Soccer Veterans draw up plans

By M.Shamil Amit

First they intend to conduct a Seven-a-Side soccer tournament which will be notified very soon. The venue is to be in Colombo. This tournament is to be used as an opportunity to increase the Associations membership and would probably consist of matches within two age groups which is for ages between 45-50 and 50-55.

Challenge trophies and prize monies are to be awarded to the winners, runners-up and other outstsanding performers. The probable competing teams are likely to be from Colombo (5 teams), Chilaw (2 teams), Kurunegala (2 teams), Negombo (2 teams), Kandy (2 teams) and others 4 teams.

They also intend to publish a directory of members which would serve as a link among the soccer veterans so that they could keep in touch with each other. This project is to be co-ordinated by the Executive Secretary Mr. J.M.Ayub.

The Association is organizing an eye camp where spectacles are to be given free of charge to soccer veterans and members of their families. This will be done after the conduct of a free eye clinic by a reputable optician company and are expecting to have this on July 22 at Kollupitiya from 9.00 a.m. onwards.

They are also planning to hold an Awards Night and hope to have it every year in order to recognize and honour past national soccerites and others who have rendered significant service to soccer.

Is attack the best form of defence?

By Annesley Ferreira

The players cannot be blamed. They have to follow their coach and trainers' advice or else they will get the chop.

How on earth could the Sri Lankans force a win? All the time they defended and gave their opponents the better of exchanges in vital lapses.

Gone are the days where Sri Lanka earned the name of producing good goalkeepers with Hashim Deen earning the tag as the best goalkeeper in Asia. This was followed next by Lionel Peiris.

Some consolation is seen in the goal-keeping of Sandun Devinda who played in the second leg. He showed good anticipation, in keeping the score line down for Sri Lanka. Much is expected from him.

Sayed Sultan Arif, the Special Football Correspondent for the Pakistan Daily Nawa-i—Waqt and The Nation in conversation stated that Sri Lanka was playing good football and it could be further improved, if they could play a home and away series of three matches each with Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Maldives, which is found wanting.

Furthermore, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka should look into the possibilities of making use of talent scouts to watch and recommend talented players to the selection committee, without picking players at trials held at zonal level, which is of no use.

True enough, youthful players should be picked. Why not, since a training centre is under construction at Baddegana. Think of the idea of paying them a substantial allowance and keep them in residential training throughout the year, which will no doubt produce results.

Influencing the selectors should stop, only then can the best be picked for the national team, leave aside having a player of every district association to represent Sri Lanka.

For instance if eight players are good to represent Sri Lanka from Kandy, let it be so, in the best interests of the game.

Peterson's long trek from Amparai to Athletic fame 

Bruce Maurice

At the Inter-House sports meet, she won the same events she had won at her previous school and also became Under-11 champion. At Bandaranayake GS it was a one horse race whether it be a track or field event if Delima Peterson was in it. She was the undisputed champion in athletics every year from the Under-11 age group to the Under-19 till she left school. To the long jump and high jump, she also added the 100 and 200m sprints. 

Not being satisfied with athletics only, she knew she was a natural for sports and played and captained the Under-15, 17 and 19 volleyball teams. Her first meet outside school was the AGA meet in Amparai. At this meet Delima established records in the 100m, 200m, Long jump and High jump and for good measure she also won the shot putt and javelin. At the District meet she set up new records in the 200m and long jump and was the Under-15 champion athlete. 

Taking part in three All Island Championship Meets at Wennappuwa, Police Park and the Sugathadasa Stadium, Delima was the champion athlete. She also held the All Island triple jump record for girls for 5 years with an achievement of 12.30m. Leaving school, she was fortunate to find employment at The Finance Co (Ceylinco Group) where she played Goal Attack for the Netball team that won the 'A' division championship. At The Finance Co. Delima was given all the encouragement to pursue her sports by Deshabandu Lalith Kotalawela. 

Today Delima is where she is solely due to Deshbandu Lalith Kotalawela. She says the debt that she owes him is one that money will never repay. Joining the Department of Education, she helped them to win the Government Services 'A' division netball title and was chosen to represent the country against India. But unfortunately could not participate. She was then picked for the World Championships in Ireland, but due to financial difficulties had to give that tournament also a miss. These setbacks did not deter Delima. 

