• 'Tiny Tiger' gets set to take on golf world
• Rohana to lead Kandy Youth CC
• Suranjan and Heather take Havelock Trophy 
• Wesley rout Nalanda
• Royal humble Mahanama
• Rover Pinpoints.. 
• Maris Stella finds a true warrior
• Opening of Royal College Sports Complex
• Courage and confidence through Fei Quan do
• Swanji to play in Yorkshire
• Retired Hurt, fine reading
• Cabraal heads soccer veterans
• Broad plans for Bridge, Seeding of Bridge Players
• Sharing a moment of victory with the sponsor 
• Prokarting changes into top gear at Millennium Park
• Football gets biggest boost
• Determination paves the way
• 'Star Twins' from sos Galle
• Cycle races in Matale, May 17
• Special squad a "must" for sevens rugby - Nazim
• Sri Lanka crash out of World Junior Tennis
• Jason in form again
• 18 teams for hockey sevens
• Nondescripts poised to take Premier League cricket title ?
• SLCTB, People's Bank bag TT titles
• In Brief

'Tiny Tiger' gets set to take on golf world 

By Mark Atchison 

The 7-year-old golfing phenom broke into a giggle even before the visitor had the chance to say yes. 

"Do you know why my ball goes so long ?" asked the youngster, who has been nicknamed 'Tiny Tiger' because his on course finesse matches that of another famous golfer who rose to prominence around the same age. 

"Why ?" asked the visitor. 

"Because my name is so long," Gajan responded. 

It is not just his golf ball that is going far - so is he. 

The Markham youngster has been picked to represent Canada at the 34th Annual World Junior Championships in San Diego in mid-July; the same tournament Tiger Woods won six times. 

"He's very excited about playing in the event and especially proud that it's a tournament that Tiger Woods won so many times," Gajan's father, Marimuthu (Siva), said. 

It is the second year in a row that Gajan has been selected to represent Canada at an international event. He played in the first annual US Kids World Championship at Jekyl Island, Ga., last year - he will return to that event again in 2001 - and finished second in the under-7 age group. Another Canadian, Anita Gahir of Thornill, won her division a the Kids tournament. 

Canadian golf great Ben Kern has been tutoring Gajan, who will represent this country in the under-8 age group at the San Diego event, which will be played on the famed Torrey Pines golf course. 

Gajan even has a sponsor for his trip south. Cybermation, a software development company based in Markham, where Gajan's sister Girija works and who sponsored the youngster for the US Kids tournament last year, will help pay his expenses to San Diego. 

"We went to Jekyl Island last year and it was the most exciting thing I've ever seen," Cybermation's marketing events manager, Bob Charendoff, said yesterday. 

"The kids were so intense; it was like watching David Duval versus Tiger Woods, but they complimented each other on their shots and encouraged some of the kids who were having a bad day. It's great as a company to be involved in something so positive." 

Gajan proudly showed off his new set of Accuform clubs, which he says makes him drive the ball longer - he averages about 150 yards. 

"He's grown by about 21/2 inches since last summer and needed a new set," his father said. " He is now four feet, 2 1/2 inches tall." 

To prepare for the US events, Gajan, a straight A student, has been competing in karate and plays chess to help him concentrate. However, for him Schoolwork always comes before golf. 

"His mother (Shirani) has some strict guidelines when it comes to his school-work. There's no golf until his homework is done," Gajan's father said. 

While he is excited about his travel plans for the upcoming season, Gajan, who plays out of the Angus Glen golf course, said what he is really looking forward to this summer will be to meet his other golfing hero, Jack Nicklaus. They will get together at Toronto's annual Altimira charity event. 

That is, if Tiny Tiger isn't being Canada's golf ambassador in yet another country.

Courtesy-Daily Telegraph 

Rohana to lead Kandy Youth CC

Kandy YCC for the first time will scrum down in 'A' Div. rugby, thanks to the initiative taken by Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriella, who wants more teams from the district to participate in competitive rubgy. Besides Western Province there are more schools playing rugby in the HIll Capital. The other team to play in the top division is Kandy SC.

Rohana earlier played for CR&FC and KSC, also played for Pirate Harbour a leading club in Sydney, due to the efforts of Dilip Kumar, who is the vice-Chairman of ARFU.

Rohana said, there is abundant young talent in Kandy, who needs exposure to excel in competitive rugby. KYCC will give the rural youth an opportunity to play in the top division to match their skills against seasoned campaigners. -(B.W.)

Suranjan and Heather take Havelock Trophy 

By Tita Nathanielz

Originally the competition for the Trophy was confined to mixed doubles pairing and at that time 25-30 pairs participated in a tremendously competitive encounter which ended with great fun and camaraderies at the 19th preceding the Award ceremony. 

