does this individual own? Many were in high spirits merrymaking till the clock chimed 12. They left the place in a stagger. One wonders from where the money came to obtain new furniture as well.The cat is out
Rover learns that two other senior cricketers were approached in India to join the bandwagon of match fixers while being invited to play in an exhibition match. They flatly refused and when told that two others were amongst them, this duo wanted to know who and then they would join.No revelations were done, but when presisted, they were told who the match fixers and they flatly refused. Rover also learns that a wicket-keeper who scored well in a match in India was blasted by the then captain on his return to the pavilion. This wicket-keeper now knows why he was scolded.
What's happening?
What's happening to the match fixing report? Will it be swept under the carpet or will certain revelations come to light. A higher up of the Cricket Board was optimistic and spelled it out to a leading coach about the match fixing scandal.No room for you?
A referee from the hills wanted to share a room at a leading hotel, during a tournament played here, but the official from whom this request was made said, "What nonsense, my wife and child are sharing the room, you will have to look elsewhere".What a shame it was?
The Under-19 Rugby Asia took place in Colombo, and it was a disgrace to note that spectator turnout was very low with only a handful being present. That too was due to the interest taken by officials from the Sabaragamuwa Province bringing students from Balangoda and Godakawella.Surely free tickets could have been given to students and they would have come in hoardes to cheer their schoolboy heroes.
Why this hurry?
The annual general meetingof the National Olympic Committee is scheduled to take place in June, but Rover learns that it has been discussed to hold the AGM in March, with the hope of getting the present officials of the controlling bodies to pick on their old brigade. Much thought has been given to this move as they know that the present officials will have a tough task in getting elected otherwise.The present set of officials,according to Rover, want to be elected
by hook or by crook. How low can one stoop!
M. Chelliah Bridge Player of the Year 2000
M. Chelliah won the bridge Player of the Year award with T. Shanmugalingam first runner-up and K.P. Baskaran as second runner-up and their awards were made on Poya day at the Bridge Federation Headquarters at Reid Avenue.The year 2000 awards ceremony was held on a grand scale with C.P. de Silva of Lanka Orix Limited as chief guest.
The respective winners and runners-up in the different tournaments are:
Individual event sponsored by N. Saravanapavanathan, T. Shanmugalingam, Wathsala Ganeshan, Dr. Rose Peiris.
Open Pairs event sponsored by Asia Apparel (Pvt.) Limited, Fainza Marcan Marker/Dr. Dilanjan Soysa, Cera Fernando/Suren Jebasunderam.
Open Pairs sponsored by M. Ganeshan. Dr. Rose Peiris/Anton Selvanayagam, D.P. Senaweera/Dilanjan Soysa.
Open Pairs sponsored by W.A.P. Fernando - D.P. Senaweera/Fritsz Perera, Sri Hari Saravanapavan/M. Chelliah.
Open teams event sponsored by F.P. de Alwis.
Chelliah's team - M. Chelliah, Dr. Dilanjan Soysa, Anton Selvanayagam, Sri Hari Saravanapavan, Dr. Rose Peiris, M.P. Salgado, Bandulla team - D. P. Senaweera, Keerthisena, Paul de Niese, Ashantha de Mel, Podi Singham.
Open Pairs mixed sponsored by Mahen Jayatilleka - Dr. Rose Peiris/Anton Selvanayagam, Malini Wijeratne/S. Thillainadarajah.
Open pairs buttler method sponsored by N.D. Karunatilleka - Dr. Rose Peiris/Anton Selvanayagam, Ashantha de Mel/K.P. Baskaran.
Open pairs handicap - Sponsored by Cera Fernando. Dr. Rose Peiris/Anton Selvanayagam, H.A. Weerasuriya/S. Thillainadarajah.
Mixed pairs team event sponsored by Kamini de Silva - Chelliah's team - M. Chelliah, Sri Hari Saravanapavan, Dr. Rose Peiris and Anton Selvanayagam.
Shan's team sponsored by Careem Jewellers - Cera Fernando, T. Shanmugalingam, Shanthi Rasiah and H.A. Weerasuriya.
Ladies' teams sponsored by Careem Jewellers.
Malini's team - Malini Wijeratne, Neela de Silva, Mona & Gillian Ratnayake, Sri Hari Saravanapavan, Dr. Rose Peiris, Champa & Glory Arasakumar.
Team event restricted sponsored D.P. Senaweera.
Chelliah's team - M. Chelliah, Sri Hari Saravanapavan, Asanka Amarasinghe, Nirosh de Silva.
Open Pairs event Presidents Cup sponsored by Asoka Jayasinghe - H.A. Weerasuriya/S. Thillainadarajah, T. Shamugalingam/W.W. Bandularatne.
Sri Lankan Youth Team & Middle East Junior/Youth for Asian Championship
Bridge Federation of Sri Lanka proposes to send a team of youth (below 25 years of age) on 01.01.2001 comprising six players for the above championships.