If anything it spurred her on and in 1985 came her first big break. It was the Asian Games in China and that very year at the SAF games in Bangladesh she won a Gold for the country in the long jump. Delima had now arrived on the international scene. In the 1987 SAF games she.won a Silver in India and a Gold in the triple jump at the South Australian Games. In 1988 she invaded Russia and won a Silver at the Baku Games. At the SAF Games in Pakistan she won another Silver medal and the following year she was placed fourth in the long jump at the Asian Games. Finally in 1991 she put the icing on her cake, when she was crowned the National Sports Star of Sri Lanka. The girl from Amparai had made it to the top by sheer hard work and determination. Delima's achievements will fill a sporting volume. 

Among them the former national triple jump record holder. She was also the athletic coach for the Scholar Games held in Ireland in 1988 and the athletic coach for the Asian Games held in Nepal. Delima is now bent on giving back to athletics what the sport has given her. She is now the coach of Devi Balika, Museaus and Isipatana. And just as she was a natural in athletics, she has proved a natural where teaching is also concerned. Under her coaching, Museaus has won the All-Island Championships in 1997,1998 and 1999. St. Bridget's were the runners-up at the All Island Championships. In 1999 Devi Balika won the All-Island Junior Championships in 1999. Delima's one last desire is to coach not one but many youngsters who will some day hit it big at the Olympics. With her determination this is certainly not a pipe dream. Good luck Delima. !!

Suntel supports golf in a big way

Attractive Nilmini Guneratne flamboyant Public Relations Manager of Suntel handled the promotion quite effectively, ably supported by Lionel Almeida, the Competent Authority of the Royal Colombo Golf Club. The weather was extremely kind and the Beers refreshingly cool.

De Saram impressive

Cho wins

Kim shines

KBA Smart Senior

Masters

Finally 

Patans at chess

Mr. Upali Gunasekera the young and energetic Principal of Isipathana who pioneered this programme as a new project in order to produce wise, efficient and intelligent young generation under the new Educational Reforms. It should be appreciated that most of the students in the school are now showing interest in Chess. 

A number of chess workshops and training sessions have been conducted in the college main hall, to develop knowledge and necessary skills of the pupils at Isipathana College. These workshops were successfully conducted under the watchful eye of Mrs. Suneetha Wijesuriya, a gold medallist and ten times national women's champion.

The Royal-Thomian rugby encounter - 2001

(1) Take your penalties to extend your lead. Royal did just that. Dev Wijewardene obliged making no mistake with the kicks. This gave Royal a healthy lead. Unforunately for S. Thomas', fly half Thajudeen and scrum half Welikala missed easy penalities in front of the posts which may have given the Thomians some confidence which was waning with each 'miss'. Thomian Jeevan Gunatilleke led the Sri Lanka Under-19 team to a historic win against Belgium. He leads from the front, but such misses can demoralize any team.

(2) Royal forwards must be commended for holding the heavy Thomian "eight". Although shoved in the scrums, the Royal forwards were able to 'take it.' It did not affect their play. Neither did Royal try to shove the Thomians - a futile exercise and a waste of energy. This is where good coaching and careful planning comes in - well done, Seneviratne. What should the Thomians have done? With the abundance of possession they received, Jeevan Gunatilleke should have initiated more moves from the base of the scrum with continuity involving the Thomian forwards. This would have had some effect on the Royal forwards. There were hardly any Thomian forward moves from the lines-out!

(3) Came the 2nd half and Royal changed tactics. With a 9-0 lead, the three quarters swung into action with limited possession. Dev Wijewardene had a memorable game. With Skipper Kaluarachchi joining in and Wijewardene creating the overlap, the ball moved to Rajith Jayasundera who scored a glorious try. Then again Wijewardene breezed through the Thomian defense and passed to wing three-quarter Lakshman Dissanayake who brushed aside tackles and unleashed a stunning run covering almost 50 metres to score a fine try. The Thomian counter? Again, with so much possession, keep the game with your forwards and commit the Royalists with 2nd and 3rd phase play through forwards, keeping possession. This they were not able to do.

