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Sports

Cricket coach Jansz felicitated
In view of the completion of 25 years of Cricket Coaching of former cricket coach Noel Jansz of St. Anthony's College, Wattala will be felicitated by the past cricketers and past captains on May 3, at Kalyani Mawatha, Wattala.

Out of his 25 years of coaching, he has coached at St. Anthony's College, Wattala for almost 20 years and it is a well known fact that Jansz had devoted his precious time and energy, towards college cricket free of charge. He looked after cricketers' welfare and not only as coach, but he was a guardian for the entire cricketers.

Jansz was also a past cricket captain of St. Anthony's College, Wattala who did yeamon services to cricketers who had shown their aptitude and capabilities.
He has produced good cricketers like, Hirantha Perera (Boy Cricketer - 1983).

Priyantha Munasinghe (Best Batsman- 1988), Manjula Munasinghe (Represented the National team), Upul Fernando (Represented Sri Lanka Schools Under 19), Elvis Koelmeyer (Best All-rounder 1984). Ravi Karunanayake (Best Fielder 1982), Ajith Alexander, (Runner-up, Best bowler- 1982) and Emil Diaz (Runner-up and most Popular School boy Cricketer 1985) All the past cricketers and captains trained by him will participate in this ceremony.Sri Lanka's bowling star Chaminda Vaas was also coached by Noel Jansz when he attended St. Anthony's Wattala. Chaminda Vaas will also be attending Jansz's felicitation ceremony on May 3.

OZSC's vision to promote rugby
Old Zahirians Sports Club will be playing 'A' Div. rugby (league) for the third successive year, said its president Nuhuman Hussain, in an interview with The Sunday Times. Barring CR&FC, Havelocks SC and CH&FC - Old Zahirians are the only other club in the metropolis who have been playing continuous rugby for the past ten years.

The club has been able to continue, thanks to the support afforded to them by the old boys and well-wishers. In its wake they have given playing opportunities to schoolboys to be in continuity after leaving school. The players are not confined only to Zahira, but to school leavers from Ananda, Wesley, Nalanda, St. Benedict's etc., he said. This will give the youngsters playing opportunities rather than sitting on a bench, Hussain added.

Old Zahirians need support and a sponsor to spread the rugby gospel. He has made an appeal to the Minister of Sports and to the Rugby Union to this effect. The Rugby Union should encourage more new clubs to be formed. This means more exposure for the youngsters.

The SLRFU should do well to utilize the IRB funds to help develop emerging clubs.
This was told by its Rep. Jamie Scott, who was here last year for the Singer-SriLankan Airline rugby Sevens in Kandy.

What are your plans for the coming season? The club has put up an infrastructure with an eye for the future. We may not win trophies but we will give an improved performance. Former Sri Lankan stalwart and old Zahirian Hisham Abdeen will be their coach, with Fazal Burah as the manager. Diehard rugby supporter, Ahamad Fazlee will be the chairman. The management is totally committed. Zahira is one of the oldest rugby playing schools in the country.

The institution has produced some exciting players at national level. One of them is Abdeen, who later went to Isipathana. He learnt his skills and made his name at the Maradana school. Hisham is the first to lead a Lankan team on the inaugural Welsh tour. (BW)

Panadura Rugby Club is here to stay
Rugby football bug has come to stay since the formation of the Panadura Rugby Club in 1994. Thanks to the encouragement and support rendered by the Western Province RFU's development programme. Lads from Royal, Panadura, Sri Sumangala, Moratu M.V., and Piliyandala Central have joined the scrum.

"There is tremendous enthusiasm among the youngsters", said Pradeep Fernando who is coaching the team when interviewed by The Sunday Times. Incidentally, Pradeep was the first Captain of the Club. He played for the Air Force as a volunteer and later joined the Club.

When asked who is promoting rugby and helping the club, "There is not much help coming our way barring from the Western Pro. Rugby Union". Its present President, Fazal Mohamed is giving us all encouragement to be in continuity. The team is virtually a schoolboy side, who played in the Le Bond U-24 tournament', said Fernando. It's being led by hooker P. Indika Fernando. About 35 players are in the squad. They are physically small, but nippy.

This was evident when the lads ran with the ball at every given turn. The squad is afforded with a technical officer, Ajith Fernando, who is helping in the development of the skills. Is there any sponsors - Yes. Enfield paints sponsored us to take part in the U-24 tournament.

Plans are afoot for the team to play in the forthcoming Rugby Union's 'B' league tournament. In our first attempt to play in the 'B' league, is to give that much-needed exposure for the boys to indulge in competitive rugby, said Pradeep.

Panadura has made a name in cricket and boxing. Quite a number of players have excelled at cricket. K. Edwin in boxing won a medal at the Empire Games in Auckland. Energetic young fast bowler Ravindra Pushpakumara, a national player now playing for N.C.C. is also a product of Panadura.

Evergreen Brig. P. D. Ramanayake, who did yeoman service for the Army rugby hails from St. John's Panadura to assist this emerging club to be in continuity and lead a contended life through sports. In the end they will be able to forget the ones that stress their lives.

This could be achieved by indulging in physical training regularly. To win trophies is good. The Rugby Union, must get the support of the Ministry of Sports and map out an infrastructure to help the under-privileged and emerging new clubs.

Faizul Hamid, a senior official of Hameedias, was the chief guest. He said that he will continue to support rugby in the district and assist the organisers in the years to come, to uplift the game help among the less privileged youth. (BW)

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