Three Kandy teams in semis

After 25 years the women's All Island Inter-Club hockey tournament was revived and the four semi-finalists were found at the completion of the first round games at Londgen Place yesterday.

This tournament which is conducted by the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation, saw 11 teams in the fray. Originally17 teams were scheduled to take part but six teams pulled out due to unavoidable reasons.

There were three Kandy teams in the semi finals today at the same venue. The semi-final line up are: Muncipalty Sports Club Kandy, led by Nalika Wettesinghe taking on Sangamitta Sports Club Kandy led by Surangi Ratnayake.

In the other semi-final Pushpadana Sports Club Kandy led by Amila Kapilarathan will clash with Vishaka Sports Club led by Thushani Heengama.

The final will take place today at the CR and FC grounds commencing at 3.30 pm.

- S.I.

Lalith Kumara excels

Twenty year old BG Lalith Kumara representing Sri Lanka for the first time in the International Golf Championship overseas and playing with influenza showed his potential by finishing a creditable fourth at the Pakistan Amateur Golf Championship in Peshawar.

Lalith Kumara with rounds of 74, 77, 78 and 75 a total 304 was eight points behind the winner, Pakistan's promising 25-year-old golfer, Zeeshan Ali who has played in the Sri Lanka Amateur Golf Championship in the last 3 years. Pakistan No. 1 Dr. Aimal Zana was runner-up.

The tight par 72, PAF Golf Course in Peshawar with its heavily wooded Fairway boundaries and fast, contoured greens were a tremendous challenge to the Sri Lankan golfers.

Both Lalith Kumara and Anura Rohana who finished a disappointing sixth with total 306, had difficulty reading the greens. They however, were long and accurate off the tees.

Lalith Kumara in particular exhibited the required fluency of the tee and fairways.

His round of 74 put him in second place five shots behind the first day leader, Vaquas Ahmed of Pakistan. Anura Rohana had a 77, whilst 18-year-old Jehan de Saram played well within himself to return an excellent 77. The fourth member of the Sri Lanka team Lalsiri de Mel returned an 83.

On the second and third day the Sri Lankan players did not play consistent golf and returned poor scores.

After third round Lalith Kumara and Aura Rohana were lying joint fifth with a three round total of 229, four shots behind the leader Zeeshan Ali who took the lead after a one under par 71 on the third day. He stormed to 4 under par at the turn on the last day and cruised to an easy 4 stroke victory.

The overall performance of the young but inexperienced Sri Lankan golfers augers well for the future. With the experienced Tissa Chandradasa and Rusi Captain teaming up with Lalith Kumara and Anura Rohana, Sri Lanka will be a formidable challenger for a medal at the Asia Games in Bangkok.

Three from Lanka

By Saif Izzadeen

"I am going all out to win the event, I know it will be a difficult task but I will try my best" was what Ranaviru J.K.W. Munidasa told The Sunday Times when asked what he likes to achieve by participating in this event.

J.K.W Munidasa who became a Paraplegic after getting wounded in the Rivirasa operation to capture Jaffna two years ago, will be taking part in the world's largest international wheel-chair Marathon in Oita Japan, today (November 1).

The event will cover a distance of 21.0975 KM and will be a wheel chair half marathon. Munidasa who's pervious international experience was when he participated in a wheel chair Marathon in Hong Kong early this year, went onto add 'I happy to participate in this event Although I am handicapped I am having the guts to participate in this event which is a great pleasure to me'

He finally concluded by saying "I would like to see more people like me participating in this kind of event which will show the general public that although we are not lucky like them we have the courage to compete in such prestigious event

He concluded by saying I will try my best to win. If I can't I will try to finish the race on a better time.

Celltel sponsors Sevens

By Bernie Wijesekera

Celltel Cellular is to the fore again, they will sponsor the much looked forward to Mercantile rugby "Sevens" for the fourth successive year.

This was revealed at a press briefing presided over by the president rugby section) M. A. A. Nimal Gunasekera at the CH & FC Boardroom (Gunasekera, was associated with Stephen Torede (Commercial Director), Serge Guevel (CEO., Celltel), N. Hettiarchchi (Manager, Marketing), while Nalin Gunathileka (Treasurer) N. Wickremage (Secretary) Marco de Silva (immediate Past President), Ray Abeywardena (Committee Member) represented the M. A. A. rugby section.

Gunasekera said that the popular private sector 'Sevens' have gone from strength to strength since its inception with more teams participating. This year there will be over 30 teams vying for honours - the Cup Championship, the Plate and the Bowl.

Last year, the Cup was won by Hatton National Bank, Plate by Sampath Bank, the Bowl went to Tri Star Apparels.

Celltel is the main sponsor, while quite a number of other firms are giving that much-needed encouragement for its success, the President said.

Badhurdeen shines for Zahira in drab game

The occasional clatter of a machine in the vicinity of the Zahira -St. Peter's cricket fixture took most of the attention from a boring game of cricket as both schools settled for a draw at Bambalapitiya yesterday.

Hosts St.Peter's showed signs of boldness with a spirited first innings declaration which saw them settling for a low score of 114 for 7 in reply to Zahira's 236 all out . The Zahirian's had little option in the second innings as they continued batting to finish the day on 115 for 5 .

Zahirian , Mohammed Badhurdeen, performed a dual role with both bat and ball for as he chipped in with a useful 77 in the first innings and then came in handy as bowler by ripping through the Peterite top order to finish with figures of 3 for 40. The Peterites posted their second innings score in just 14.5 overs of batting .

The match was called off at 4.40 pm due to rain.

