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Royal
sweep the board St Michael's
Batticaloa did well to be placed third in the Under 13 event. Ananda
finished third in the Under 11. Nalanda was placed third in the
Under 15 and 17 event while S.Thomas' finished third in the Under
19 event. Cash
donation to 'Susi' S.J., who performed well recently in Japan has now moved to Spain to take part in another international meet, in Spain. Daham Wimalasena, who is the co-ordinator for Jayasinghe is making all arrangements for the presentation, which will be personally handed over to her by Edward Gray, who is a senior member of the Sri Lanka Sports Foundation in Melbourne, Australia. Eddie said, the Lankans domiciled in Melbourne are very keen to help Jayasinghe in her quest to win a 'Gold' at the Athens Games. Besides they are keen to assist needy talented sportsmen with men and material for their future betterment. A schoolboy from St. Sylvester's has been funded to learn and play. B.W. ICC's
generous contribution to Asian Council The five regional Reps. who attended the meeting were :- Hossain Ayub (Africa) Tom Tikolo (East Africa), Zakir Hussein Syed (Asia), Ian Steuart (Europe) and Tim Anderson (East Asia Pacific). The discussion virtually went on till late afternoon. Eade was interviewed by The Sunday Times, after the meeting. He said, the aim of the ICC was to spread its wings (cricket) to make it a global sport. In the process give all encouragement and support to the emerging nations to develop it at grassroots level. All the five regions are making good progress. They are working to a plan in their endeavour to make it a game to be enjoyed by all. Is there any problem? No corruption whatsoever. They love the sport and all are committed. Cricket was started in England as a summer sport played by two sides - one out in the field and one in. When both sides have been in and out, including the not out, that's the end of the game. Yes. Andrew said, the game is fast catching up in the Asian region- with full four members - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and B'desh. Besides five associate members - Hong Kong, Malaysia, S'pore, U.A.E. and Nepal and 14 affiliates - some of them are Kuwait, Thailand, Oman, Qatar, Brunei, Bahrain etc. In all 23 nations are playing cricket. Nepal, is picking up fast. Its coach is former Sri Lanka's batting stylist, Roy Dias. He is doing a good job. The ICC gives the ACC a donation of US (dollars) 3.2 million. Earlier its chairman was former president of the BCCSL, Thilanga Sumathipala. Though there is no representative from the US, but the ICC is making all aveunes for the promotion of the game in the States. Andrew said the game has to be enjoyed without let or hindrance. At present it is highly professional among the full-member nations with sponsorship packages. The five representatives
who attended the meeting agreed that the dignity and the spirit
of the game must be maintained at all cost. That's what cricket
is all about. The ICC is helping the emerging nations with men and
material for its development, Andrew Eade, added.- BW
Valuable
tips for aspiring cricket coaches Spearheaded and organised by former President of the BCCSL Thilanga Sumathipala the ICCC which was attended by 124 delegates around the world was a rousing success. The participants comprised of 15 foreigners from Singapore, India, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Bangladesh among them there was also the West Indian coach Roger Harper, Anil Kalvar and T. Shekar. What an experience it was for the starving coaches who had not an opportunity to undergo an experience of this sort. The first ever conference of this nature with former England captain, allrounder and presently TV commentator Tony Greig as the conference director. A person with immense experience in all aspects of cricket. Bob Woolmer acting as course director who is considered as one of the finest coaches of the modern era. Having spent several successful seasons with English county Warwickshire later crossed over to spearhead South Africa to unprecedent heights in a short period. They were supported by three of the best figures in Barry Richards, John Buchanan and Stephen Rixon... experts in their own fields. Barry Richards played only four tests for his country all which were against Australia. South Africa's isolation with the rest of the world denied him a chance of parading his talent. But he continued to play first class cricket representing Natal, Hampshire and South Australia. A career spanning from 1964 to 1983 was on a class of his own cracking centuries before lunch on nine occasions and has the honour of scoring 325 in a day against Western Australia and scoring more than 1,000 runs in a season 15 times. John Buchanan though not a successful cricketer at the highest level has made a name for himself as a successful coach. Regarded as a shrewd tactician capable of producing champion teams which he is doing at the moment. Stephen Rixon known as Steve one of the best wicket keepers that Australia has produced next to Wally Grout and Rodney Marsh has turned out to be a successful coach. These five personalities entertained the 124 delegates with the finer points in modern cricket coaching such as traditional game and new technology, advanced technology to develop techniques, the most effective way to develop young cricketers, issues facing coaches, the basics of technology and coaching, the fine art of batting, bowling and wicket keeping, real approach to a champion team and many more. Bob Woolmer started off the conference advising the delegates that the best age to mould a child is nine years and coaches should not overcrowd with children for the sake of making money if they are practicing privately. A crowd between 20 to 40 children would be the ideal figure. A child could improve his cricket if he gets involved with other field sports such as hockey, golf, tennis and table tennis as these have the similar pattern of strokes as cricket. The child should be taught the forward and back defence which is very essential for a batsman and he should be taught to defend his wicket and not to get his stumps hit. Children are 25 percent weaker than those who were over 30 years ago due to all the comfort they get nowadays. The game is getting advanced and the coaches should read and learn all the modern techniques if they are to produce good players. And the most important advice Bob gave was that a child should never be questioned for his faliures and anyone punishing a child should be never be a coach. John Buchanan empasised that psycology and close relationship among players has been the main ingredient in the Australian team being in this position at both the level of the games. He advised that a team should never panic when they are at a loss. Most teams panic when they do not have a strategy and a plan while approaching a match. In cricket the game is stopped between overs and the captain has time to make any alterations unlike in football, rugger or basketball. Players with a height are a better advantage to a team. The Australians have that advantage. A coach should be honest and disciplined if he is looking forward in producing a champion team. John mentioned that the one day games should be revamped and that he is not in favour of having two captains, one for the test matches and the other for one dayers. Steve Rixon fit as he was during his playing days gave some valuable tips on wicket keeping. Team spirit is necessary and if you don't trust your preparation you will never succeed. Asking for help or advice is strength and not a weakness. Praise loudly and blame softly, innovate the child and give him confidence. That is the main duty of a coach. Never sit on your achievements and praise your winnings as it is sheer team work that produces the result. |
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