By Nilika de Silva
Zal Chitty emerged overall winner at the Stableford 5-Club Golf Tournament sponsored by HSBC on Sunday.
The tournament took off to a shot gun start at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) at 7.15 a.m. on the 14, with 105 participants (90 men, 15 women) vying for the coveted Stableford Trophy.
The Winners were in the 'A' Division (handicap 0-9)- Mr. Zal Chitty, 'B' Division (handicap 10-8) - Mr. Anil Hidramani, 'C' Division (handicap 19-26) - Mr. R.K. Witharanarachchi, Seniors - Mr. M. Jameel and Ladies (handicap limit 26)- Ms. Y. Abeyratne.
The Runners Up 'A' Division - Mr. Anil de Silva, 'B' Division - Mr. S. Kumaratunga, 'C' Division - Mr. Bandula Wirasinghe, Seniors - Mr. Norman Chandraratna and Ladies - Ms. D. de Soysa.
The Award for the Longest Drive - 272 yards - was won by Mr. M.J. Mansoor, while the awards for the Nearest to Pin went to Ms. Y. Abeyratne in the Ladies Division and Mr. Anil Hidramani in the Mens.
The HSBC 5-Club Stableford challenge trophy awarded to the person who secures the highest number of Stableford points in any handicap group, went to Mr. Zal Chitty.
A much looked forward to event on the golfing calendar the popularity of the HSBC sponsored 5-Club Stableford Tournament was evident in participants filling up the entry-form in an incredibly short period of time. "Within half an hour the register was full and we had a very long list of people on reserve," RCGC Secretary, Mr. Lionel Almeida said.
HSBC CEO Nik Cherrill played in the B Division while Ms.
Shiroma Jayawickrema, HSBC's Advertising and Marketing Communications Manager participated in the Ladies.
"The bank has been a very enthusiastic supporter of golf and generously extended its sponsorship to ensure the best for the future of the sport," said Mr. Almeida. "They are part of the club, and following refurbishment the No. 1 Tee to Green is sponsored by the HSBC," he said.
The novel 5-Club Stableford Tournament with a shot-gun start was introduced by HSBC and continued for many years. Last year the tournament couldn't be held due to restriction of the course for renovation. Mr. Arjun Fernando, Manager Corporate and Institutional Banking HSBC a keen golf enthusiast confirmed continued support to the tournament in the years to come.
The Over all winner at the last Stableford Tournament in 1999 was Nalin Senadheera.
The finals of the Pin Fernando Trophy which was scheduled for October 19 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club has been postponed for Friday October 26 and the prize giving for Sunday October 28.
The postponement is to enable the finalists to go up to Digana to take part in the AirLanka Golf Classic to be held at the Victoria Golf Club over the week end.
The finalists are: S. Kumarathunga, M. Ratnayake. The results of the quarter-finals and semi-finals are as follows:
Quarter Finals: M. Amamdeen beat R. De Livera 6/4; S. Kumarathunga beat S. Salgado 9/7; M. Ratnayake beat M.Y. Kim 3/2; A. Hirdarmani beat D. Pieris 4/3.
Semi-Finals: S. Kumarathunga beat M. Amamdeen 6/5; M. Ratnayake beat A. Hirdarmani 5/4.
United Tractor & Equipment Ltd., together with their major Principal Caterpillar, have sponsored this prestigious tournament offering a variety of prizes to the participants.
Wanathamulla Youth beat much fancied Java Lane 2-7 in a nail baiting 2nd semi-final of the Gold Cup Championship played at the Cooray Park, Wellawatte. Java Lane took the lead in the first half which was their solitary goal through Nazar.
Wanathamulla came back in style to make it 2-1 at the final whistle. Wanathamulla will now view for the Gold Cup along with Victory SC.
