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Kandy
rugby 7s hold the promise of exciting fare Outlining the arrangements for the three-day event on September 13 and 14, the Chairman of the Organising Committee Iswan Omar spoke of the need for giving a strong Asian identity to the Rugby Sevens. The ultimate aim being the achievement of IRB status for this prestigious tournament. In lighter vein, he quipped that adequate measures have been taken to deal with 'streakers'. He was of course referring to an incident two years back when two foreign players 'streaked' across the ground. Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte, the President of Kandy Sports Club, while adding to the remarks made by Iswan Omar, dwelt on the performance of the Kandy players in the league season and the knock-out tournament as well. Hemaka Amerasuriya in his remarks emphasised the fact that sponsorship is tied up with successful performance. The more success the better for the sponsors seemed to be the theme. He wished the Rugby 7s well. At the same time, he pointed out that the game of rugby in Sri Lanka has not quite reached the dizzy heights cricket has reached. However he pointed out that the contribution of Singer Sri Lanka would always be forthcoming. Hyacinth de Silva of SriLankan Airlines expressed the view that in combining with Singer Sri Lanka, they were on to a winner. The partnership had been most fruitful and mutually rewarding. Associated on the podium were Messrs. Malik Samarawickrema, Priyantha Ekanayake and Asitha Abeysekera (of Singer Sri Lanka). The international action starts on Saturday, with the sixteen teams divided into two groups. South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Arabian Gulf, Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Netherlands, Chinese Taipei, Portugal, Kenya and Sri Lanka are the participating teams. Asian powerhouse, Japan, will be giving this tournament a miss, as they hope to concentrate on other events. Chinese Taipei, who have figured in all three finals so far, will be the team to watch, the cynosure of all eyes, so to speak. The Sri Lankans just made it to the semis last year but their chances of repeating the performance or of even going one better have already nosedived on account of the injury suffered by the diminutive (yet, in a sense, towering) Sanjeeva Jayasinghe. He confessed sadly to the writer that his 2002 season seems to be over. While Kingswood deserve the plaudits for having been the first school in the island to have played rugby, Kandy's other schools have slowly but surely taken the cue today, they more than hold their own against their Colombo counterparts. Tharanga,
Kaushalya take Bloomfield closer to title
Defending a modest 190 reigning Champions Bloomfield came back fighting with their two young right arm medium pacers Weeraratne and Lakshita leading the way. Lakshita celebrated his inclusion in the Sri Lanka A tour to Pakistan as he had the Chillaw Marians batsmen in trouble with his lively pace and accuracy. The lad from Matara who displays a good physique sent down 16 overs as he picked up six wickets for 32 runs that broke the back of the Marians. Giving him good support was the former Trinitian and Sri Lanka one day Internantional all-rounder Kaushalya Weeraratne. The duo ensured that Chillaw Marians never recovered after they lost their first wicket before scoring. Only Hasantha Fernando offered any resistance as he battled to top score with a sedate 35. Enjoying a lead of 91 runs Bloomfield made sure that the good work done by their medium pacers will not be undone as they reached a commanding 252/5 by the close. Stylish opening batsmen Ian Daniel was in devastating form compiling a typically flamboyant century. Daniel completed a fine 117 off 131 balls with the help of 19 boundaries. Together with Kaushal Lokuarachchi (67) he added 138 runs for the second wicket as Bloomfield ended the day on 252/5 an overall lead of 343 runs. Bloomfield-190 & 252/5 at close (Ian Daniel 117, Kaushal Lokuarachchi 67, Duminda Perera 39, Thilina Kandambi 19) Chillaw Marians- 99 all out( Hasantha Fernando 35; Tharanga Lakshita 6/32, Kaushalaya Weeraratne 3/42) Top
field for Kandy marathon The organisers held the run successfully at Galle in 1999. This was followed by the marathon in Negombo and in 2001 the run took place in Kandy. This year too it will be staged in Kandy. Entries for the event will close on September 20. Participants from Germany, Japan,India and Singapore are expected to be in the fray. The national carrier, SriLankan Airlines in all probability assist foreign media men to cover the event. This is part
of the Government's tourist promotion project via sports. Last year the event was won by Indrajith Cooray of the Army with a time of 2 hours, 19 mts, 51 secs. S.K. Chandradasa Anuradha was second with a time of 2 hrs. 30 mts, 59 secs and S. Balasubramaniam was third. (B.W) Simarjeet
wins Open golf title The Ladies too was an All- India final played over 36 holes. Praneita Gerwal (India ranked No 2) beat Shruti Khanna 7 & 6. Khanna in the semis scored an upset win over India's No 1 LadiesAmaterur golfer Irina Brar. Former Wesleyite allround sportsman Sarath Wickremaratne - a consistent performer at the RCGC - did well to stall Dr. C. Thurairajah's run of success. Sararth won the senior open gross event by one stroke to bag the Havelocks Cup. 'Thurai' has won this trophy for eight successive years. Wickremaratne combining with Sunil Jayakody and Derek Wijeratne won the team event (both gross and nett) to bag the Dudley Senanayake Trophy and the Levers Shield - B.W (See P-19 for earlier report) |
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