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officials are uncontested, barring BCCSL Presidency No player in the history of World Cricket just after retirement could have been appointed to a top post in the administration of a national cricket body. Not even the likes of Alan Border, Sunil Gavaskar, Clive Lloyd etc. He has now been appointed and he has to prove his administrative skills to uplift the image. Aravinda's motto - first a gentleman and then a cricketer. He has his own ups and downs, but still maintained the spirit of the game - be it on and off the field. Captained the World Cup team in 1992 staged in Australia and in New Zealand. He has done proud for the country, his family and his school D.S.S. M.V. He is prepared to listen to the views of others and their advice - that too the ones, who matters to him "No one is a Paragon of Virtue". He was elected to the high post after the nominations were closed on May 13. The game has hit rock bottom in the last few years - apparently due to politicians interfering in its administration. In its wake Interim committees, were made to drift like corks in the midocean. The game suffered immensely. To bring back to its glorious past, it needs a strong administration who will act without fear or favour. Apparently nepotism should not be allowed to raise its ugly head. 'Ara' knows, too well what's happening at the dressing room among the players and the management - be it on tour or otherwise. Now, Aravinda, is the most knowedgeable and senior official. All must rally around from whatever corner. He must transfer his words into deeds. He has played under varying conditions and has adjusted himself admirably. After the briefing he was interviewed by The Sunday Times. Probably you will oversee the cricket administration with your wide experience on and off the field you have seen how cricket is administered and run in other countries. 'People may doubt what you say. But they will always believe in what you do'. There should be total commitment by all. Special emphasis must be paid on fitness. This is a must at International level. At times even I have suffered. But it could be overcome with a concerted effort handled by a competent trainer. One has to forget about the past, the present is known, but the future is unknown. To overcome it needs an experienced and strong management, who will serve for the right cause. There should be two cricket teams to train in conjunction. The young hopefuls need regular exposure to gain experience to reach higher levels. Now we have to act to overcome the malady. A competent coach is a "must". It will be achieved within one month, he said. The presidency will be contested by the former president of the BCCSL and Asian Cricket Council, Thilanga Sumathipala. He will be contested by former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka's World Cup winning team in 1996. Whoever wins the race, 'Ara' will be an able lieutenant to handle and project the game as a cricket administrator. The administration should be more transparent especially with regard to handling of funds. People's Bank Chairman Lal Nanayakkara will oversee as he will be the new treasurer. The other officials who went uncontested - vice-president - A.J.M. Muzammil, Treasurer Lal Nanayakkara, Secretary - Mohan de Silva, Asst. Secretary, Trevor Rajaratnam. Asst. Treasurer, Lucien Merinnage. The AGM will be held at the Sports Ministry on June 6. Dunstan
wins Sports Media Karaoke The programme was conducted by Shanika Wanigasekara and the winning entry Englebert Humpedink's Blue Spanish Eyes, sung by Dunstan was adjudged as the best by the well-known vocalist Kithsiri Jayasekara. Dunstan started his musical career as a young student at St. Aloysius' College, Galle. He was in the College Choir and led the College Harmonica and Piano Accordion Band under the batton of late Rev. Fr. De' Burra S.J. He formed an orchestra combining the old boys and named it 'Oriental Gems', which was popular in the concerts. He formed the first beat group in Galle. The Zambezies with his brother Neville and an oriental orchestra with 22 members called 'The Southern Stars Orchestra'. He directed music for Sundera Samiya (Ideal Husband) by Kingsley Jayasekara and Wehelle Piyatilaka's 'Kala Netha' in aid of St. Mary's Cathedral Funds. Big
