Sports

Sports

Ten years back Australia was in the same plight - Dilip
Australian rugby was in the same plight as Sri Lanka 10 years ago. But, undaunted made the rugby administration and rugby to be a professional sport. Got the services of a Chief Executive Jhon O'Neill, who responded with a right structure - rugby for good. This was revealed to The Sunday Times by Dilip Kumar, who is a member of the World Champion Australian Rugby Board and the Chairman of N.S.W. Rugby Union (Australia's largest Union with over seventy thousand players). Despite a tight schedule, Dilip who is here to watch the prestigious Bradby Shield - the first leg which was played in Kandy. An old Trinitian, he called at the Rugby Union headquarters, to discus their 10-year plan with the president of the local Union, Mohan Balasuriya, CEO 'Shan' Perera and past president and present chairman of the selection panel Dr. Maiya Gunasekera.

Dilip said he was impressed with the plan mapped out by the Rugby Union and wished them well. Kumar, a diehard rugby promoter, has offered to send an administrator on a short stint to assist the implementing of the ten-year plan from Australia. All expenses will be borne by him.

Despite exigencies of duty, be it (his business) or otherwise he has a time to help his motherland's rugby to reach greater heights.

Last year he brought two teams by himself to play in the Isipatana 'sevens' which proved a roaring success.

Trinity rugby hit a new low (his old school). But in collaboration with his old schoolmate Brig. Jupana Jayawardena, he got the services of Geoff Garland to train them. Earlier he helped the Army rugby by getting Kelvin Farrington to coach the soldiers.

Kumar said, the services of Malik Samarawickrema should be drafted to help the Union. He admired the good work of Samarawickrema, who has done an excellent job to uplift Kandy SC rugby with men and material.Last year Dilip helped the Champion Royal College rugby team which toured Sydney, Australia as part of their celebrations. Dilip is prepared to help any deserving school to develop this beautiful sport. From the World Cup the ARB is assured of a bonanza of 48 thousand Aussie dollars.
-BW

Lafir heads Veterans TTASL
Mr. M.M.M. Lafir was elected as President for the second consecutive year at the Second Annual General Meeting of the Veterans Table Tennis Association held at the Otters Aquatic Club.

Following are the other office-bearers elected to hold office for the ensuing years:

Vice Presidents: Messrs. J.C. Fernando, G. Weerakody, A. Ratnaweera, Rajeeva Wijetunge, Upali Ranjith and S. Wijesooriya.

Secretary: Mr. N.H. Perera; Asst. Secretary: Mrs. A. Suraweera; Treasurer: Mr. S.S. De Silva; Asst. Treasurer: Mrs. P. Colombage; Committee Members: Messrs H. Gamage, N.H. Piyadasa, A. Hettiarachchi, W. Gunawardena, D.M. Bandula and Mrs. N. Gunasekera.

Prins - a prince among cricketers passes away
Vernon George Prins one of the finest sportsman to hail from S. Thomas' passed away after a brief illness on Friday.

Prins captained the Mount Lavinia school, in 1943. They won the battle of Blues - against Royal (led by R.S. Wickrematilleke by ten wickets). He was the most successful club captain (NCC) in the mid - '50s and '60s tagged as the 'Champion Club'. In the process captained Sri Lanka, too. He was one of the finest gentleman cricketers in the local cricketing scene.

He joined the Police, but, too much of an officer and gentleman worked with the likes of L.M. De Silva, Saul Goonetilleke, Malcolm Spittel, T.B. Werapitiya. Played hockey for Sri Lanka, with the likes of dusky R.R. William a daring goal-keeper who was his mate at the Harbour Police. It brings back nostalgic memories. Later part of his life he had hard times. But still on his Birthday on April 14, his coterie of close friends were there to wish him.

His funeral takes place at General Cemetery Borella today (Sunday).All past and present cricketers are requested to assemble at the main entrance of the General Cemetery Kanatte at 4.30 p.m. May he rest in Peace.
-BW

Back to Sports