| Sports |
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| Challenging
task for Dyson As recently as 1992 Ian Chapell, the former Australian captain, in his book titled The Cutting Edge stated, An Australian coach is something the team tours around when in England! In a chapter on the subject, coaching to have or avoid? Chappell more or less ridicules the role of the coach. Mind you, this was during the reign of Bob Simpson who was the first coach to create a lasting impression for the need of a coach at international level. This appointment began in the nineteen-eightees and is now a permanent feature with all national teams. Australia included, all countries now have various coaching programmes and a structure to breed players from the grass root level. In fact the Aussies have the best system to attract and monitor the best and bring them through the ranks to reach the highest level. John Dyson who has taken over as Sri Lanka's national coach will need the conveyer belt to keep supplying him with players whom he can work on to be successful at international level. The system has an A team, Development Squad, Under 19 Squad and now an Academy. It must be said though, that there have been no finds in the recent years to impress substantially at the highest. The finish is definitely lacking. That is what is all important the results. Dav Whatmore, during his tenure as coach stuck to working with the National team and squad. He did not venture to follow what was going on down below. It would be wise for Dyson to keep an eye on the A team, the Development Squad, the Under 19ís and even the Academy. Not in a sense to interfere but to follow the progress and offer constructive advice. There is no question that Sri Lanka has a good, talented group of players. There are some shortcomings in the area of technique and the lack of outstanding players in certain areas of the game. Yet, what is not happening is players playing to their best ability consistently. Look no further, the example is the last game played, the second test match against the West Indies. When the second essay commenced the game was equally poised. Sri Lanka were facing an average test bowling attack. They had tons more experience than their opponents. Yet they stumbled and stumbled badly. Dyson's first task would be that to get the players to perform consistently and lift their game according to the demands. The coach is not part of the selection committee although his views are sought. However, he is judged on the team's performance. Dyson will have to work closely with them. Being an outsider he will have to depend on their judgment, at least for an year, until he gets a good look at all the probables. Blooding new
players, young players, is a very important part of international
cricket. The coach must have a plan for all potential players. That
is his duty, performing is up to the individual. He has to guide
the horse to the water, drinking is up to the horse! Garland
for Garland The 'lions' after last year's dismal performance, helped by their rugby committee (Scrummage) made a concerted effort to revive the game with the right structure. Trinity has produced outstanding sportsmen in other disciplines as well. One such person is the legendary Duncan White - the first Olympic silver medalist. But rugby takes precedence. It was like the Mahaweli sluice gates being opened. Most of the crowd came from Colombo. Tickets were not available for them with no proper selling outlets. The organisers should have done well to streamline and made tickets available without let or hindrance in order to watch this great happening - a rugby re-union among the old boys from the respective schools. It was not the foreigners, who wended their way to the Hill Capital but the locals with their families. Back to Trinity and rugby and it's a renaissance. Kandy has become a prime location for big events, especially for rugby which will be followed by the International rugby 7s organised by Kandy S.C. - co-sponsored by Singer, SriLankan Airlines - supported by Le Kandyan, who will provide accommodation for participating teams. Trinity owes much of its success this season to Geoff Garland - a teacher-cum-rugby coach from Sydney, Australia. There were few hiccups at the start, but they have been sorted out with Prof. Warren Breckenridge leading from the front. The Scrummage was led by Ravi Balasuriya, Jupana Jayawardena, Saliya Udugama and other members of the committee who worked in unison to uplift the game. Of course, the Chairman of the N.S.W. Rugby Union - Dilip Kumar, afforded them with the services of Garland to coach the youngsters. Dilip, who is doing a lot to help Sri Lanka Rugby is beefing up the sport with his personal resources. He watched this first-leg at the historic Bogambara grounds which churned top rugby fare. Apparently how many of our Sri Lankans domiciled abroad are helping their motherland? Another sports promoter also from Sydney, Harry Solomons (from down South), who is Chairman, Kingsgrove Sports Centre is doing likewise. Dilip, whom I came to know via rugby, is prepared to give his hand to any worthy cause. Immediately after the first leg he took wing to Australia. In the end, Royal after being led made a right royal fight back to win the first leg 13-11. The Reid Avenue school despite fielding a team with 10 freshers, still looked a seasoned side with plenty of rugby skills. Royalists young and old supported by the fairer sex supported Royal led by Rajith Jayasundera, his deputy the hard-running winger Lakshman Dissanayake and the rest of the Royal rugby team. In the end Royal won 13-11 in a rousing contest. What a game
it was. They played in the correct spirit and for the right reasons.
In the Under 17 match that preceded, Trinity beat Royal 11-6. Much of the credit for the 'lions' upsurge in rugby this season should go to Garland and his assistant Alex Lazarus. It was put to right by Trinity's oldboys "Rugby Scrummage" headed by Ravi Balasuriya. The team is being led by Migara Maddumapatabendi. Win or lose the 'lions' are assured of roaring in Colombo as well. It's good for rugby. ISF
Cricket 'sixes' today Thirty teams have entered for the cricket 'sixes' played for the ISF Challenge trophy for both, men and women. SriLankan Airlines, Ports Authority, Airport, Petroleum, Gas, Telecom and leading Commercial Banks, Star Class Hotels and leading Security Organisations. Defending champions (cricket) Petroleum play in the top-half. While security 'sixes' in the bottom half. Cash awards
and gifts aplenty for the participants (over Rs. 80,000/-) donated
by Sun Power Systems (Pvt) Ltd., Ratnaweera Transporters, Ceylinco-Cissco
Security, Telecom Tech Fire Protection and Engineering, Multilac
Paints, Unilevers etc. |
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