boost for CR&FC They have been in the forefront in promoting sports in Sri Lanka. This is the first time that they have joined the scrum to help a club team - CR & FC with a historic background in the local scene. CR is one of the oldest clubs in the scrum. Sports and Dialog has been synonymous here. It has given a helping hand to various disciplines - including the disabled (sports). Our aim is to help and encourage and promote young talent drawn from the rural districts Perera said. Are you going to help the less privileged youth, who are striving to forge ahead, even in this beautiful sport the future of rugby lies with them and the Services. Dialog is helping the Army rugby too . We are happy to be the principal sponsor for CR & FC and are confident with this package they will go places in the ongoing season. Chula. Dharmadasa, the former Sri Lanka second-row forward, the present president of CR chaired the meeting. He thanked Hans Wijesuriya the CEO Dialog GSM for pairing off with the Red Shirts. The Longden Place Club has a cherished history behind them - producing some of the best of the country. Late Kavan Rambukwelle Double International Mahes Rodrigo, Summa Navaratnam, Didacus AImeida, Indrajit Coomarasamy, just to name a few. This year's will be led by Shamly Nawaz - a team blended with youth and experience. With their grim determination and the support afforded by Dialog GSM and all other sponsors the Red Shirts will be a force to be reckoned with in the ongoing season. Chulaka said, the rugby budget for the year is Rs. 4.5 million. The funds accrued will also be diverted for the development academy - the nucleus for the future. There are 45 boys - between the age of 10 to 15 who are taught the skills at grassroots level. This includes boys from less affluent homes, too. The 5- year-old James Mathysz looks much tougher than his father burly, Michael. He proved this at the Thomian Mini rugby carnival. Perfect
Placement wins Confifi Derby in style Apart from winning the main race of the day the Abeyratnes, Anurath and Malani had a successful day when the stables won three more races to win four of the seven races which was held on that day. It turned out to be successful event with crowds of nearly 25,000 ranging from the foreign tourists, horse racing fanatics from Colombo and the local vicinity who were given a day of enthralling fun. Jockey R. Selvaraj too had his share of success when he rode three winners before landing the Derby he had two other wins earlier in the day on Singing Melody and Sonali. The most impressive race was the main event of the day which was the Confifi Derby where Perfect Placement ridden by R. Selvaraj had the better of stablemate Court of Appeal who was the favourite to win the race. Anurath speaking to the Sunday Times said all eyes were on the favourite horse but no one took notice of Perfect Placement the pacemaker who slipped unnoticed past the others to grab the race in a thriller. He said it was perfect riding by jockey Selvaraj, the beach surface being unbalanced it could have been anybody’s race. It is completely different to the grass turf. The horses would have definitly felt the difference as many of the fancied horses were not able to come to terms. Nevertheless all credit goes to jockey R. Selvaraj, apart from the four winners from the Abeyratne stables the other three events were won by up and coming young trainer Nalin Rajapakse and twp other well known owner/trainers in Sri Lanka, Nigel Austin and Gamini Kodituwakku. The Abeyratnes started their wins from the first race with Malani Abeyratne's Singing Melody ridden by R. Selvaraj which was for Thoroughbred horses Class IV. The second event which was for Halfbred horses Class II saw Nalin Rajapakse's Fly Past past the winning post. Anurath Abeyratne's thoroughbred Sonali ridden by Governor's Cup winning jockey V. Mathialagan took the third event. The fourth event for Three quarter bred horses went to Gamini Kodituwakku's Kiss Me Quick with jockey S.D. Mahesh winning the event by two lengths. Anurath's thorougbred Sonali won her second event of the day which was the fifth of the card from Perfect Placement but this time the winner was rideen by R. Selvaraj. Indian jockey Aslam Kumar on Pretty Girl gave owner/trainer Nigel Austin the only success for day wihch was the sixth race of the day. The much looked forward and the last event of the day which was the Confifi Derby for Thoroghbred horses Class I saw five horses in favourite Court of Appeal, Libo Queen, Ancient Warrior, Perfect Placement and Decked Up being decked up to have a go in this golden mile ( 8 furlong) event. Court of Appeal making a smart move went into the lead followed by Ancient Warrior and Decked Up. But Perfect Placement ridden to perfection by jockey R. Selvaraj surprised all by coming from the outside to pull off the race in a thriller from Ancient Warrior with Decked Up in third place. Confifi Group Hotels who were the main sponsors should be commended for a well organised event with its chairman Prof. M.J.A. Furkhan leading the way along with Suranjith Premadasa the President of the Sri Lanka Equestrian Association and supported by Paddy Vithana, Chairman Tourist Board, Hanzuff Mohamed, Brand Co-ordinater, Dialog GSM, Baljender Gill, CEO, Ole Spring Bottler (Pvt) Ltd and Sudath Liyanasuriya, Vice President, Marketing and Head of Innovations and Promotions, Three Coins Co Ltd. The chief guest for the occasion was the Minister of Tourism Gamini Lokuge who gave away the awards. Results:1.
Dialog Trophy for Thoroughbred Horses Class IV |
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