Musaeus rowers win Gold at Calcutta

By Annesley Ferreira

The Musaeus College rowing team the first- ever schoolgirl rowing team to compete abroad won a gold medal in Calcutta.

This was a dream come true to the Managing Trustee of the School, Mr. Chandima de Silva, who exactly one year ago announced his intentions to promote the sport at Musaeus, at the schools inter- house swimming meet.

This was disclosed by Vice Principal, Mrs. Nelum Senadheera at the prize distribution concluded at the SSC swimming pool.

The Principal, Mrs. N.K. Pilapitiya said that she was truly proud of the children who showed a marked improvement in sport at the highest level, not confining themselves to books alone.

She also mentioned that the involvement in sport also showed an improvement in their scholastic achievements, as displayed by their O/L results for 1997.

Rowing found its way to Musaeus College through the students of the school who do their rowing privately at the Colombo Rowing Club.

The school was informed of an invitation to participate at the 26th Inter school regatta to be held at Calcutta each year, through the Colombo Rowing Club.

Right from the start the Musaeus girls were encouraged by the school authorities, who also made generous contributions of cash towards this venture.

Union Assurance Limited was happy to be associated with the crew's success, as co-sponsors of the event.

When contacted, Ramal Jaisinghe General Manager, Union Assurance Limited said that he always liked to help develop sport in Sri Lanka.

He himself was a good swimmer. Union Assurance sponsors the Sri Lanka Rowing Nationals.

The Gold Medal winning Musaeus crew comprised of the Goonawardena sisters Minoli and Mithila, supported by Apsara Fonseka, Evanthi Livera, Wyomi Abeywickrema.

On their way to winning the gold in their first attempt, Musaeus beat G.D. Birla Girls' School by a big margin. The Colombo girls had to brave the scorching Indian weather and overcome dehydration to succeed.

In their next round the Colombo girls beat Gokhale High School, and in the semi-finals beat South Point Ladies College and bagged the Gold beating G.D. Birla School.

The Musaeus team was coached by Ajith Goonawardena with support from the Rowing Association of Sri Lanka (RASL) and the Colombo Rowing Club. They were accompanied by Miss Vajira Attanayake the Physical Training Instructor.

When Madras won the first boat regatta in Colombo...

By Alawi S. Mohammed

The oldest inter club boat race will be held on Saturday, July 11th between Colombo and Madras at the Rowing Club Beira Lake starting at 3 p.m.

This event will be held to celebrate its centenary. A brief history of the event is given below.

The sport of rowing is just over 200 years old. It was in 1796 that Eton College took up rowing as a sport, followed by the formation of the Leander Rowing Club twenty years later, leading to the first Oxford-Cambridge encounter in 1828. With the expansion of the British Empire, the Englishmen introduced rowing to the East, first to the China Treaty Ports and then to India and Ceylon.

The Calcutta Rowing Club was founded in 1858, followed by the Colombo Rowing Club in 1864 and the Madras Boat Club in 1867. Soon other clubs sprang up, notably in Bombay, Poona and Rangoon. The stage was now set for inter-club regattas. The first of these was between Calcutta and Madras in 1870. Over the next 30 years, inter- club rowing became quite popular, with venues revolving between Calcutta, Bombay, Poona and Madras. The first inter-port regatta was held in 1882 when Colombo Rowing Club went up to Calcutta to challenge for the Hoogly Cup, which they succeeded in bringing back to Colombo. It was a full 12 years before Colombo R.C. once again competed against a foreign crew. In December 1894 a Colombo crew went to Rangoon, to try conclusions with the Rangoon Rowing Club, but were beaten after a good race.

For the first time, in 1898, a foreign rowing club, (Madras Boat Club) visited Colombo. This was the inauguration of the Madras-Colombo Boat Race, and we consider this to be the oldest interclub boat race still being rowed anywhere in the world. On July 11 this year, Colombo R.C. will be hosts to the Madras B.C. to celebrate the centenary of this event, that has been rowed annually, except for the periods 1903- 1920 (when the Lake was over-run by weeds), 1939- 1947 (war years) and more recently during the nineteen eighties.

The first encounter was won by Madras by 1 1/4 lengths in 7 mins. 49 secs. The Regatta was as usual held in August and was attended by a large gathering, including the Governor, Sir West Ridgeway. According to the Ceylon Times of August 12th 1898: "This afternoon witnessed an assembly at "Wavertree" to view the races such as has seldom gathered there on similar occasions. The members of the Colombo Rowing Club were at home to their friends and a large number of Colombo residents and up-country visitors availed themselves of the invitation, notwithstanding the counter attraction of the Colombo - Upcountry cricket match."