(4) Make use of your strengths at the correct time. Just close to the Thomain line Zulki Hamid passed to Dushan Lewke who barged over for a great try - unstoppable. S Thomas' should practice more forward ploys. Royal Skipper Harin Kaluarachchi was an inspiration to his team with his quiet but firm encouragement. No. 8 Mendis and flanker Athukorale were outstanding in defense. On names, Thomian Jason Jayasekera was a marked man but their threes were more often caught in possession... again the 'chip' was the answer to an active opposition line.

An interesting comment made by Trinitian Devapriya Perera "Bryan, each Royal player knew what he had to do, and all knew what they had to do as a team." For S. Thomas', they should obtain a video of this game and study it. Applying effective strategy in their next game against Thurstan could prepare them well for their encounter against St. Peter's. 

Local umpiring must be improved

By Bernie Wijesekera

Wettimuny along with Mike Tissera and Asantha de Mel will oversee the development of the game not only at grassroots level. They will also devote their attention to other areas including the uplift of the standard of local umpiring.

They are striving to get past Test cricketers to join the fraternity. Wettimuny told The Suday Times that they will try to get three or four past Test players to join the fraternity and even go to the extent of paying them a monthly salary. This is one area that need special attention if the game is to improve. But in the past the way umpires were picked apparently at the behest of some administrators and even players. The main offenders were apparently the seniors who want be in the good books and be in the panel. If there is an impeachment then it should not be the umpires, but those who run its affairs? There is a point what you say. This is one reason why we are giving special attention to this all important area, Sidat said.

The legendary Dickie Bird, once said, umpires make human errors, but strive to minimise it and forget about the past. But don't balance it. 

Wettimuny said that Asoka de Silva, the former Test player, came in for high praise by the English cricket captain Nasir Hussain with regard to his decision mdÀinmÓ He even mentioned there should be more umpires of his calibre in the country. He is now in the ICC panel and has been nominated to officiate in the second Test between Zimbabwe and India in Harare. Despite the fact that he has the ability and the experience whilst playing at the national level, he was overlooked. Asoka undeterred did his job well without fear or favour. It was a long wait but took in the correct spirit. There is a saying that "You can't keep a good man down always". He got it on merit - that, too from the ICC for his integrity and honesty. But not a special favour for services rendered.

Can Trinity stall Royal in first leg

Aubrey Kuruppu 

Royal is one of the few unbeaten sides where Trinity has tasted the galling, bitter pill of defeat on three occasions - St. Peter's, S. Thomas' and St. Anthony's. Royal has been running up big scores against quality opposition and their 30-0 demolition of the Thomians is one more instance of this fact. Clearly, they are a team whose confidence has been boosted sky-high as a result of several triumphs. 

However, all is not darkness and despair for the Trinitians. They admit to the underdog tag. Yet their pride in their rugby and their traditions remain undimmed. We will overcome, they seem to say, whatever the Royalists do on that day. 

Trinity started off with a rather unimpressive 20-15 win over Vidyartha and then ran into a very good Anthonian outfit and came off second best. The game against the Thomians, which was touch and go, was decided by one scoring effort. If that was their nadir, the zenith of their fortunes was that epoch-making win over Isipatana. Luck which deserted them in the Thomian game seemed to be with them in their keenly awaited clash with the Havelock Town lads. 

Trinity has had a few problems. Injuries to key players have induced an unsettling effect. 

The defense has been quite outstanding but a major cause for concern is the fact that the three quarters haven't been good finishers. In their last few games, the forwards have been made to work much harder and the results are plain to see. 

Junior National player, full back Thisal Jayawardena leads the lions. The skipper has turned out to be the chief try-scorer, in addition to accumulating points by his kicks at goal. Jayawardena has faltered in pressure-cooker situations and kicked some penalties astray. However, Trinitians believe that when the hour comes, the man in him will emerge. 

Deputy skipper Sean Wijesinghe, tall and springy as befits a line out jumper, doubles as a lock and as a flanker. He has been affected by a knee injury and thus he doesn't occupy the number four slot. 