Low hanging clouds and stifling heat spread through the entire playing area which made conditions quite oppressive. Suranjan de Silva and Heather Lourensz whipped the conditions under control. 

Heather in impossible weather was steady and accurate leaving the flamboyant and brave shots to Suranjan. 

They dovetailed superbly to reach and collect an extraordinarily good score of 48 points and also the elegant Havelock Trophy. 

Coming very close behind were 2 men who under normal circumstances had no status to collect an award. 

However with the rules changed that massive man Akbar Raza Khan and Hussein Esufally were adjudged runners-up with a great score of 47 points. 

Khan was strong and powerful particularly off the tee and with his long irons and Esufally was soft off and on the greens with rewarding accuracy. 

It was an excellent score and much deserving of accolades. 

The men only pairs continued further with the exception of Mrs. D. De Zoysa who partnered Roger Bakleman to strike an exceptionally good score of 46 points. They tied for position-3 with Mark Silva and D.M. Hettiarachchi. 

30 pairs participated with only 5 ladies joining in to add some colour to what I thought was a drab event. 

The disaster zone was studded with 3 pairs who raised hell from tee to green with occasional relief shots that brought in some respectability to their scores. 

With forenoon and afternoon play there was much supervision and administrative work to be accomplished. 

Lalith Ramanayake, the new Vice Captain of the RCGC handled the assignment with skill. 

Wesley rout Nalanda

By Saif Izzadeen

At the breather the Wesleyites led by 13-0.

Wesley made up their points through three goals, two tries and one penalty while the Nalandians responded with a solitary try in the second half.

Royal humble Mahanama

By M. Shamil Amit

This is the second occasion that Royal is winning with a big margin. At half time the score was 31-0.

Royal made up their points through six goals and two tries. Full back Zurki Hameed(two), centres Haren Kaluwindana and Rajith Jayasundara, Lakshman Dissanayake, Dilal Yusuf, Ishan Perera and Indika de Silva one each were the scores of which fly half Dev Wijewardene converted six of these.

Referee: Aruna Jayasekera.

Rover Pinpoints.. 

A former Cricket Board official with the change of winds, stands to benefit now, since the contracts of redoing the headquarters is in his wife and daughter's names hence the stories prasing certain higher ups. 

Is this true ?

Rover learns that most of the Exco members have been given contracts which are beneficial to them, How strange it looks in keeping them close. 
How crazy indeed

A press conference took place in Kandy attended by the Minister of Sports where supposed to be journalists were firing question after questions, not about the event to be conducted, but about the now dissolved Cricket Board, which amazed the Minister who had to draw a line. 
Not invited

Many faces were seen on TV, when the Interim Committee held a press conference among them were non-journalists who posed questions in Sinhala and wanted the replies in the same language. Were they hired by interested parties to distrupt the meeting ? 
Cannot stomach insults 

Who is this so called Sinhala journalist who has wanted to assault another senior journalist for highlighting the episode which involved him going on record that Sri Lanka sold the match against New Zealand in Sharjah. You may Sir your master and be loyal to him, without letting your country down. Why don't you give up journalism and take to thuggery. 
Joint effort 

Rover learns that the Ministry of Sports will play their part in the running the Asian Athletic Championships in August next year, looking after the financial side and allowing the AAA to conduct the meet. Good decision indeed. 
Tongue twisted 

On a TV show a former cricket administrator was posed with the question of those who had gone to the extent of stating that the Sri Lankan cricketers had sold the New Zealand game. He stated that its wrong to state that and he had no hold in this newspaper nor the journalist, Facts are stubborn ! The cat will be out of the bag soon. 
Another interim committee for Cricket ? 

News is going around like wildfire that the Kandy District Cricket Association will meet the same fate like its parent body, due to lack of interest shown by the officials. Earlier under HD, the Kandy district conducted six domestic tournaments. All Island under 15 , Six a Side, Double wicket, Inter schools and inter club tourneys other than the major tournament conducted by the boards due to faulty management, that has bungled the sport in the hills. 
What a shame 

The Kandy District Cricket Association tour of Queensland saw schoolboy cricketers from Colombo also being included. The question posed is whether there are no schoolboy cricketers from Kandy. over to You Mr. Minister. 

Maris Stella finds a true warrior

By Desmond Samith

They emerged runners-up in the Lemonade Trophy school cricket league championship just behind Lumbini after giving much emphasis on collective contribution rather than depending on any individual performances for their success.

But amid a collective performance it is hard to ignore the allround performance of one of their senior players, second year coloursman Hadlee Jayawardena.

