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Sports

Brig. Ramanayake honoured by the 'Golden Oldies'
By Bernie Wijesekera
Brig. P.D. Ramanayake one of the pioneers, who did much to uplift sports in the Army at grassroots level, during his time is one of the forgotten heroes. In the autumn of his life he still continues to watch rugby whenever the soldiers and his club CR & FC scrum down.

P.D. did much to help rural youth to uplift their image via sports and even enticed them to join the Army. Unlike today it was not easy to join the Army even as a Sapper. But he used his good offices to help them. He had loving kindness and compassion to help them in whatever form.

Rugby football was his first love. Where the likes of Nevile Sheddon, S.P. de Silva, Amaradasa Edwin, H.K. Jayaratne, M.P. Fernando, K.P. Weerasinghe, T.D. Mendis, B.D. Piyadasa learnt the skills after joining the Army - thanks to Ramanayake.

Fittingly, he was honoured by the rank and file namely Brig. Jupana Jayawardena, Col. Haren Malwatte, Col. Saliya Udugama, Brig. Krishnaratne, 'Ganja' Mohamed etc., at a simple ceremony after the Army-CH & FC match at Galle Face on Aug. 17.

Some of them even made a special trek to his residence to say Thank you (for all what he has done) for their uplift and to his charming wife to enjoy many more miles and miles of happiness.

When Brig. Ramanayake was interviewed by The Sunday Times he said Firstly, he was proud to have joined the Army after his academic career, in the University. He also said that he loves sport and for its development among the soldiers. Some of them have done proud for the country at national level. Army produced some outstanding athletes too, besides rugby.

The Army team comprising Ameradasa, Podimahataya, Wimaladasa and Gunasiri, broke the 4x100m national record. Ameradasa joined the Army in 1965 from Katukelle MV. He was a fine athlete and a Public Schools champion in the 100 and 200M and won a Duncan white Scholarship. He gave up athletics to play rugby. Ameradasa said he was grateful to Brig. Ramanayake, who nursed him.

Later played for Defence Services and Sri Lanka in the 1970 Asiad which team was led by Hadji Omar which team included Y.C. Chang, Holdenbottle, Jupana Jayawardena at that time representing the Havies. Today 'Amere' is attached to the Rugby Union as a technical officer. Ameradasa, said he was grateful to Brig. Ramanayake, Maj. Gen.Nalin Seneviratne, Brig. Sena de Sylva, and late Lt. Gen.Denzil Kobbekaduwa for helping him.

Double International
S.P. De Silva, now working in Kuwait (on vacation) was there to say the two simple words to him - Thank you 'It was Brig. P.D. who took me to the Army as a soccer player from Kalutara Vidyalaya. Joined as a Sapper played as half back and winger (soccer). Initially played in the inter-unit rugby and was coached by Roy Tissera. Later he was able to represent the Army (in both soccer and rugby) and later at the national level.

Played for the Army in five Cup finals and won three of them. The most unforgettable moment in my career was in 1973 in the Clifford Cup Final against the Police which team had 'Tanker' Ibrahim Hamid, Daya Jayasundera, Anton Benedict, Bandula Wijesinghe, Nimal Lewke etc. It ended in a thrilling draw - thanks to a 50-yard spot kick taken by S.P. de Silva, Army had Saliya Udugama Malwatte. Jupana Jayawardene, B. Musafer, 'Ganja' Mohamed, Rahu Wijesinghe, Ruparatne, M.F. Fernando, Wickramage, Chandana Rodrigo.

Soft-spoken Ramanayake, broughtforth nostalgic memories. In its wake anecdotes a sense of humour. It was a comedy of errors in the match between Army and Havelocks SC. The referee was Mike Christofellsz.

Burly Sarath Wijesinghe who was better known in field sports (Putt shot, Javelin and Discuss Throw) was noted for his rough house tactics on the field. It was a pre-played plan to give him the marching order for the slightest infringements. Edwin and Wijesinghe had the same physique and donned protective headgear. It made difficult to identify.

Referee Mike, thinking it was Sarath, but ordered off Edwin instead. At the inquiry held by the disciplinary committee, it was revealed that it was Edwin whom he ordered off but not Wijesinghe. A bad lapse on indeed. But in the end justice prevailed.

Brig. P.D. believed that credit must be given, where it was due he said, it initially rugby was promoted and developed by Eardley McHeyser, who later became the president of the Rugby Union. He encouraged the soldiers to take to the scrum, which paid dividends.

