Sports

Sports

Sensei Thassim promotes Karate-do
Many years ago Karate-do was classified as a dangerous martial art and children were not encouraged to pursue the sport by the parents or school authorities. But due to the efforts of chief instructor of the Nihon Karate-do Kenshin Kai -Sri Lanka branch Sensei M.N. Thassim a 4th Dan Black Belt the sport has now become a very popular sport in Sri Lanka especially among children.

Sensei Thassim knowing the importance of this sport thought it otherwise. Taking the matter very seriuosly he approached Sunil Jayaweera the then Deputy Director of Sports, Ministry of Education and convinced him with the result it ended in forming the Sri Lanka Schools Karate Association. Today there are over 200 schools comprising over 1500 children in the country that have taken up karate training.

Karate-do teaches children discipline and to learn and respect their parents, teachers and superiors. It gives them self confidence, mind control, sharpening of reflexes and self defence. As a sport of physical fitness it is second to none. -MSA

Lahiru does Royal athletics proud
By Bernie Wijesekera
Seventeen-year-old Lahiru Attygalle, has already proved his mettle as an outstanding sprinter in the schools track and field scene. He started his career as a juvenile (Under-13) at the Royal College Junior Sports meet. The seeds were sown at the start by Richard Perera, coach, from 1995-2002. Attygalle is the present Royal athletic captain. In the year 2,000, Royal won the Sir John Tarbet Cup for juniors after 21 years, under his captaincy. In the same year, he toured with the Royal track and field team to Pakistan for the City School championship. He was a recepient of the Malyndias Scholarship in 2001.

Sports and studies go hand in hand. He has achieved it. He has passed the O/Ls with eight A's and two B's. He is preparing for the A/L (Maths). In 1998 it was the start to his trail-blazing career. In the Western Province track and field meet he was placed first (Under-13) 100m with a new meet record, and won the 200m (equalling the existing mark). In the junior Public Schools Meet in the Under-13 he was placed second in the 100m and won the 200m. In the National Schools meet (2000) he maintained his consistency winning the 200m and was placed second in the sprint (100m) and helped Royal to win the 4 X 100m relay, which is a new record. He had to lay-off in 2002 due to a back injury.

But he roared back in 2003. In the Junior National Championship held in Badulla he won the 109m (equalling the existing record of 11.1 secs.) and the 200m also equalled the existing mark. He was also awarded College colours for the third successive year. At international level, Lahiru took part in the City School games in Pakistan and was placed second in the 200m. He was the only athlete to represent Sri Lanka at the third IAAF World youth championship held in Sherbrooke Canada - 2003.

Later the lad came under the tutelege of former Sri Lanka athlete Sunil Gunawardena, who is also a national coach. Lahiru came into the limelight in track and field sports in 1994. Since then there was no looking back and he has done proud to the Ried Avenue School.

Amarapathana's posh display of stroke play
It was refreshing to see our Poolists brought into the fold and afforded an opportunity of playing competitive golf. Thanks to Sanjeeva Wickremanayake's continuous support they were invited to particpate and they did outshine the whole field of players with tremendous scores not produced by our Amateurs since the time of our doyen Pin Fernando.

Lexmark the world famous Computer Laser and Inject Printers associated in Sri Lanka with Sanjeewa Wickremanayake pitched into a profusely extravagant promotion of a golf competition at the Ridgeways of the Royal Colombo Golf Club last Saturday which was an outstanding success and a very happy social event.

Magala Excels
Young Michael Perera playing off 8 in the A Category was striking the ball superbly through the forenoon. He shot a commendable gross 76 nett 68 to capture the classic beating the consistently smart Rusi Captain Mohan Ratnayake, Stewart Ritchie and Shehan Ramanayake impressed. Chutti Munsoor, Arjun Fernando and Anel de Silva were rescued from the 'lost and found' territory.

Twin Nett 66
Chaminda Galagedera hit a long ball which helped considerably on the slow fairways. He was firm and positive on the equally slow greens and that helped to put together an excellent nett 66 to tie with Ivor Maharoof whose nett 66 was outstanding. Galagadera with a better rear nine pipped Maharoof to leave him pretty sad. C. Twerenhold struck the best gross score of 76 in this category and his nett 66 was quite praiseworthy.

Sadly he was not rewarded except receiving applause when he entered the Club House. Others who impressed were S.Virawanathan nett 67, broad shouldered Hamza Macan Markar nett 68 and Chamath Kulasinghe nett 69, Manjula Karunaratne and Nimal Wettimuny with one under nett 70 were found celebrating long past lunch time. Ken Sellayah, Ferin Careem and Rajiv Chadda played hell leisurely.

Another 66 Nett
In the "C" Category K. Kumarakulasingham was absolutely outstanding. A 20 handicapper rookie he fearlessly moved into every shot before him and he was amply rewarded with a great score of nett 66 beating M. Samarathunga who rightly appeared to be quite proud of his nett 69.

Gymkhana
Michael Perera found the 6 hidden holes easy to capture and his 24 strokes brought him a fine award. Vish Govindasamy's shot off the 9th tee moved head on to the pin and settled 4ft away to give him an exciting victory.

Mature Senior
M.M. Ismail is a regular winner in the Senior Category. His superiority continues most times when young Ambanpola is not around. Ismail was in form again with nett 67 beating M. Samarathnga's nett 69 which was a good performance.

Poolists
Our star performers and the back bone of our golf shown in splendour. N. Amarapathana on gross 67 and Lalith Kumara on 69 performed creditably to show appreciation of the opportunities afforded to them.

Awards
Debonair Sarath Piyaratne excelled in speech craft at the awards night. Sanjeewa Wickremanayake could not have been more generous. After incessant sessions the capacity crowd shifted in to Dine and Wine before they moved home watchful of the breathlizer test. Cheers to LEXMARK for their magnanimity.

Back to Sports