Hadlee demonstrated his allround abilities in the last school cricket season as a right hand batsman and a right arm off-spinner. He proved himself a dependable middle order batsman who was capable of quick run making and was a captain's trump card as a wicket taking bowler for his side. 

He bowled well with accuracy, variation and penetration dislodging well set batsmen when it mattered the most.

There were many occasions when Hadlee stood between his opponents. He scored 720 runs with an average of 43.32 in 19 innings. It included three unbeaten innings. He made a highest 123 against De Mazenod College, scored 102 against President's College and cracked an unbeaten 90 against St. Peter's College. 

Hadlee took 65 wickets with a best 6 for 62 against De Mazenod College. His other valuable peformances were 5 for 58 against Lumbini and 5 for 48 against Dharmashoka. He took five wickets in an innings five times and had a match bag of 10 wickets against De Mazenod College where he single handedly turned the tables. 

He is also a very good fielder with a safe pair of hands. He is agile in the field and also possesses accurate throwing prowess from the deep. 

Maris Stella won three matches in which Hadlee captured seven wickets or more in each of the matches. His colleagues, master-in-charge and coach are proud of his abilities and speak high of his contribution to their success story. 

Opening of Royal College Sports Complex

A project of the Royal College Union, this fully equipped Sports Complex located in Central Colombo off Independence Avenue, was built over a period of 2 years at a cost of approximately 65 million rupees. Funded by the old boys of Royal living both here and abroad and by the present boys, the project also received substantial support from the Corporate Sector, in the form of commercial advertising and sponsorships.

Royal will be playing all their home rugby games at this venue, including the Colombo leg of the Bradby Shield on 7th July. The rugby ground is flanked by a stadium with seating capacity for over 2,000 spectators. The playing field is now upgraded with a drainage system and re-turfed to rank among the best in Colombo. Football will be played at this venue during the off season.

The Indoor Sports Complex is based on international specifications and caters to Badminton with 5 courts, Squash with 2 courts and a multi-purpose hall will house a Basketball court and provide facilities for all indoor sports including Boxing, Wrestling and Table Tennis. 

A Sports Room caters for other indoor games including Chess, a modern gymnasium for members and a junior gymnasium for schoolboys completes the wide-ranging facilities available. 

A restaurant will be opened shortly. Already 300 Founder Life Members have enrolled and this list will close on 31st May 2001.

The traditional rugby fixture between the old Royalists and old Trinitians will kick-off the proceedings after the ceremonial opening.

Courage and confidence through Fei Quan do

Assisted by his sons Black belt M. Nuzry Khalid and brown belt M. Nuzky Khalid and senior instructors. This is the third such campaign organised by Fei Quan Do International. Several senior Fei Quan do Kas will lecture and demonstrate.

The self-defence and health through martial arts programme will start off firstly in the Fei Quan do training centres in Colombo followed by outstations. Ladies, gents and children are advised to join this programme to enhance their fitness, heath and courage at the following centres MICH 115 Dematagoda, CIS Rohini Rd., Col. 6, St Joseph's College Sports Complex Cum Auditorium, Maradana, Amal International, Minhal International Boys' School, National Academy Kotahena etc., any weekday-evenings.

Grandmaster M. Hassen Khalid with 30 years experience in martial arts who was the chief karate Instructor to the Sri Lanka reserve police in the mid seventies is of the view that in today's world due to the rising crime wave every man, woman and child should be made aware of the benefits of learning self-defence to safeguard themselves, their families and property from the undesirable criminal elements in society.

The Fei Quan do International while specialising in martial arts, also coaches swimming for a large number of International Schools at Wellawatte and Maradana Coached by expert Swimming Instructors, led by Mr. A.J. Thaha, Assisted by team of Swimming Coaches.

Swanji to play in Yorkshire

Madanayake, an old boy of Kingswood Kandy led the team with much success. As a wily left-arm' leggie' he proved an instant success whilst playing as a schoolboy for his home town club, kandy Youth CC in the Premier League, before he crossed over to BRC. 

Todate he has a rich haul of 231 wickets with his crafty bowling. He has had a best effort of 5 for 40 against the SSC for BRC played at Havelock Park. He was drafted to the National 'A' Pool. 

Besides his bowling, he's a stubborn middle-order left-handed batsman - with two 100s and eight 50s to his credit. 