It was three years later this inter-club race was rowed again. Though it was Colombo's turn to visit Madras, the latter visited us. This time Colombo avenged their previous defeat, going on to do so in the two succeeding years as well. Colombo paid their first visit to Madras on Christmas day, 1902, scoring a grand victory by 2 1/2 lengths.

Once the Lake was declared free of weeds, in September 1920 the Madras-Colombo Boat Race was revived by Colombo visiting Madras, after a lapse of 17 years. Colombo won an exciting race by the narrow margin of 6 feet. The race was rowed on the Adyar River through a buoyed channel over 900 yards. Incidentally, the Madras crew consisted of four Cambridge men.

Due to the keen and exciting rowing witnessed at this race, and as an incentive to carry on this annual series, both Clubs subscribed towards a "perpetual trophy to be competed for annually on the waters of the holders," Colombo being, the holders, Madras visited Colombo in August 1921. Messrs Harrison and Crossfield put their lake frontage at the disposal of the Club, and the evening's sport was witnessed by a large and representative gathering, including Lady Manning, the wife of the Governor. Madras, starting at a much higher rate, got off to an early lead. Colombo, however, were content to push their opponents along and about a third of the way home, took the lead, keeping it up to win by 1 1/2 lengths in the excellent time of 6mins. 52secs.

Two memorable races in this series took place in 1950 and 1951, the former in Colombo and the latter in Madras. In both these years the result was a DEAD-HEAT, a very rare occurrence indeed.

In recent years women's events have been added. The Colombo boys and girls have been training very hard under the watchful eye of the national rowing coach Mr. Ajit Goonewardena. The healthy rivalry that exists between our two Clubs makes this a much looked forward to and cherished event.

Jeremy, Roshan win UA trophies

Jeremy Bolling and Reshan Muthukrishna won the 5th Union Assurance Trophy, followed by the Navy team comprising Kithsiri Rajapaksa and Newton at the championships sailed at Bolgoda.

A mixed fleet of 22 lasers, GP 14's and Enterprises competed in the two races. The winds blew strong.

In the afternoon's race the sailing conditions were strong with Lalin Jirasinghe and Ranil Dias coming in first but was placed 5th in the morning's race, gaining an overal third.

Second in the afternoon's race was Krishan Janaka and Nalin Bandara from the Navy, who came in third in the afternoon's race and thereby was placed second overall.

The team of Jeremey Bolling and Reshan Muthukrishna was placed 3rd in the afternoon's race and with the first place in the morning race, they were declared overall winners.

The results of the Boat and Personal Handicap races for the Union Assurance Plate were dominated by the three Navy teams and a Laser sailed single handed.

The overall results are:

1st - Krishan Janaka crewed by Nalin Bandara - Navy.

2nd - Jeremey Bolling crewed by Reshan Muthukrishna.

3rd - Alan Minson (laser).

4 th - Kithsiri Rajapaksa crewed by Newton (Navy)

5th - Michael Espesite crewed by Avantha Tennakoon.

6th - Kamalsri Gunatilleka crewed by Upul Jayasiri (Navy).

7th - Anil Goonawardena crewed by Michelle Goonawardena.

8th - Trevor de Silva crewed by Devinda Wijeratne.

9th - Hans Svendsen crewed by Julia Sagar.

10th - Daul Sagar crewed by Chris Johnes

This Sunday's race will be first of a series of three races to be sailed in competition for the Bowen Northway Trophy and the Tyros Trophy.

The next sponsored race is in September 1998, sailing for the Quantas Regatta. (AF)

Golden Jubilee Bridge Quadrangular

The Golden Jubilee Quadrangular Bridge tournament conducted by the Bridge Federation of Sri Lanka will be played on July 5,6,7, and 8 at Crystal Ballroom at Taj Samudra.

The foreign teams participating are from Andra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. On the opening day, July 5th the Friendship Open pairs event will be held from 9 a.m.

In all twenty five pairs from the three Indian teams will participate among the local players.

The championships will be for the Kisho Hirdaramani Trophy.

Supporting this tournament are, P.C. Goenka, President (Emeritius) of BFAAME and BFI, Kamallakara Rao, President BFI, N. Nagappan, Past President BFI.

Also present on this occasion will be Mazhar Jafri, the President of BFAAME and vice President World Bridge Federation, and Mukul Chatterjee, Secretary BFAAME and BFI. The Vu-Graph presentation wll be headed by Col. Sharma with the assistance of Dr. Subir Roy and Fitzgerald Fernandesz.

