Hat-trick by Pasidu Liyanaarachi

Pasidu Liyanaa-rachchi of D.S.Senanayake College took a hat-trick against St.Benedict's College in their 'mini' battle which ended in a draw at Kotahena.

All rounder Liyana-arachchi scored 26 runs and took 2 wickets in the first innings and in the second innings he obtained a hat- trick D.S.Senanayake - . 257 for 7 decl.

St.Benedict's - 165 - SMDS

Talking point

To Sir with love

A leading cricket umpire in the International panel was heard addressing a leading cricketer as 'Sir'.

Normally it's the other way about. But Rover learns that this has been done for material gain to a post to be filled very soon.

Two selectors to be dropped?

Rover learns that a former leading cricketer representing a leading club, is to be dropped because he is pressurising the other selectors in trying to get as many of his club members whom he is coaching into the national pool. - by Rover

Lankan bowlers keep SA at bay

Second test

CENRUTION, South Africa, Saturday - Sri Lanka and South Africa wee gripped in a tough battle for supremacy as ten wickets tumbled on the second day on their second cricket test here today.

After being dismissed for 303 in their first innings from an overnight 165 for 3, Sri Lanka hit back strongly to have South Africa struggling and in trouble at 11 for 2 and finally 75 for 3 before bad light ended play.

While super paceman A. Donald did the damage for South Africa, Sri Lanka's call up pacie N. Zoysa with R. Pushpakumara gave South Africa a taste of their own lightening with some fiery fast bowling. The Lankan pace attack was so powerful that S. Africa's main run-getter G. Kertsun found himself stuck at single figures for more than an hour before spinner M. Muralidaran had him stunned by knocking his leg stump out.

Scoreboard

Sri Lanka first innings

Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Atapattu, 21.4 ov), 2-66 (Jayasuriya, 24.6 ov), 3-68 (de Silva, 26.4 ov), 4-186 (Mahanama, 74.6 ov), 5-228 (Ranatunga, 90.4 ov), 6- 240 (Kaluwitharana, 94.6 ov), 7-254 (Wickremasinghe, 100.1), 8-255 (Zoysa, 101.4 ov), 9-290 (Muralidaran, 112.4 ov), 10-303 (Thilakaratne, 118.3 ov).

Bowling : Donald 33-10-73-3 (3w), Pollock 7.1-3-9-0, Kallis 19-7-42-1 (2nb), Adams 22-6-77-0 , Ntini 22.5-7-61-2 (11nb), Cronje 4.3-3-21-3

South Africa 1st innings:

To bat: J. H. Kallis, M. V. Boucher, S. M. Pollock, A. A. Donald, P. R. Adams, M. Ntini.

Fall: 1-0 (Liebenberg, 0.1 ov), 2-11 (ackerman, 1.5 ov), 3-75 (Kirsten, 24.4 ov)

Bowling: Pushpakumara 9-2-32-1 (4nb, 1w), Zoysa 7-2-7-1 (1nb, 2w), Wickremesinghe 3-1-15-0 (1nb), Muralidaran 5.4-2-8-1

Court restrains AGM

The Colombo District Judge S. Ambepitiya issued an enjoining order on the Football Federation restraining them from holding their annual general meeting to be held today at the Taj Samudra Hotel.

The application seeking an enjoining order was made by Edward Wickremasuriya, the former national coach.

Dinal Phillips instructed by Samarasekera Associates represented Wicremasuriya.

Lanka's 119 n.o. boosts CCC

Sara Trophy Div. 1 semis

By Saif Izzadeen

Sri Lanka's Test discard Lanka de Silva hit an unbeaten 119 enabling CCC to score 267 for 8 against SSC at the end of the second day's play in the P.Sara Trophy Div. One inter-club cricket semi-final at Reid Avenue yesterday. This was in reply to SSC's 321.

CCC started disastrously when they lost their first wicket at five runs. But Lanka de Silva joined Bradman Ediriweera and the pair put on 29 runs for second wicket which brought the score to 34. At this point CCC lost Ediriweera for a well compiled 23. CCC then lost their third wicket at 41.

With the score at 41 for 3 Damitha Hunukubuara joined Lanka de Silva and the pair were associated in a 57- run stand for the fourth wicket which brought the score to 98 for 3. CCC then lost four wickets for 93 runs bringing the score to 191 for 7.