The 1997-'98 season proved a glorious season for him. He was involved in a record-breaking seventh wicket stand of 220 for BRC against Galle CC at the Esplanade. Partnering Duncan Arnold 129 n.o., and Swanji (110), erased the 153-run stand held by Aravinda de Silva and Gamini Wickremasinghe made in 1993-'94. This season he headed the bowling averages; while Aravinda in batting. Madanayake said these efforts made a tremendous impact for him to play professional cricket for Markse CC. He takes over from Pakistan's Mustaq Ahamed. Swanji, an useful all-rounder, is determined to perform well as a Pro. in his first stint in the Yorkshire League, where contemporary Dulip Samaraweera, too is playing

It's a pity that the national selectors have failed to harness his talents as a wily left-arm leggie when there is a dearth in the Lankan bowling armour at international level, barring, Murali. There are many more like him in his trade who have fallen on the wayside like him, due to lack of positive planning and thinking for a better future. Sri Lanka could make an impact in the shorter game, but in the established game the attack looks medicore. This was proved even in our recent outings here in our own tailor-made pitches. 

Youngsters likes Swanji and others should have been nursed and nurtured by the selectors at least to be in continuity in the national pool put aside playing rather than pinning faith on cart horse bowlers, who are not going to help the game or the country on the longer run.

A good example is neighbouring nations India and Pakistan, who are infusing fresh blood with an eye for the future They are prepared to lose, whilst giving exposure to the youngsters. The president of the Pakistan Board, Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia, a firm disciplinarian is doing a good job. He once said, "Pakistan is prepared even to lose to Sri Lanka, whilst giving exposure for youngsters with an eye for the future. - BW

Retired Hurt, fine reading

By Bernie Wijesekera

At the age of 35 he pulled down his shutters after an exciting career which first blossomed at Nalanda as a juvenile. Pint-sized Roshan gave king-sized performances as a junior to take note of for the future.

Mahanama has written a book 'Retired Hurt' in consultation with that well known Aussie critic, Ken Piesse, who has made a name worldwide for his lucid comments on and off the field. One wonders how he came about to name his autobiography 'Retired Hurt'. Following Mahanama's career from his childhood, he played this gentleman's game to the last in the correct spirit. His premature retirement didn't come about due to a physical injury, but apparently due to mental stress. He retired in 1999 after playing 52 tests and over 200 one-dayers.

David Cruse, a Sri Lankan born, who is helping Lankan sportsmen and promoting sport with his personal contributions is the brains behind this great happening, to bring back nostalgic memories about Roshan's career on and off the field. Fittingly it will be launched on May 11, at David's Hotel, Knox Tavern, in Melbourne, Australia. Many past celebrities will be in attendance, at this reception. This 208-page book, plus pictures will include more than his exploits with the willow, but also some of the great catches he held and the one when SriLanka beat Australia in the World Cup final at Lahore in 1996. 

This is what the legendary Pakistani Captain, Imran Khan, had to say about his fielding. "I'll be delighted to include him in any of my sides for his brilliant fielding." The book will include forewords written by former Aussie great Greg Chappell, Dav Whatmore and two of his team-mates Aravinda de Silva and, Asanka Gurusinha. Mahanama, who led a simple life, at times plagued by controversies has won much admiration for the country and for himself. This book will be translated into Sinhala and will be available here shortly.

Cabraal heads soccer veterans

Nivard Cabraal FCA (SL) FCMA (Eng.) and Western Provincial Councillor was elected to head the association. 

A brilliant academic and a modest sportsman from St. Peter's College will be supported by the following office-bearers. 

Senior Vice Chairman, K.K. Chandradasa 

Vice Chairman - Edward Wickremasuriya, Piyadasa Perera, T.M. Hajireen, P.H.S. Albert, Yoga Cruze, J.P.N. Fernando, Irshaad Haq, M.Caesear, Commander A.R.C. Fernando. 

Executive Secretary, J.M. Ayub. 

Financial Controller. S. Munaweera. 

Co-Ordinating officers - J.K. Edward Silva, M.F. Ramlan, Desmond Joseph, Nandasiri Perera. 

Representatives - R. Pussedeniya, H.G. Metthananda, Anton Rodrigo, T. Hallaldeen, B.G. Dickson. 

Broad plans for Bridge, Seeding of Bridge Players

Players are expected to take part in at least two of the three seeding tournaments. No entry fees is levied and transport expenses on the basis of Intercity Bus fares will be reimbursed to outstation players.

All players interested in pursuing this game are requested to respond immediately to reserve places. Federation Contact Numbers are: 075517465/074615490/432049/078641869.

BFSL is organizing free Bridge training camps on District basis depending on the number of applicants. Local and Foreign Bridge experts will conduct three courses, one for beginners, one for improvers, one to train Bridge Tournament Directors. Hand-outs in English, Sinhala or Tamil will be distributed among participants. 

Sharing a moment of victory with the sponsor 

Chris congratulated Aravinda on his gallant performance that proved his great driving skills at the prestigious motoring event of the year. The Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyatalawa in association with the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders organized this annual event. 

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