The Sri Lanka team, known as the President's Team will be represented by Dr. H.H. Tillakaratne as non-playing captain, M. Chelliah, and K.P. Baskaran, Fritz Perera, M.P. Salgado, H.A. Weerasuriya and Thillainadarajah.

The Ladies Emerald's - Paul de Niese non-Playing captain, Mrs. L.P.N. Singam and Dr. Rose Peiris, Mrs. Gillian Ratnayake, Mrs. Manel de Neise, Mrs. Malika Wijeyekoon and Mrs. Cera Fernando.

Ladies Rubi's - Mrs. Shanthi Rasiah and Mrs. Anthea de Alwis, Mrs. Rita de Alwis and Mrs. Geniveve Fernando, Mrs. Neela Silva and Mrs. Malini Wijeratne.

Travel Trade Cricket Sixes

The 22nd Annual Travel Trade Softball Cricket Sixes conducted by the Travel Trade Sports Club and sponsored by Aitken Spence Travels Ltd will be held at the B. R. C. Grounds and Shalika Grounds on June 11. This tournament by far is the most popular event of the Travel Trade Sports Club and attracts approximately 300-400 participants.

Forty years of athletic excellence

Forty years ago on March 4 1958, seven track and field visionaries, Carlton Seneviratne, Jackie Van Twest, Harry Jayawardane, Terry Louis, Lazarus Jayasekera, K.L.F. Wijayadasa and schoolboy Wijitha Wijeyasekera set out to form the second athletic club in Sri Lanka and the first ever athletic club to be formed by "All Sri Lankan" founder members. The name of the club was "Ceylonese Track and Field Club" with a logo of a gazzelle in flight.

Since then the "CT and FC" has cruised through many a stormy and pleasant weather producing a galaxy of super quality athletes, administrators, coaches and officials in its relentless commitment to the cause of athletics.

Athletes of CT and FC have pushed the club ahead with their excellent performances. Nagalingam Ethiriveerasingham winning a gold and silver at two consecutive Asian Games, the performance of Kosala Sahabandu, A. Premachandra and Sunil Gunawardena and winning the 4x400m gold medal at the Asian Games in Teheran are fine performances of CT and FC athletes at international level.

The athletes who excelled at local level were hurdler Vijitha Wijesekara, an athlete of the highest distinction, Nimal Fernando the classic 400m hurdler and the best athlete at the inaugural meet. G.N.De Silva, Lionel Karunasena, Stanley Thabrew, one time sprint queen K.G.Badra, Wimalasena Perera, Bruno Fernando, A.S.M. Khan, Lakshman de Alwis, C.Ferdinando, R. Chandratilleke and Derwin Perera all of whom represented the country in Asian Games, Olympic Games and A.T.F. Championships along with Selvagowri Wardakumar who had the unique distinction of representing Sri Lanka at Asian Games and Olympic Games in Great Britain.

Hemalal Priyankara and Ruwan Chandratilleke too excelled at the South Asian Federation games by winning two gold medals in Nepal in 1984 at the first ever games.

Under the captaincy of Charmaine Abeykoon, the girls were quick in reaching the top. In 1960 Nilimini Alwis established Ceylon records in all three throwing events in one afternoon. Christine Theaker, a former junior champion of England equalled the Ceylon and all- comers records in 100m and 200m.

The women's competition segment at the Ace AC dual in 1961 and 1972 was won by the CT and FC girls. In 1965 under the captaincy of Ransiri Serasinghe the Clyde Challenge Cup was won at National Championships and has been retained during successive years. Since 1964 the Francis Perera Trophy at the relay carnival has been won continuously.

The first women's open meet and the first pentathlon for women was introduced in this country by CT FC in 1966 and 68 respectively.

The administrators of the club since its inception todate have been persons of the highest integrity. The solid foundation of the club bears ample testimony to their contribution.

Late B.R.De. Silva, Badra Wimalasekara, Carlton Seneviratne, George Jayamaha, Jackie Van Twest, H.W. Jayawardena, Lazarus Jayasekera, J.C. Kariyawasam, K.L.F. Wijedasa who is still a livewire and C.W. Pitigala are a few of the club's founder members who could now relax seeing their mission accomplished.

CT and FC has many other unique achievements in its treasured vault that it could proudly boast of. The first ever marathon in this country over the official distance of 26 miles 385 yards was held on 24 May 1959 with 36 of the country's cream of long distance runners facing the starter opposite Colombo University at Reid Avenue. The late Linus Dias Army) won the race. The second open marathon of CT and FC was considered by the A.A.A. as an Olympic trial.

Until 1970 these marathons continued unabated. During 1962, 66, 68 and 70 the CT and FC marathons were considered as official marathon trials for Asian and Olympic Games. By the year of 1970 the marathon had come to stay in Sri Lanka.

