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Foreign
coach to boost CH rugby According to CH&FC rugby manager, Rizley Illyas, the club is open to all school leavers, who are keen to develop their skills under Lee. The development programme which include for juveniles, too - Under-13 and 15. Illyas said it will train them on the latest basics, will stand in good stead for their future betterment. The committee
has also got the services of three former Sri Lanka stalwarts, "lock"
Nazeem Mohamed, centre. Graham Raux and Imthy Marikkar who will
co-ordinate with Lee. Lee at present is following a hurricanes (NZ)
advanced coaching course. Lee has a storehouse of knowledge pertaining modern rugby skills. He also followed 1995-99 Scottish Rugby Union's Super Coaching Sessions. In 1992, passed the Level 2 and 3 coaching course organised by the Wellington RU. ITS
Lions keep on roaring The semi-finals saw one of the match ups of the tournaments as I.T.S. met heavy weights, Moratuwa 'A' in a typical 'David-Goliath' clash. A dramatic ending to the I.T.S. fairy tale was on the cards, but as the instinctive predators the Lions were, saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat after trailing 12 points to nil at the breather. Twilight seemed to be coming too soon for the Lions and eventually was seen sharing the winner's cup with the lads from Jayewardenepura 'A'. The repercussions of this accomplishment will be highlighted as it is the first time a private university has reached such a pinnacle. The institution has in the past struggled with the lack of fixtures in a way of a proper league, but one thing is for sure, this win would have opened a lot of people's eyes. There is talent in private institutions; it's our rugby's untapped resource and it is I.T.S. who has paved the way into the island's rich sporting heritage. Sri
Lanka's upcoming tour of England After the beating they received at the hands of Pakistan in the final and the loss of their champion off spinner Muttaih Muralitharan to a shoulder injury, Sanath Jayasuriya and coach Dav Whatmore will have to play a key role in resurrecting the lost confidence of the players and restoring their shattered morale before they take on England in the three Test series next month. Murali is a key player in our team. He has won many Tests and one dayers for us. His absence in England will be a big loss. We will miss him. However that is cricket. We have to take these things as they come, said skipper Sanath Jayasuriya who will be leading Sri Lanka for the first time on a three Test series to England. The test series will be followed with a triangular tournament which will also feature India. Selectors
to be blamed It is also high time that the Cricket Board and the Ministry of Sports agree to appoint selectors for at least a three year period or more, instead of changing them every time there is Cricket Board election or a change in the Interim Committee. This will help the selectors to draw up long term plans, be more focused on their tasks and work towards achieving them. Sharjah Cup
finals But in the next two tournaments the Lankans were at the receiving end. As skipper Sanath Jayasuriya summed it up at the post match interview, its best we forget this game. Despite losing an important toss and star spinner Muralitharan early, cricket fans in Sharjah and in Sri Lanka expected the team to take up the challenge, but it was not to be. The Sharjah Cup final ended, with Sri Lanka being on the losing side again. A
brilliant show by Pakistan Whilst disaster accompanied the Sri Lankans all through that final in Sharjah, the Pakistanis glittered with a sterling performance. Their pre-final game against New Zealand set the stage. They cut back a productive start by the Kiwis. Then clawed their way to restrict the opposition to a getable score. After which they batted with purpose. The youthful combination of Saeed Afridi and Imran Nazir directing the way to an absolutely convincing win. Sri Lanka's tactics were based on the opening bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa bowling twelve to fourteen overs without giving too many. They had succeeded to a great extent in the earlier games. Having lost the toss, the initial overs were going to be vital, particularly as they were going to be up against an in form Pakistan opening pair. Both Vaas and Zoysa were inconsistent in line and length. Although the dismissals of Afridi and Rashid Latiff came early and Pakistan were 32 for 2, runs flowed freely. Four runs per over was what should have been concealed in the initial ten overs. That was not to be. When the century was hoisted in the fifteenth over, the foundation had been laid for a total in excess of two hundred and sixty. With Muralitharan out of the firing line all the Sri Lankans could hope was that the bowlers used could strangle the opposition between the twentieth and fortieth overs. That did happen upto a point. With the score on 136 for 4, they had a semblance of a chance to get back into the game. The need at that stage was to pick up two wickets. It would have been the ideal stage for Muralitharan to operate. His ten-over spell was badly missed. Only Upul Chandana made an impression. He bowled consistently throughout the tournament, indicating that he is now ready to deliver more for the team. Vaas, Zoysa and Charitha Buddhika were used for more overs than what Jayasuriya would have wanted to. They went for around or more than six an over. To score 296 runs against an attack consisting of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoiab Akthar, Abdul Razak, Saqlain Mushtaq and possibly Saeed Afridi is a tough ask. It required Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardena, Marvan Atapattu and Kumar Sangakkara to fire. Runs had to be got and got quickly and consistently. Jayasuriya and Sangakkara were on course for a brief period. The departure of Jayasuriya ignited the Pakistani machine, Shoaib bowled at a frightening pace. The ball hit the pitch hard and flaw onto the bat. The Sri Lankan batsman just could not read him. On his second spell captain Waqar sent down a few unplayable deliveries. In