Then Amal Dalugoda joined Lanka de Silva and this pair were associated in a 76- runs alliance for the eight wicket which brought the score 267 for 7,.In the last over before close of play, which was delivered by Anura Gunawardena, the partnership came to an end when Anura had Amal Dalugoda snapped up for 25. During the partnership Lanka de Silva completed a worthwhile century in 228 balls with 14 fours.

At the end of the day he was unbeaten on 119 which came in 414 mintues and he faced 273 balls. For SSC Suranga Kumara (4 for 77) and Jayantha Silva (2 for 54) bowled well

SSC winning the toss and batting on the first day made 321 thanks to a defiant 151 by another Sri Lanka Test discard Sanjeewa Ranatunga. SSC after being badly placed at 137 for 6, were helped by a seventh wicket stand of 138 runs between Sanjeewa Ranatunga (151) and Harith Jayasuriya (61). This partnership helped them to reach 321.

CCC still have a chance of overtaking SSC's 321 to qulify for the final, although they have only two wickets in hand. Their hopes, however, rest on the broad shoulders of Lanka de Silva who is still at the crease. If the remainning two batsmen can provide the necessary support for Lanka, CCC can still pull it off.

SSC - 321 of 93. 4 overs in 365 mts.(M. Perera 20, S. Ranatunga 151, Gayan Wjiekoon 19, Harith Jayasuriya 61, Suranjith Silva 21; Hasan Rushdie 2 for 89, Hemantha Alles 5 for 72)

CCC - 267 for 8 of 95 overs in 420 mta. (Bradman Ediriweera 23, Lanka de Silva 119 n.o, Damitha Hunukunuara 27, Duncan Arnolda 37, Chaminda Hadunhettiage 14, Amal Dalugoda 25; Suranga Kumara 4 for 77, Jayantha Silva 2 for 54).

The 'lethal combination' in sports

The contemplated ban on the sponsorship of sports by alcohol and tobacco-related firms — Will it see the undoing of popular local sports?

By Bhahi Sampanthan

The general perception is that alcohol, to bacco, drugs and sports do not mix for obvious reasons. Nowadays, the blending of all these (indirectly) is pivotal in the survival of each of the above components. How? Well, sports needs sponsorship, and the sponsors need publicity.

However, the abuse of these central-nervous-system depressants has caused enormous 'stirs' around the world. It was recently reported that tobacco-related diseases are on the ascendancy, and health pressure groups have been quick to voice their displeasure.

In a statement delivered last year, President Chandrika Kumaratunga said that a staggering 17,000 Sri Lankans died annually from tobacco-related illnesses, and many thousands more suffered heart disease and cancer due to smoking. President Kumaratunga immediately set up a Special Presidential Committee to explore ways of reducing alcohol, tobacco and drugs consumption in Sri Lanka.

After months of deliberation, the Committee revealed some startling facts to the Cabinet on this issue. They told the Cabinet that the number of tobacco-and alcohol-related deaths had been largely underestimated. It was pointed out that these substances were responsible for a far larger number of deaths than the war in the North and East of the country. The committee also suggested to the government to ban the sponsorship of all sports by tobacco and alcohol firms.

In a bid to ascertain the findings of this Special Presidential Committee, with special significance to sports, I had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with one of its most prominent members who declined to have his name published, due to valid and acceptable reasons.

The spokesperson for the Presidential Committee said that all their findings on this issue are based on pure scientific research done locally and in many foreign countries. He said, "We were really moved by the deadly effects of alcohol and tobacco -related diseases in Sri Lanka. It is estimated that 20-40 people die everyday. Many foreign countries have passed bills to reduce the consumption of these fatal substances, and we felt that a concrete solution should be found in Sri Lanka to combat the habit.

When asked to comment on the relationship between sports and alcohol/tobacco related firms, he said, "As more countries around the world move to ban tobacco advertising, tobacco firms have been quick to divert their attention to the sponsoring of sports events. This is because they have the opportunity to reach large audiences of young people. Through the promotion of sports events, tobacco firms gain widespread exposure for their brands and are able to link tobacco with good health and athletic prowess. Youngsters, who see the connection between heroism and success are likely to ignore the reality of addiction and death and take up the disastrous habit. Tobacco firms realise that the only way to increase their sales, is to amuse youngsters and get them to start smoking.