In order to select a team of six players, Bridge Federation is arranging a coaching programme at its headquarters at Reid Avenue, Colombo 7.
The training classes will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. and will be free of charge. Classes will be open to beginners as well, irrespective of age.
Those interested should contact Mr. M. Chelliah on Telephone: 502623 or the Hony. Secretary, B.F.S.L. Mrs. Sri Hari Saravanapavan on Telephone 573797 and register their names.
Aasiri Iddamalgoda Davis Cup Non-Playing Captain
Former National Champion and Davis Cup player Aasiri Iddamalgoda has been nominated by the national selection committee as non-playing captain of Sri Lanka's Davis Cup team. Iddamalgoda at age 26, is the youngest Davis Cup non- playing captain of a Sri Lankan tennis team. He is employed at Eagle Insurance Company. Sri Lanka will participate in Group 3 of the Asia Oceania tie which will be held in Manila from February 5th to 11th, 2001. The tie will be played on the Outdoor Hard Court Surface.
The Davis Cup pool has been pruned down to 5 players. According to SLTA sources the final squad would be 3 or 4 players excluding the non-playing captain Aasiri Iddamalgoda. The players under training are Renouk Wijemanne, Dinuka Ranaweera, Charmara Wijesinghe, Ganendran Subramaniam and Upendra Walgampaya. Iddamalgoda's nomination has however, to be approved by the Ministry of Sports.
Sri Lanka has been included into Group A with Philippines, Baharain and Singapore, while Group B includes Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Qatar. The event will be initially conducted on a round robin basis and thereafter on a knockout basis. The two highest placed nations are promoted to Group 2, while the last two nations will be demoted to Group 4.
Chess Champions
The finalists have been selected from the different age groups in the All Island chess championships conducted by the Anatoly Karpov Chess Club at its tournament held at the Russian Auditorium.
The qualifiers in their age groups are.
Boys under 8-Nadeera Karandana Arachchi, Chmika Perera. Under 10 -C.M.Rajapaksa, A.U. Hettiarachchi. Under 12 - D.I.S. Siriwardena, Y.D.B. Madugalle. Under 14 - A.D.S. Samarasekera, J.I. Somarathne. Under 16 - Nanoj Asanka Jayasinghe, Upul Pallekumbura. Under 18 - Dinesh. K. Yapa, C.M.B.Herath. Under 20 - Shiraz Liyakath, Sakinda Wijeratne.
GirlsUnder 8 - Sachini Pathirana, Deshani Rajakaruna.Under 10 - S.W.
Amarasinghe, Nimali Anupama. Under 12 - Thilini Koswatta, Madushani Indunil.
Under 14 - Samanthi Wettasinghe, C. Ranasinghe. Under 16 - Abisheka Tennakoon,
Anuradha Koswatta. Under 18 - Chandra Ratnayake, Sanjeewani Amiyandoda.
Under 20 - Sashikala Bowatura, Chaturika Liyanage.
Hewitt beats Norman to win in Sydney
I've been getting better and better with each match that I've played over the last two weeks and it's nice to cap it off with a tournament win," Hewitt said.Australian teenager Lleyton Hewitt successfully defended his Sydney international title by beating Swedish top seed Magnus Norman 6-4 6-1, in yesterday's final.
Hewitt became the first man since Pete Sampras in 1993-94 to win back-to-back titles in Sydney with a comprehensive victory over the world number four in just 84 minutes to confirm as one of the favourites for next week's Australian Open.
"I've been getting better and better with each match that I've played over the last two weeks and it's nice to cap it off with a tournament win," Hewitt said.
"I felt like I'm really starting to hit the ball well and I think I can take a lot of confidence about beating a guy ranked number four in the world going into the Australian Open."
Hewitt, 19, broke Norman for the first time in the 10th game with a sizzling forehand winner to take the first set in 51 minutes, then raced to a 5-0 lead in the second. Norman, showing signs of tiredness after his gruelling semifinal with Jonas Bjorkman the previous day, rallied to hold serve for 1-5 and even had a break point in the next game but failed to convert his last chance as Hewitt captured his seventh career title.
"My legs weren't moving very good today but I feel like my game is coming
together even though I lost," the Swede said. (Reuters)
No major changes at Kandy SC
There was some shuffling around, but there were no major changes in the line up after last Sundays Annual General Meeting of Kandy Sports Club. The venue was the club house at Nittawela.In a magnanimous gesture, the previous Treasurer, Deva Amunugama proposed the name of Palitha Amarasinghe as his successor.
Malath Fernando retains the key post of secretary while Sri Lankan rugby stalwart of the 1950s, Dharmasiri Madugalle becomes the senior vice president.
Maurice Pereira and Priyantha Ekanayake are the vice presidents. A former coach of Kandy SC Alex Lazarus is the new manager of the team.