next to no time the entire batting line up was decimated to shreds. Whatmore, Jayasuriya and the team will have to rush back to the drawing board. They experienced the blasting they could get for a top team in form. They also experienced life minus Muttiah Muralitharan. Yousuf Youhana played an innings that will be stored in the top shelf on one day batting performances. He scored 129 runs. During this stay at the crease he faced 13l deliveries - nearly a run a ball - and played a knock that was complete with all cricketing strokes. A master class on batsmanship. The Pakistanis played to their best potential. At present they have a lethal combination of youth and experience. Waqar, Wasim and Inzamam still drawing from deep within. Imran and Younis Khan have shed their boyish talents and have embraced responsibility. Afridi, Youhana, Latif, Saqlain, Shoaib and Razak are coming close to their best. With all roads now leading to the 2003 March World Cup, Pakistan are harnessing a top class outfit, well led by Waqar Younis. At Sharjah they were brilliant. To maintain this form will certainly be their goal from now on. Veteran
TT players launch peace tour to Germany In view of the ongoing peace process this year's AGSEP Table Tennis tour will emphasise on supporting the peace process by inviting all German Clubs to play at least one exhibition match in uncleared areas of Sri Lanka and by doing so, help to promote the game in areas where practically no sports were promoted during the last 18 years. The Veteran Table Tennis players will be accommodated and looked after by the German Table Tennis Clubs. The German tour will cover towns such as Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich. This is the 12th Tour of Germany which has been organised by the AGSEP for Sri Lankan teams in the last 12 years since it was founded under the patronage of former Minister Mr. Festus Perera and his wife Larine Perera, who is presently representing Puttalam District in Parliament. The following players will make the tour organised by the AGSEP in collaboration with German Table Tennis Clubs. The tour party: Chef De Mission: Mr. P.N. Pestonjee. Manager: Mr. Tiran Peiris. Players: Mr. W.A. Buddhasiri, former national player, TT coach Abans Group of Companies, Mr. Sarath Wijesooriya (National Savings Bank), Mr. M. Gunawardena (National Savings Bank), Mr. Daya Samaraweera (Supdt. of Police Trincomalee), Mr. Rajiva Wijetunga (Deputy General Manager Ceylinco Shriram), Mr. Kiron Shenoy (Group Director Pan Asia Group of Companies), Mr. Jayasiri Ittapana (Manager Internal Audit Print Care Ltd.), Mrs. Namal Gunasekera (Lake House) and Mrs. Ama Suraweera (Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation) Note
by the Sports Editor Probably they were not aware that the scheduled time has been changed or that the match ending in disaster, with the star-studded SSC team going down meekly to suffer one of their worst defeats. Further the Plate Final between Chilaw Marians-Sebastianites SL, was in progress on the adjoining grounds (NCC) Marians, came from behind to pip on the post. Anything could happen until the last ball is bowled in this glorious game of uncertainties. What's the hurry by the organisers, who again blundered which has been going on far, too long in recent times. There should have been proper planning. In the end it became a laughing stock. Were the receipients informed that the organisers got the advice of a "fortune teller" that the prestigious Premier League will end before tea on the third day. Isn't a comedy of errors. Last year, too it happened at the same venue, in the Hatna Trophy 50-over final between Chilaw Marians and Negombo CC. Marians won the match. The cheque for the winners was made at the Dressing room. An official of Chilaw Marians had to go to Cricket Board to collect the trophy. Crying shame. This was a final between two outstation teams. Why this step-motherly treatment for outstation teams, one journalist asked. The present
officials of the CB are well paid unlike in the past (including
the media) when they served in an honorary capacity. At present
they are found wanting. Munsoor
wins from baize to turf He picked a handsome award from Prestige Motors the BMW folk and celebrated at home with Munchee & Zesta Tea. Murad Ismail came behind with a comfortable nett 70 off a handicap of nine and Doc. Thurairaja came smart on a nett par round 71. After a long spell of good golf Anel de Silva got untidy and ended on net 78 again. "B"
Division Khan played intelligently, Miserly with his strokes he used them effectively and ended up all smiles but obviously with some regret that he missed the award. However, he had cause to celebrate with the best gross score in this Division. There were several other impressive rounds with Neil Chanmugam striking the best nett 68, followed by Sidat Wettimuny nett 69, Sarath Piyaratne nett 69, Bandula Weerasinghe nett 69, Wenders Shied nett 70 and Dilanka Pieris nett 71. Confetti Mithun Excels A stunning nett 63 was what the chubby mid teenager collected to take the "C" Division BMW Trophy and smile all the way home to his doting mother. H.A.S. Madanayake was as outstanding showing flashes of brilliance and outstanding putting. His front nine was absolutely great but unfortunately his rear nine could not match Mithun and he lost the lead. Two great performances,. 67 played in this Division and unbelieveably there were 35 centurions and 7 others who contributed to confetti. Chula Ariyaratne's century stunned his partners on the course but caused much amusement to his buddies who crowd round a circle at the merry 19th. Senior Masters He completed a super round of nett 68 which is 3 under his handicap 11. Excellent performance for a not so young man. Doc.C.Thurairaja the present President of the R.C.G.C. stamped his class as an "A" Division player with a commendable nett per round. Sponsors
Too young Contracts Ten and family
not too many Ravi good choice Many stalwarts of the sports both former and present were of the opinion that his appointment was good, since he is a No-nonsense man. |
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