The front-row comprising Mendis, de Mel and Wasalatantri has been impressive. Ganewatte at scrum half, Wellalage (centre) and winger Weerakoon are some of the other players who have really performed during the season. 

Last year, the Trinitians won the first leg in Colombo 32-25 in what turned out to be a memorable display. If this year's team can evoke memories of that win and imbue themselves with confidence, this game will certainly not be a goner. 

Trinity's probably line up is as follows:- 

Props: Sajiv Mendis, Siyan de Mel; Hooker: Prageeth Wasalatantri; Locks: Sean Wijesinghe, Dushan de Silva; Flankers: Robert Harley; Dinesh Weeraratne; Number Eight: Gayan Welikumbura; Scrum Half: Tilina Ganewatte; Fly half: Vinoth Vidanagamage; Centres: Amila Heenetigala, Nuwan Wellalage; Wingers: Cheruka Weerakoon, Kasun Subatilleka; Full Back: Thisal Jayawardena (Capt). 

Jansher Khan retires

"I have made up my mind to call it a day. It has been a difficult decision but considering a two-year lay-off because of injuries, I think it is better to forget about staging one last comeback," Jansher told Reuters from the northwestern city of Peshawar. 

Jansher's announcement came exactly two years after his last top flight match, when he lost the Dutch Open final in five games to Candian Jonathon Power, the world No. 1.

Jansher, who held the world's top ranking for almost six years and also won the World Open eight times and took six British Open titles, has struggled with knee and groin injuries.

He had a series of operations for kneecap repairs but failed to find the same agility, rhythm and court coverage which made him the heir to compatriot Jahangir Khan.

Jahangir, seen as the world's greatest squash player and who is now senior vice-president of the world squash federation (PSF), retired six years ago after winning 10 British and six World Opens.

"More than anything, I would remember my duels with Jahangir who has not only been a role model for me but for the squash enthusiasts the world over," Jansher said.

Royal in classy win over Zahira

By M.Shamil Amit

Zahira opened scoring through in the sixth minute of the game through a penalty by fly half M.I.Marso but soon after that Royal winger Indika de Silva scored a try and Dev Wijewardena missed the converson and the Zahirians took over the lead with another penalty put over by Marso. During this half Royal scored three more tries through Indika de Silva, prop Shamil Mohamed and scrum half Zulkarnain Hamid of which one was converted by full back Dev Wijewardena.

In the second half Royal went on to add five more tries through Shamil Mohamed (2), Dev Wijewardena, prop Venura Perera, and Rajitha Jayawardena. Dev Wijewardena succeded with three conversions but most of his kicks went astray and it was not his day.

Referee: Shamrath Fernando.

Kandy Youth win

Schools rugby semis today

Decisive role for Refs

By Bernie Wijesekera

A senior official of the SLRFU said that some of the referees are not physically fit to stand the strain of a fast open game. Some of them seem to be out of breath even in the first half. Fitness is a must. The Referees Society must look into this area.

CH and FC in Singer final 

By Bruce Maurice 

The Army have only themselves to blame as they missed five 'sitters'. One of them right in front of a wide open CH goal. The scores were deadlocked till the 32nd minute, when C.K. Gunapala put CH in the lead off a penalty stroke. The Army were unable to penetrate the CH & FC defence and the CH & FC held onto their 1-0 lead. 

In the second half, neither side was able to penetrate each other's defence and when no time was blown, CH had booked themselves into today's final. 

The game was controlled by Kalum Shanthasiri and Indrawansa Herath, while the third umpire was H.L. Mithrapala. 

Air Force down Police 2-0

In the 38th minute, Air Force's centre forward broke through the Police defence to make it one nil.

At half time, the Air Force were holding onto this lead. 

In the second half, the Police played a more inspiring and attacking game. But they were unable to break through the Air Force defense. In the 64th minute came the finest goal of the match. Dhammika Abeyratne, the Air Force inside, dribbled past the entire Police defence and passed to D.D. Panditharatne to score their second goal. 

The umpires were, Mahesh Abeywickrema and Damith Jayasena. While the third umpire was Kalun Shanthasiri. (BM) 

Junior hockey Nationals go to Matara

The opening ceremony will he held at 8.30 p.m.. on June 20 and the closing ceremony will be held at 4.00 p.m.. on June 24. 