Committee
Deva Amunugama, Leslie de Soyza, Anura Eriyagama, Sanjeeva Hulangamuwa, Maurice Joachim, Izwan Omar, Janaka Pathirana, Sarath Perera, Mahes Weerasinghe, Lasantha Wijesooriya.
A.K.
St. Joseph's look set for easy win
A good allround performance by Danuka Pathirana ended St. Joseph's to be in the box seat in their inter school cricket encounter against St. Benedict's at Darley Road.The Kotahena lads who batted first were bowled out for 134, with only two of their batsmen entering double figures, M. Perera 41 and M. Ajman 36, while Danuka Pathirana bowled best capturing 4 for 18.
The Joes in rely were 206 for 5 with good knocks by Danuka Pathirana 73, D. Morrel 34 and S. Perera 38.
Scores:
St. Benedict's 134 all out.
St. Joseph's 206 for 5 (A. Ramachandra 3 for 34)
Royal in command Two good partnerships one for the third wicket and the other for the fourth wicket enabled Royal to total 261 for 8 declared and had St. Anthony's in a spot capturing 5 of their wicket for 52 runs at Katugastota.
Royal's total revolved around Malidu Thotuwilage who top scored with 88 inclusive of 11 fours putting on 85 for the third wicket with Kaniskha Edirisuriya 37 and 61 for the fourth wicket with Andrew Perera 29.
The Anthonians were badly placed along 5 wickets for 52 runs with Chaminda Widanapathirana claiming 2 for 9.
Scores:
Royal 261 for 8 declared in 73.1 overs.
(Dhanuskha Perera 38, Kaniskha Edurisuriya 37, Malindu Totuwilage 83, Andrew Perera 29, Menuka Keeniwinna 15 not out, Amila Kariyakarawana 16, Priyantha Ekanayaka 2/27, Ashan Ariyaratne 3/35, Sajith Pinnaduwa 2/9)
Wesely in a spot
Wesley were bowled out for 192 and in reply Trinity were 70 for the loss of 1 wicket at the Asgiriya Stadium.Sajeewa Samarasinghe top scored for the Campbell Park lads with 63 comprising 2 sixes and 6 fours and was involved in a fourth wicket partnership of 61 with Rienzie Senadeera 21.
Trinity were 70 for 1 in 23 overs.
Scores:
Wesely - 192 all out in 63.1 overs
(Andrew Tousaint 29, Sajeewa Samarasinghe 68, S. Senadheera 21, S. Fernando 13, N. Samith 10, M. Rajaratne 3/39, Cheruka Weerakoon 2/50, Randhil Gamage 2/40)
Trinity - 70 for 1 in 20.2 overs.
Roshan Fernando 19 not out, Mahes Rajaratne 33 not out.
In strong position
Prince of Wales batting first totalled 317 for 8 and had Ananda 45 for 3 at the close at Moratuwa.
Shahan Galapathy 68 top scored for the Moratuwa lads while their eight pair of A. Athukorale and Shanuka Cooray boosted their innings with 94 runs.
Scores:
Prince of Wales - 317 for 8 declared.
(Shahan Galapathy 64, S. Perumpili 40, A. Athokorale 46, Manjula Bandara 33, Shanuka Cooray 40 not out, B. Dananjaya 28, Yohan Wickremage 3/69, Thilina Kandamby 3/48, Lahiru Senaratne 2/71)
Ananda 43 for 3.
Yohan Wickremage 16, D. Kularatne 14.
Even exchanges
The inter school cricket match between St. Peter's and St. Peter's the draw card of this week looks like ending in stalemate at Bambalapitiya.Batting first the Bambalapitiya lads totalled 243 for 8, before declaring with two half centuries by Kaushal Lokuarachchi 55 and Johannes Jayasuriya 69 and in reply the Moratuwa lads loss one wicket for 27.
Scores:
St. Peter's 243 for 8 declared.
(Johannes Jayasuriya 69, Kaushal Lokuarachchi 55, M. Perera 30, D. Fernando 3/45, M. Silva 2/65, L. Fernando 2/42)
St. Sebastian's 27 for 1.
Evenly poised
D.S. Senayake hit up 256 for 9 and in reply Isipatana were 23 for 1 at Wijerama Mawatha.Scores:
D.S. Senanayake - 256 for 9 declared.
(M. Silva 39, K. Gunawardena 36, I. Abeywickrema 64, U. Warna 32 not out, S. Perera 2/42, O. Alawangodagedera 2/63, M. Abeyaratne 2/22)
Thurstan hit up 289/9.
Thurstan batted the whole day to pile 289 for 9 against Nalanda at Campbell Place.Two half centuries by D. Indika 71 and A. Randika 51 held the Thurstan batting together.
Scores:
Thurstan - 289 for 9 declared.
(D. Indika 71, A. Randika 51, B. Premadasa 33, A. Chaminda 37, G. Chandrakumara 2/25, M. Irrupperuma 3/66)
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