M. Jaswer, M. Nageem and S.P. Premadasa officiated the game.
Waidyatilaka re-elected
P.H.D. Waidyatilaka was unanimously re-elected President of the Ceylonese Track & Field Club for another term at the Annual General Meeting held at the AAA Head Quarters recently.
The incumbent General Secretary Capt.Shemal Fernando opted to step down due to pressure of work in the Navy. Capt. Jayanath Colombage was elected as General Secretary in his place.
Waidyatilaka in his address paid a glowing tribute to Capt. Shemal Fernando for the yeoman service he rendered the club. Capt. Fernando being the personal assistant to the Commander of the Navy had very little time to spare for other activities. Yet he carried out his duties as the General Secretary of the CT&FC to the entire satisfaction of the President.
The annual club championship will be held on 3 and 4 November at the University of Colombo grounds. As in previous years large number of athletes are expected to participate.
The newly elected office-bearers are as follows:
President: Mr. P.H.D. Waidyatilaka; General Secretary: Capt.J.S.K. Colombage; Vice Presidents -Mrs. Shanthi Podimahatmaya; Miss. Muditha Rodrigo; Mr. Sumith Dalpathado; Mr. Anil Weerasinghe; Mr. Douglas Dhanawardena; Asst. Secretary: Mr. K.P.A.N. Serasinghe; Athletic Secretary: Mr. Yasarohana de Silva; Treasurer: Mr. Bandula Athukorala; Committee: Capt. Shemal Fernando; Mr. Asoka Amarasena; Mr. R.W.H.T. Waidyasekera; Mr. Suresh Dematapitiya;
Mr. H.G. Ananda; Mr. Asoka Mendis; Mr. Prasana Perera; Mr. Lal Wijewickrama; Mrs. Susila Palihawadena; Mr. Neville Rodrigo; Mr. P.D.R. Samantha; Mrs. Dulari Rajapaksha; Mr. S.A.D.B. Subasinghe.
Easy for Victory
Victory SC comfortably beat Vaeni SC by 6 goals to 2 in the 1st semi-final of the Gold Cup Championship match played at the M.H. Mohamed Playground Borella on October 12. The winners led 3-0 in the first half.
Victory SC will now meet the winners of the 2nd semi-final match between Java Lane SC and Wanathamulla Youth.
The finals of the Gold Cup will be held on October 26 at the Sugathadasa Stadium under Floodlights.
Hashimdeen, S. Kumara, Nalaka and Fouzan scored for the winners while M. Sakaf scored for the losers. M. Zaffar, M. Nageem and S.P. Premadasa officiated the game.
Deen too strong for Peiris
Following are the results of the Otter Open Squash Tournament sponsored by Shell Motor Oils worked off on October 17:
Men's Over-35: Yee Woo Hong w/o Ravichandran; R.S. Deen beat A.M. B. Peiris - 9/4, 9/3, 9/2.
Boys Under-19: Kyle Coenraad beat Malinda Sugathapala - 9/0, 9/3, 9/3; Kavin Jayawardena beat Shamin Kannangara - 9/2, 9/3, 9/4.
Boys Under-15: Akitha Gunasekera beat Romesh Fernando - 9/0, 9/0, 9/0; Yasir Issadeen beat Manesh Marambe - 9/1, 9/3, 9/3; A. Madanayake beat C.B. Rajapakse - 9/4, 9/2, 9/3; Eranga Alwis beat S. Gunaratne - 9/5, 9/2, 9/3.
Boys Under-11: Praveen Perera beat Thilina Mendis - 9/1, 9/0, 9/3; Kasun Weerasooriya beat Yusuf Issadeen - 9/2, 9/3, 9/6; Yaseen Issadeen beat Dimuth Fernando - 9/3, 9/1, 9/6; Binura Jayasuriya beat Banuka Rajapakse - 9/1, 9/0, 9/2.
"Olympic Serisara", a book written by award winning sports journalist Asoka Gunatilleke will be launched on October 25 (Thursday) at the Colombo Public Library Auditorium at 4 p.m.