This year will be the first time that eleven teams are due to participate in the championships, with Matara taking part for the first time. in 1991, under Singer (Sri Lanka) Limited sponsorship, the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation started hockey in Matara and now they are affiliated to the SLHF as an associate member and have come forward to organise the tournament this year. 

Last year the championship was won by Defence Services and the runners-up were Mercantile H.A. 

The teams participating are: Kandy, Matale, Colombo, Wennappuwa, Matara, Galle, Uva, Sri Lanka Schools (Maroons), Sri Lanka Schools (Gold), Mercantile and Defence Services. (BM)

Sri Lanka to host World Badminton Championship of the disabled 

By Leonard Ratnayake 

He further added that the credit should go to all the competitors who participated in the past three championship, since their outstanding performances have earned the country honours and a chance to host a world championship event. 

Sri Lanka, in the past three championship were on top of all the other Asian countries and have posed threats to countries in the European region, where this tournament held so far. 

In Brief

Roshan shines again

The highlight of his knock of 77 was his 13 hits to the ropes, while for the Panadura school, Nissansala Mendis scored an unbeaten 55. 

It was only last week that Roshan scored 54 against the highly rated Peterites with 8 fours and a six.

Scores

D.S. Senanayake - 156 for 4 (Roshan Kulatunga 77, Pubudu Perera 35, Kanchana Gunawardena 22). Sri Sumangala - 107 for 3. (Nisansala Mendis 55, Harsha Fernando 20).

Beach Volleyball in Sri Lanka

Volleyball Clubs and Associations wishing to join the Beach Volleyball Association are requested to get in touch with the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation at No. 2, Reid Avene on or before June 30.

Hoteliers at Cricket

This overs game played among the rank and file of the two hotels is to bring about understanding and togetherness via sports. Play commence at 9.30 a.m. Last year both teams emerged joint champs and shared the Sulaiman A. Kareem Challenge Trophy. Chandra Wickremasinghe Chairman Connaissance group and A.K. Sulaiman will be the chief guests. B.W.

Ishan beaten by Thahir

M.I.M. Ishan is due to represent Sri Lanka in the 9 Ball Pool championships 2001 to be held in Taiwan.

Of the five women participants Shamrooth Shaharwardi remained unbeaten winning all her matches.

Ransilu does proud for Kingswood

Five Lankans participated where nine nations lined up. According to Siridasa Liyanage, who accompanied the team as Chef de Mission, Ransilu's effort was a courageous one indeed. He had to confront some seasoned contenders drawn from Asia, in the sub-juniors category to win a Silver. It was his maiden tour abroad and he struck 'Silver' which augurs well for his future, in this healthy sport.

The President of the Federation, Earle de Mel, told The Sunday Times that they hope to hold a junior schools championship either in Colombo or in the outskirts to give the youngsters that much needed competition to be in continuity.

With the support rendered by the former President of Powerlifting Federation, Ronnie Abeysinghe, my committee is confident of making it a reality, de Mel said. (BW)

Old Anthonians Cricket Wing 

Named the Old Anthonians cricket wing, they intend concentrating on areas such as diet, health care, gear, transport to outstation areas etc. 

All these things had been looked into earlier and as a result Anthonian cricketers had produced excellent results and gone onto gain national honours.

At present, the college finds it difficult to meet the heavy expenditure on cricket and this is why the OACW has decided to step in and highten the schools financial burden.

As a fund-raiser, the OACW has organised a get-together of Old Anthonian cricketers at Queen's Hotel Kandy on the 7th of July, starting at 7 p.m.

The organising committee is headed by Ranjith Samarasekera and includes Ranjith Pieris (01-738748, 071-770199), Daminda Kolugala (08-420902, 077 901337), Amedha Ellepola (007-804226, 08-499480), Asela Herath (08-461930, 077-900447), Suresh Pieris (08-229941) and Chandika Jayawardena (08-232641, 077-376324). 

The committee expects former Anthonian cricketers to come in droves, having confirmed their participation before-hand.

A.K. 

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