By Bernie Wijesekera
Facilities to the media and for the spectators were found wanting at the Galle International Stadium - a picturesque Test venue.
Media - be it print or electronic is found wanting when a Test match is played here. This includes toilet facilities. Seeing is believing! A jam-packed media box with no space to move around - a shame to an international venue. Even the media management in the past and at present has shown a blind eye, nor taken remedial measures despite being brought to their notice about the shortcomings prevailing at this venue. Imagine only two toilets for men and women inside the clubhouse which is an eye-sore.
When compared to the MCC, Lord's , Eden Gardens in Calcutta and the Gaddafi Stadium, where there are toilet facilities, even to physically handicapped, priorities given to these areas is better unlike here. Apparently they are more concerned to the comforts of the officials.
Tourist attraction
Last year when the English team played here there were journalists in their numbers - including women. The Test at Galle Stadium proved a tremendous tourist attraction and raked in that much needed foreign exchange via cricket.
Despite this the facilities afforded to them at this venue had much to be desired, put aside the media facilities. Some of the English women (media), had to queue to gain toilet facilities. Apparently the men were occupying the solitary women's toilet.
This was brought to the notice of the CEO of the Cricket Board. He agreed, said something must be done to improve the conditions. Put aside the media even spectators were using it. One can't blame them. Its an eye-sore and tarnished the image of this beautiful venue. The administration, at present times is plagued by controversies. At present its being run and handled by an Interim Committee but still there is much waste and unwarranted spending. This was brought to the notice of a senior official of the hierarchy.
By Marlon Fernandopulle
NCC medium pacers led by Ravindra Pushpakumara had CCC on the backfoot at 149/9 in a Premier League game at the SSC grounds yesterday.
Earlier Hashan Tilakaratne joined the run fiesta to complete a fine century as NCC hit up 451 for 6 declared. CCC never came to terms with the NCC medium pacers Pushpakumara(3/24),Ishara Amarasinghe (2/27) and Susantha Pradeep (2/21) who picked up wickets at regular intervals to have their neighbours reeling at 149 for 9 at the close.
NCC-451/6 decl.(Rally Tissera 86, Naweed Nawaz 88, Carman Mapatuna 62, Hashan Tilakaratne 103, Ruwan Kalpage 56; Nisitha Rupasinghe 3/99)
CCC-149/9 at close (Pubudu Seneviratne 30, Hemantha Boteju 23, Tharindu Mendis 20; Ravindra Pushpakumara 3/24, Ishara Amarasinghe 2/27, Susantha Pradeep 2/21)
Moors have the edge
Moors SC were strongly placed in their Premier League game at the CCC grounds yesterday.
In reply to Moors first innings total of 350 all out SSC were 187 for 5 wickets with M Dissanayake unbeaten on a well compiled 74.
Moors SC-350 all out (Nandika Ranjith 28; Suresh Perera 5/104 Thilan Samaraweera 3/107)
SSC-187/5 at close (M. Dissanayake 74 n.o, Hemantha Wickremaratne 41, Thilan Samaraweera 37; Nandika Ranjith 2/42, A. Zubair 2/26)
BRC poised for outright win
BRC were poised for an outright victory against Galle CC at the NCC grounds yesterday.
Trailing by 91 runs on the first innings Galle CC were reeling at 53 for 6 wickets still needing a further 38 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Galle CC-196 all out and 53/6 (Chamil Perera 25 n. o; Sajeewa de Silva 3/20, Dilshan Perumal 2/12)
BRC-287 all out (Chinthaka Jayasinghe 82, Udaya Hettiarachchi 42; Champaka Ramanayake 3/36, Lasitha Malinga 3/97, Viraj Perera 2/29)
The first FIA standard rally was concluded in early hours of the morning last Sunday. Recently rallying has been growing in popularity, with a host of short fun rallies being organized by numerous promoters of the sport. The MRA rally used a different formula. In this rally the winner was chosen based on sheer speed, and endurance of his or her machine, and not based on maintaining preset average speeds.
