Sports

Sports

Gamage is top Air Force sportsman
By Bernie Wijesekera
Sports inculcate to bring about fellowship leadership, team spirit and to face setbacks on and off the field. Further it has to be played for the right reasons, said Tilak Marapana, the Minister of Defence, Transport, Highways, at the Air Force Colours Nite held at the BMICH, on March 12. Mr. and Mrs. Marapona were the chief guests.

Sports could play a vital role for servicemen to confront setbacks with grit and determination. Tilak himself an old Thomian knows what Thomian grit is all about. The support and encouragement the Sri Lanka Air Force has given to their rank and file despite exigencies of duty must be commended, he added.

It's heartening that sportsmen and sportswomen who displayed their skills had done proud for the Airmen and to the country at national level. It has been a concerted team effort by the Air Force Sports Council headed by Air Marshal Donald Perera, who has done an excellent job to honour those, who have worked hard to reach stardom - with determination, dedication and devotion. Hope the good work will be continued in the years to come.

Air Marshal Perera thanked Minister Marapana and his wife to have graced the occasion and for the audience from all walks of life who were present to mark to honour the sportsmen and sportswomen, who have achieved standards to be on par at national level. This couldn't have been achieved if not for the discipline and determination. Of course the coaches have contributed much to this effect. Indulge within the laws of the game, he said.

One should not sulk over setbacks. If you don't lose then you don't know how to win. Via sports one could bring about reconciliation. One must always strive to maintain the spirit of the game. Winning trophies in the end is forgotten, but how you play the game that matters, Marshal Perera said.

The Colours Nite was sandwiched with a musical extravaganza. The airmen have dominated rifle shooting at national level - both men and women who have proved their mettle to be reckoned in the international scene. Today most sportsmen hail from rural schools unlike in the past when the schoolboys from the elite schools joined the Services. At present the rural youth show more commitment and determination. It's here the services are harnessing talent at grassroots level.

The hockey team has excelled and was invited to take part in the Oman Open Tournament. The prestigious Varatharasa Trophy - 2002 for the most outstanding sportsman went to Sri Lanka fast bowler Lakshitha Gamage. Incidentally Gamage was in the tour party to S. Africa for the two Test series last year. He has been consistently performing well at the BCCSL tournaments and richly deserves this Trophy.

Kingswood goes out as favourites
By Aubrey Kuruppu
The 15th Dharmaraja-Kingswood limited over match scheduled for today at the Asgiriya Stadium is as open as usual. Last week's Big Match was inconclusive and did not resolve any issues.

With slightly more depth, both in batting and bowling, Kingswood has a bit of an edge with skipper Wattegedera, Liyanage, Ariyadasa, Weeraratne, Senaratne and Dissanayake expected to chip in with contributions.

Kingswood has an interesting trio of spinners in Niroshan Perera (left arm), Senaratne (off spin) and Asiri Amerasinghe (right arm leg). They bowl tidily and effectively.
Dharmaraja's batting has been too reliant on skipper Wijekoon. He would, I am certain, like to finish his school career with a big knock in this game. Kapugedera is another who has been among the runs. He tends to throw it away at times. Chandratilleka, Weerasuriya, Ariyadasa and Wijetilleka (a half centurion last week) will have to shore up the innings.

Dharmaraja's bowling is all about left arm spinner Amal Ekanayake. He could quite easily pick up a few wickets in his quota of overs. Off spinner Asanka Samarakoon is another who needs close watching. Dharmaraja and Kingswood are tied on six wins each in the series. Two games have ended in no results.

In reality, there isn't very much to choose between these teams. Their play on the day will decide the issue.

Teams:
Dharmaraja: (from); Muditha Wijekoon (Capt), Kelum Ariyadasa, Mahes Weerasuriya, Jayampathy Chandratilleka, Amal Ekanayake, Chamara Kapugedera, Maduka Rajapakse, Eranda Abeysinghe, Asanka Samarakoon, Upul Karunaratne, Upesh Wijesiri, Gayan Wijetilleka, Gayan Nadunge, Channa Nadunge, Rukshan Suriyaarachchi.

Kingswood (from); Milinda Wattegedera (Capt), Rachitha Liyanage, Rajith Ariyadasa, Varuna Dharmaratne, Iruka Weeraratne, Hemal Kumarage, Asiri Amerasinghe, Sumudu Wijesinghe, Minimuthu Dissanayake, Gihan Ekanayake, Indika Senaratne, Deminda Dahanaike, Chaturange Samarakoon, Malinda Ratnayake, Kasun Amerasinghe.

Lyceum International Wattala bags 25 medals
Lyceum International School Wattala branch has become a force to be reckoned with, in International School Athletics, when it bagged a total of 25 medals at the recently concluded Inter-International Schools Athletic meet organised by Gateway International School at the Sugathadasa Stadium.Lyceum International Wattala branch which is only 18 months old did well to come and grab the 8th place in the overall championship out of fourteen International Schools.

The 25 medals won by Lyceum Wattala athletes, include 8 golds, 6 silver and 11 bronze shared among 15 boys and girls.To add to the glamour, these youngsters bettered 3 meet records, two by K.H.D.Kaushalya Sajeevani in 50m and 75m girls Under 9 events with times of 8.4 seconds and 12.5 seconds respectively and by the girls under 9 team in 4x50m relay event. The record breaking relay team comprised, K.H.D. Kaushalya Sajeevani, Pasini Withanage, Yasavi Wijewantha and Devdu Ratnasiri.

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