Some of the distinguished guests who are billed to speak on the occasion include Yogananda Wijesunder, Hemasiri Fernando, Manilal Fernando, Dharmasiri Gamage and Palitha Perera.
By M.Shamil Amit
Horse racing is set to make a grand return to Colombo when on October 28 (Sunday). The Royal College Class of 69 will be staging the Grand Royal Derby at the Mount Lavinia beach starting from 9.00. a.m onwards. This ground breaking event is being held to raise funds to develop infrastructure at Royal College and to contribute to support disabled soldiers and Police Welfare Fund. Royal College Class of 69 is a group of old boys who entered grade eight from junior school to Royal College. The group is known as the sixty niners.
Horse racing though popular has been a restricted sport in Sri Lanka since the early 1960's. Limited events have been confined to Nuwara Eliya during the festive season in April. Colombo has not staged any horseracing event since the restriction.
Around sixty horses are expected to participate and valuable trophies are on offer to owner, trainer and the jockey of the first three positions of each event. Already Thoroughbred horses, Three quarter and Half bred horses have entered the fray with more entries being expected. All stables have been built and horses are practicing at the Mount Lavinia beach in the mornings and evenings.
Among the Gentleman riders category Gamini Kodituwakku, Kamal Senaratne, Suranjith Premadasa, Dr Sinharaja Delgoda and Nalin Rajapakse competing while British, German and many Sri Lankan ladies will vie for the ladies event. Mathee Alagan, Janaka and Lalith of Nuwara Eliya fame will be among the jockeys who will particiupate.
The scheduled events.
Thoroughbred horses Class 1 (Grand Royal Derby), Thoroughbred horses Class 2, Thoroughbred horses Class 3, Thoroughbred horses Class 4. Half-bred horses Class 1, Half-bred horses horses Class 3. Three-quarter bred horses. Gentleman riders. Novices-Lady riders. Novices-Gentleman riders.
The event will be telecast alive on Swarnavahini. Harris a commentator from India will be specially flown to Colombo for this spectacular event. There will also be a musical show after the Grand Royal Derby featuring popular band "Wild Fire. Tickets are priced at Rs 50 and Rs 250 and are available at. Premadasa Group 179, Jayantha Weerasekera Mawatha, Colombo 10 or 240, Galle Road, Mt Lavinia. Mount Lavinia Hotel, Mt Lavinia. and Surf Club and Stables at site at Siripala Mawatha, Mt Lavinia.
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Colombo Cricket Club and Bloomfield worked their way into a strong position against SSC and Panadura at the end of the second day's play in the Cricket Board's Under 23 Semi finals yesterday.
Half centuries from Daminda Ranaweera (59), Malintha Thotuwilage (57), Nisal Randika (50) and Amila Ratnaile (68 n. o) helped CCC to 369 all out against SSC at the NCC grounds. Replying to SSC's 206 all out the CCC batsmen rose to the occasion to send their neighbours on a leather hunt.
Allrounder Amila Ratnaike was their top scorer with a breezy unbeaten 68 off 78 balls. Batting at number eight Ratnaike struck a dozen boundaries as CCC gained a 163 run first innings lead and were set to clinch an outright victory. Batting for a second time SSC finished the day at 29 for 2 wickets before bad light halted play.
SSC -206 all out & 29/2 at close
CCC - 67/1 overnight 369 all out (Daminda Ranaweera 59, Shan Wijesekera 37, Tharinda Mendis 46, Malintha Thotuwialge 57, Nisal Randika 50, Fareez Maharoof 26, Amila Ratnaike 68 n. o; Mohamed Aslam 3/62, Ranil Dhammika 2/96, Duminda Jayaweera 2/52 )
Bloomfield on top
Bloomfield bowlers led by U. Wickremasinghe sent Panadura crashing to 117 all out at the P. Sara Stadium yesterday.