During the early days athletics was virtually confined to Colombo. Realizing the need to develop athletics in the rural areas CT and FC officials embarked on a scheme of organizing coaching clinics and dual meets traversing the length and breadth of the country in towns such as Jaffna, Trincomalee, Matara, Galle, Chilaw, Wennappuwa and Badulla.

Going by the foregone conclusion that foreign competition exposure is a must to develop athletics, CT and FC in association with the "Daily Mirror" and "Alitalia" staged the first ever open floodlit meet in 1962 with athletic stars from Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda as our guests. Among the visitors were Serphino Antao, Kipchog Keiro and Wilson Kiprugut. Nine allcomers records and Ceylon records were bettered in one evening at this meet and the newspapers commented "not since the Windies" had Colombo enjoyed such a feast of sports wizardry under the floodlights.

In 1966 the C. Prasanna Kumar Memorial Athletic Club of Mysore was invited to Ceylon for a dual contest and in the following year CT and FC had a successful tour in Bangalore. Since then till 1972 reciprocal visits took place. The Deccan Athletic Club took over from 1973 upto 1981. This dual contest was made open to other athletic clubs in 1979 for the greater benefit of Sri Lankan athletes.

In 1997 the club revived this unique competition by organizing a successful visit of a CT and FC team to Bangalore - India.

The local inter club dual meets too were organized with a view to enhancing local competition opportunities. In 1960 the CT and FC engaged the senior club the Ace Athletic Club in four duals all of which were won by the club. The CT and FC Nemeans dual was another stiff competition where the club was defeated for the first time by the Nemeans (University Athletes) the senior club.

During this memorable completing of 40 years of invaluabe service to the cause of athletics in every department the "Ceylonese Track and Field Club" cruises into its fifth decade to continue its mission. - SK

Rise and fall of police rugby

By S. Sivendran

Police Rugby which began its ascendency in Sri Lanka in the sixties and reigned supreme during the seventies and eighties have hit rock bottom today lying one before the last in the Clifford Cup League table having lost all the first round matches to CR & FC Kandy, CH & FC Havelocks, Petersons S.C., Army S.C. and Air Force with only one win against the wooden spoonists, the Navy, who are lying last with no wins.

When I joined the Police in 1958 as a Sub-Inspector, Police had some great rugby players from the best of rugby playing schools such as T.B. Werapitiya, Rudra Rajasingham, Mike Shockman, S. S. Bambaradeniya, Quintus Jayasinghe, Tony Mahat, Rodney Aluwihare and Franklyn Jacob from Trinity College. There were F.H. Brohier, James Senaratne, Brute Mahendran, Sumith Silva and Rahula Silva from Royal College and from St. Peter's College were Leslie "Letcho" Ephrams, Terry Williams and Muni Gomes alongside me playing for the Police Rugby team under the guidance and leadership of Sydney De Soyza, a great name in local rugby who was a Deputy Inspector General of Police. The coaching was handled by Fred H. Brohier, a Senior Superintendent of Police and Deputy Director at the Police Training School, Kalutara.

This strong poice team would have given a good run to the best of club teams then such as CR & FC, CH & FC, Havelocks, Kandy, Dimbulla, Dick Oya and Kelani Valley who were called the constituent clubs and who were all playing for the Clifford Cup and had British planters playing for most of the Up-Country Clubs and CH & FC was exclusively a team consisting of players from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The CR & FC and Havelocks were the preserve of the best of local rugby players from Trinity, Royal, St. Peter's and Zahira which were the only colleges that were playing rugby during the fifties. But Police along with the Army, Navy, Air Force and the University were not permitted to play in the Clifford Cup Tournament as they were considered poor relations and had to be satisfied playing in the affiliated club tournaments which the Police always won.

It was in 1961 that these Affiliated Clubs were permitted to play against the Constituent Clubs for the Clifford Cup. Police proved its worth and drew their match against CH & FC the same year 3 - 3 and CH & FC had some great foreign players such as Peter Sawdy, John Burrows, Mike Prendaville, Mike Birch Neville Leaf, Nick, Tait, John Banks, Keith Anderson, Mike James, Jeromy Cowley, John Harrison and John Le Geyt to name a few.

With this brilliant performance Police began their quest for dominance in local rugby by recruiting good rugby players from schools such as Raja Pothuhera, a Royal College scrum half, M. A. Majeed, a fine runner of the ball on the wing. T. M. I. Hamid a prop forward both from Zahira College, Ananda Piyasena, a Trinity rugby Captain and Anton Benedict from St. Joseph's College. The Police team grew from strength to strength.

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