Tobacco and alcohol firms also get up to all sorts of tricks to entice new customers (usually youngsters), knowing all along the way that these substances are lethal and extremely addictive. Our Committee is certainly against such practices, because once one gets addicted to them, they are not rational enough to discontinue the habit".

He said that Formula One Racing is one of the most sponsored sport by tobacco firms. "In a recent Formula One advertisment, it was said that Formula One is the most powerful advertising space in the world. Motor racing, like many other sports is linked to glamour and 'machoism'. The tobacco firms realise that the above factor is the best avenue to promote their product. They have utilised this and have been very successful.

The spokesperson added that if these firms are advised to refrain from such practices, they are bound to give 'lame' excuses to defend their strategies. He felt that the only way to restrain the 'ever increasing' number of young smokers, is to completely ban the sponsorship of sports by alcohol/tobacco related companies.

Asked if such a ban would affect the activities of sports bodies, he said that there would be an immediate crisis for sponsors, but that it would be remedied quickly. He also added that once the alcohol and tobacco firms are prohibited, other sponsors are likely to come forward.

In an interview with Ceylon Tobacco Company's Legal and Corporate Director, Mr. Vijaya Malalasekara, The Sunday Times learnt that the contemplated ban would not affect them. He said, "It is only a recommendation by a Special Committee. The decision is yet to be debated over and finalised by the Cabinet. In a short time from now, we will also submit observations of our own. So, there is a long way to go before any decision is made.

I would like to emphasise that we are not giving publicity to our brands of cigarettes, but helping sports bodies (like football) with financial assistance to promote the sport.

In a separate interview with a representative from Carlsberg, The Sunday Times learnt that this proposal will not affect their existence. "I don't think that this news should trouble us. I am confident, because we will be getting a separate licence for the sale of beer. On the contrary, our company's interest is not to publicise the product. We feel that we are supporting sports in Sri Lanka. For example, we have sponsored rugby for many years. Rugby needed a lot of assisitance during the World Cup qualifiers, and we were there to provide that assistance. To conclude, I would like to say that the support we give to rugby in Sri Lanka is of 'paramount' importance and not the promotion of our product", said Mr. Priyantha de Silva.

Mr. Prasanna Amarasinghe, the Marketing Manager of Carlsberg, had this to say..."Well, if this proposal comes into effect, it would be a 'big' blow to us. I say this because we have invested so much to promote rugby in Sri Lanka. However, I am pacified to note that this Bill will not come into effect immediately. There is a lot involved as this Bill has to be debated by government officials.

If the Cabinet accepts this suggestion, and decides to ban tobacco/alcohol-related sponsorship of sports events, it would have to be done in stages. An immediate ban cannot be imposed.

Anyway, suppose the Cabinet decide to our disadvantage. I wonder how the government is going to tackle the problem of foreign tobacco and alcohol adverts (of tobacco/alcohol -related sponsorship) in sports events televised on several local channels. It makes no sense at all. Most cricket matches (and other sports) are telecast live in Sri Lanka. People obviously see billboards with cigarette and alcohol adverts. It will be interesting to see how they block international advertising, should such a ban be imposed in Sri Lanka".

To facilitate an independent view of this article, I spoke to the Secretary General of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, and this is what Mr. G.A.K Abeysekara had to say...

"To be honest, I am not aware of such a proposal to the Cabinet. However, if the ban becomes legitimate, it will surely ruin the prospects of many sports bodies in Sri Lanka (if not all). For example, football's two major tournaments are sponsored by Ceylon Tobacco Company. We have struggled to clinch the sponsorship deal, and should such a ban take effect, we will find ourselves in a precarious situation. Ceylon Tobacco have also agreed to sponsor the Independence Cup tournament scheduled to take place later this year. If this ban is imposed, we will encounter serious problems.

Also, if alcohol and tobacco firms are prohibited from sponsoring sports in Sri Lanka, many non-related private sector firms will be reluctant to come forward. To raise small sums of money is not a difficult task, but if lakhs of rupees are involved, only prominent firms are apt to come forward with sponsorship packages. Sri Lankan sports will be in isolation if such a Bill is passed. We will have to wait and see..."

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