After hitting up 345 for 8 declared the Reid Avenue bowlers teamed up to bundle out Panadura cheaply and set the stage for an outright victory.Wickremasinghe was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4 for 36 while Kaushal Lokuarachchi (3/25) and D. Gamage(2/25) also bowled well for Bloomfield.
Bloomfield - 345/8 dec. (Chaminda Ruwan 124, Kaushal Lokuarachchi 46, Duminda Perera 55 n. o; Amila Perera 5/111 Pubudu Wickrema 2/41).
Panadura SC -117 (D Perera 38, D. Mahesh 23, T. Priyadarshana 20; U. Wickremasinghe 4/36. K. Lokuarachchi 3/25 D. Gamage 2/25) & 2 for no loss.
In 1987 the New Zealanders left Sri Lanka when a bomb exploded in the vicinity of their hotel and no international cricket team visited the island for over four years. There have been some instances when minor hiccups with games being disrupted but overall no major effects.
At present the issue is global. The Kiwis again panicked and flew away. In blind sight were they too hasty? Whilst there has been street violence in Pakistan it is doubtful whether a tour of cricket matches would have been affected.
Sri Lanka embarks on close to three months of cricketing excitement as they take wing to Sharjah. The desert nation has vowed to go on with the cricket come what may. They have even volunteered to be a neutral venue for other International Games.
A welcome move
Sanath Jayasuriya's men go out as favourites to clinch the tri-nation series. Pakistan will be close behind on their heels. In fact they were the dominating force in the last set of internationals played on that soil, until they stumbled at the final hurdle, against Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan's will be looking for consistency. They have had a break and will be refreshed and looking forward to the battles ahead. Their opener is against Zimbabwe, who will not be brimming with confidence after their very recent annihilation by the English.
Zimbabwe do posses an experienced one-day unit. Their strength is in their batting with Andy Flower, now accepted as one of the best players in the world, leading the way. It is in the bowling department that they struggle, not having the ability to strangle opposition batsmen when needed. Notable omissions from their team are stalwarts Alistair Campbell and Guy Whittal. Both excluded due to their poor recent form. Every team at present is implementing including and excluding with an eye on the 2003 World Cup. They are attempting to formulate the correct balance to pose a challenge for cricket's one-day plum.
Meanwhile the West Indies gear up for their tour to Sri Lanka. They are scheduled to arrive and commence preparations whilst the Sharjah tournament is in progress. They will be hoping that their star batsman Brian Lara will recover from a hamstring muscle injury to be part of the squad. Their's is a team whose experience of Sri Lankan conditions are relatively minimal. Tackling our off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will be their biggest challenge. The two players most geared for that is Carl Hooper and Brain Lara. The burden of holding the batting together will rest heavily on their shoulders.
A cloud still hovers over the tour though, with the warning in Afghanistan and anticipation of trouble prior to and after the general elections in Sri Lanka. England also threatening to cancel their tour of India does not help. Turmoil indeed and certainly not what Sri Lankan cricket fans want. It will be a great pity should these games involving West Indies, Zimbabwe and the home team not take place as the only Cricket to be played at home in 2002 is a tour of Bangladesh who are scheduled to play two Test matches and three one-dayers.
Meanwhile, turmoil also with the TV rights contract which has meant the cancellation of the agreement with WSG/Nimbus. The BCCSL got stinking rich after the 1996 World Cup and have been in a position to net millions of dollars. To earn the maximum and then spend it wisely is the sole responsibility of the governing body. The TV rights deal is the Cricket Board's major source of income each year and that must be secured with all thoroughness for the welfare of the game. Obviously there were many loopholes in the previous contract and the contractor had more to gain out of it than the BCCSL.
With the forthcoming tour a few weeks away it will be another rush to sign the new deal. There is no doubt the correct procedures will be adopted by their Interim Committee and it is anticipated that a hazard free deal will be negotiated.
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