The rally attracted all the big names in the local motor racing fraternity. It also attracted a wide array of cars. Infact many of the cars that competed in this rally were prepared to international standards, and were cars seen in the international rally circuit. In this context, it was extremely noteworthy that the Citroen team won the team prize, posting very strong and consistent performances. The Citroen Xantia entered by Sheran Fernando won the S3 category and was placed 6th overall, whilst the Citroen Xsara entered by Shirendra Lawrence was placed third in the S2 class, and 8th overall. These two performances together secured them the Team Prize for the event.
The overall winner of the event was Dinesh Deheragoda driving a Mitsubishi Pajero Evaluation. Interestingly, this vehicle is very similar to the one that won the recently concluded Paris to Beijing rally. Coming in second overall was a relative newcomer to the local motor sporting arena, Mansoor Hassan, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Again this is a car that is presently being rallied internationally. The first major upset in the rally was that young Javid Wahab came third driving a Toyota Sprinter and Nishan Weeerasooriya fourth, in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evaluations RS, and sixth was the Citroen Xantia of Sherah Fernando. It is noteworthy that the rally giant Subaru, had two Impressa WRX's running but both cars were unable to complete the rally as was the much favoured 4WD Honda Civic of Rizvi Farook, and the Nissan GTIR of Rohan de Silva and Rohan Speldewinde.
Overall results are as follows: 1st Dinesh Deheragoda, driving a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 2nd Mansoor Hassan, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution; 3rd Javid Wahab driving a Toyota Sprinter; 4th Nishan Weerasooriya, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer 5th Reyaz Farook, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution; 6th Sheran Fernando, driving a Citroen Xantia; 7th Nadeera Jinasena driving a Nissan March; 8th Shirendra Lawrence driving a Citroen Xsara; 9th Romani de Silva driving a Suzuki Swift; 10th Samin Arthanayake, driving a Mitsubishi Pejero.
By Bernie Wijesekera
Sri Lanka's utility player former Royalist Asanga Rodrigo, has been appointed the Captain of the CR and FC by the outgoing committee. It was ratified at the annual general meeting held recently.
CR, could look forward to enjoy a successful season under Rodrigo, a bundle of energy who plays his heart out for the team. He plays hard, but clean open rugby, but still maintains its spirit at all times. He takes over from Kishan Musafer. Last year CR won the President's Trophy and the Under-24 championship.
Rodrigo contacted by The Sunday Times after his appointment said, "I am pleased to lead the Red Shirts. Let's all bind together and enjoy this beautiful sport on and off the field.
CR, will be fielding a team with a blend of youth and experience. There are two outstanding schoolboys in the side. One is Roshan Peiris, who played regularly last season. He will be joined by Haren Kaluarachchi. There are quite a number of talented players turning out for practices. This will keep the seniors on their toes.
The hierarchy is giving us all support and encouragement with thus back up CR and should be a force to be reckoned with given the opportunity one must make it. We are working hard and will go flat out. But if we still fail then it's just bad luck," Rodrigo said.
Payments to players
According to Treasurer, Uddaka Tennakoon, CR and FC, is essentially a rugby playing club. The cost to running a season is a temendous financial burden on its coffers, year after year. Today even finding sponsors is doubly a difficult task.
Therefore the new general committee has to take an early decision to iron out the issues such as payments to players.
His prudent handling of funds, helped CR to be financially viable. He has been entrused with the job for the ensuing year, too.
All officials were uncontested.
President - Michael Mathysz, Deputy Pres. Chula Dharmadasa, Gen.Sec.- Vasantha Ratnayake, Treasurer- Uddaka Tennakoon, Vice-Pres. Vipula Dharmadasa, Past Pres.- Manik Perera, Bar.Sec.- R. Fernando, Capt of other Games - Dilroy Fernando, Chairman Sponsorship - Feroze Suhaib, Chairman Rugby Board - Lasitha Gunaratne.
Hon. Life Member- Raji De Sylva. – B.W
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