Alain to meet rusi in RCGC final
Sri Lanka's ace golfer Alain Gyi, will meet seasoned Rusi Captain in the RCGC Club final today (Sunday). This 36-hole gruelling contest will tee off at 7.30 a.m. Playing in ideal conditions in the first semi-final last morning, Gyi, had his own way to defeat 15-year-old Amrith de Soysa, three and two.

De Soysa, who has just returned after a three- week coaching camp in Florida failed to match Alain's skills. According to his local coach Pheroze Billimoria, it will take some time to adjust himself.

But in the second semi-final between Rusi Captain and Steurat Ritchie teed off at 7.30 a.m produced good golf. Both golfers played skilfully. Ritchie was one-up in the 9th hole. Rusi Captain playing like a skilful captain hit back to be two-up in the 13th hole.
Ritchie fought back to make it all-square at the 16th. Fortunes fluctuated pendulum-wise. Ritchie played a bad hole in the 17th, for Captain to be 1-up in the deciding (18th hole). Rusi won well to be 2-up to enter the final.

Todays final, will tee off at 7.30 am (first 18 holes) and a 36-hole endurance battle. Fitness will be a decisive factor. The second round will tee off at 1.30 p.m. It will boil down to a keen contest between two experienced golfers in the local circuit.

Celebrating their 'Golden Jubilee' in a big way
The unique International Schools rugby 7s will kick off at the CR & FC grounds on Sept. 7 and 8. An IRB approved Isipatana 7s will be creating history, when they will be celebrating their 'Golden Jubilee' in a big way. But this Int. Schools 7s takes pride of place, with eight overseas schools will scrum down.

The draw was held on Aug. 21, in the presence of First Secretary and Consul Australian High Commission, Diana Pearce, who drew the first lot held at the Grand Oriental Hotel, in the presence of other officials of the foreign participating nations, and sponsors. The meeting was chaired by the Principal of Isipatana, Upali Gunasekera. Dilroy Fernando Chairman of the organising committee, who was also present said the 2002 Int. Schools 7s was the main event of the 50th year commemoration programme.

It will add much flavour for everyone to enjoy 14 minutes of exciting rugby.
Dilroy, told The Sunday Times, Dilip Kumar, the Australian Rugby Board deputy Chairman, who has been helping and promoting rugby in his motherland (now domiciled in Australia) has afforded 'Patana' with all support to make it a reality. Kumar will be here to watch the two day excitement. He thanked all the sponsors who were present for giving them support. - B.W.

Four timer for Nigel at Nuwara Eliya races
By M.Shamil Amit
Sri lanka's ace horse race trainer Nigel Austin had a whale of a day at the Nuwara Eliya horse race meet held at the Nuwara Eliya race course yesterday. The race meet was organised by the Sri Lanka Turf Club in collaboration with the Paper Trade. Trainer Nigel Austin's horses was the toast at the meet watched by a large crowd. One of his win was the main event for the day which was the Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike Memorial Cup event on Ancient Warrior ridden owned by Nigel himeslf and ridden by star local jockey S.D.Lalith. The same combination won the race when it was last held in the year 2000.

Ashok Kumar and S.D. Lalith were the most successful jockeys at the meet with Ashok winning three and Lalith winning two from the seven events that were held for the day. Nigel started the day winning the first race of the day on Brave Heart ridden by Ashok Kumar then his horses won the second and third race. The other successful trainer of the day Gamini Jayaratne won the fourth and fifth race.

The sixth race which was the much looked forward race of the day where seven top class taking the starting point for this nine furlongs race. Saw Khaalis ridden by Ashok who had earlier won three races taking the lead in the start with Lalith trailing in last position. But five furlongs out Lalith using his experience closed in to take the lead which he maintained to win the race comfortably.The meet was well organised and a large crowd enjoyed a day of top class riding and well supported by the police.

Results :

* Five Star International Cup : 1. Brave Heart (Nigel Austin, Ashok Kumar), 2. Nangi Girl (Nigel Austin)

* Premier Agencies Cup : 1. Coconut Grove (Nigel Austin, S.D. Lalith), 2. Satin Streak

* Lidechsi Cup : 1. Sound of Whisper (Gamini Jayaratne, Ashok Kumar), 2. Intel

* Jupiter Trading Cup : 1. Nuclear Power (Gamini Jayaratne, Ravi Kumar), 2. Fire Cracker

* Swedish Trading Cup : 1. Perfect Placement (Gamini Jayaratne, Ashok Kumar), 2. Dancing Brave

* Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike Memorial Cup: 1. Ancient Warrior (Nigel Austin, S.D.Lalith), 2. Turn to Gold, 3. Libo Queen

* Food Brokers' Cup : 1. Korean Dancer (A. Abeyratne), 2. White Lightening

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