Zahira - 236 all out in 62.1 overs (M. Dilshad 57,M.Imran 37, M.Badhurdeen 77 , A. Samsudeen 3 for 61,K.Lokuarachchi 3 for 45) and 115 for 5 at close ( M.Rilwan 37, M.Imran 28, S.Faris 20 no: , A.Samsudeen 2 for 9, C.Peiris 2 for 41)

St.Peter's -114 for 7 declared in 14.5 overs (A.Fonseka 21 ,D.Rupasinghe 22 , M.Badhurdeen 3 for 40)

Rain a Spoiler

Not a ball was bowled on the second day in the inter-school cricket match between S.Thomas' vs Dharmapala which ended in a draw at Pannipitiya yesterday.

Dharmapala - 134 for 7

Isipatana held

By Shane Seneviratne

Isipatana were held to draw by Dharmaraja in the inter-school cricket match which concluded at Lake View in Kandy yestereday.

Isipatana - 218 for 9 in 74 overs.(P. Niroshan 41, M. Fernando 34, M. Wickremasinghe 29, M.Fernando 28, S.Wijesinghe 28, C. Jayawardena 23; N.Nahagahapitiya 2 for 19, A.Marapana 2 for 44, C. Kuthruwela 2 for 47) and 140 for 3 in 37 overs ( M. Wickremasinghe 23 , M.Fernando 63, Krishantha 39)

Dharmaraja - 260 for 9 in 63 overs ( P.Seneviratne 85, Y.Jayasundara 49, C.Wickremasinghe 33, N.Nahagahapitiya 12, N.Ekanayake 20, S.Ranasinghe 13; M.Fernando 3 for 36, P.Niroshan 2 for 56, H.Perera 2 for 53)

Another draw

The inter-school cricket match between Prince of Wales Moratuwa and Trinity College Kandy ended in a draw without a ball being bowled at Moratuwa yesterday.

- (SMDS)

Top athletes at SAAAF meet

Over 150 top athletes from the South Asian Region will battle it out for supremacy in the 2nd South Asian Amateur Athletic Federation championshipships sponsored by Caltex as the main sponsors on Tuesday and Wednesday November 9 and 10th at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

This meet has been organised by the Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AAA) with the blessings of the Asian Athletic Association and co-sponsored by Hatton National Bank and Frostaire.

India will be represented by 56 male and 7 female athletes followed by Pakistan 45/5, Maldives 15/2, Bangaladesh 20/2 and Sri Lanka 60/5 with only the absentees being Bhutan and Nepal.

Caltex the official sponsors will be throwing in 1.5 million with the most outstanding athlete male or female athlete from each country being awarded a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 each and make two other awards which will carry cash awards to the Caltex Star of the Games overall men and women.

All athletic events will be held with the exception of pole vault, discuss and javelin throw women and discuss men.

Ediriweera sparkles with 79 for CCC

By Marlon Fernandopulle

Opener Bradman Ediriweera hit a sparkling 79 to help CCC to 155 for 5 wickets against Antonians SC in a Under 23 game at Maitland Crescent yesterday.

Ediriweera struck seven fours in his knock after the Antonians won the toss and invited CCC to take first lease of the wicket.

An unbroken 70 run stand for the second wicket between S Kumara (50 n. o) and Rally Tissera (29 n. o) helped Tamil Union to reach 129 for one wicket against Bloomfield. Kumara was also associated in a opening stand of 59 with Sumedha Bandaratileke who struck a breezy 37.

While rain and bad light curtailed play in all the games yesterday it was surprising to note that not a ball was bowled in the match between SSC and Panadura SC at Maitland Place which is a Test venue.

At Maitland Crescent: CCC vs Antonians SC

CCC-155/5 in 39 overs (B Ediriweera 79 A Polonowita 24 R Wimalasena 19 n o C U Kumara 2/38)

At Reid Avenue: Bloomfield vs Tamil Union

Tamil Union 129/1 in 49 overs (S Kumara 50 n o S Bandaratileke 37 R Tissera 29 n o)

At Havelock Park:Colts vs BRC

BRC - 38 for 5 wickets

Junior Hockey Nationals in Kandy on November 6

The 26th Junior National Hockey championsips will be held on November 6, 7 and 8 at the Police grounds Kandy sponsored by Singer Sri Lanka, and conducted by the Kandy District Hockey Association on behalf of the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation.

The teams participating and their groupings are:

Group A - Schools Golds, Mercantile, Kandy, Uva, Colombo.Group B- Schools Whites, Matale, Defence Services, Wennappuwa, Galle.

Tahire 2nd

Tahire Edirisinghe of the Asian International School was placed second in the 400 metres for women at the Nationals concluded at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium pool.

Juhani de Mel also of the Asian International School participated in the men's Platform Diving event.

Rover Pinpoints

Unwanted suspension

A sport which has hit world recognition has suspended its Tournament Secretary at a council meeting held recently which is against the rules and regulations of the sport.

The reason being, that he has petitioned the Minister revealing the faults of this association, including finances.

The Sports Ministry grant for the promotion of this sport has been utilised to pay the affiliation fees to the World Sports Body.

Total disgrace

A leading umpire was assigned to stand in the Asia Cup in Dhaka. But alas he could not stand in any of the matches as he was hospitalised due to intoxication from the very first day. Rover learns that this is not the first instance. What action?

Musical chairs

A top sport in Sri Lanka has already picked their office bearers for the 1999-2000 annual general meeting scheduled to be held in March next year. Posts have been earmarked for their catchers, Rover learns with the Minister's OK. The Secretary to this sports body, according to the Sports Law, should be one with national standing. But Rover learns that the Minister will give permission for him to stand election otherwise he may upset the applecart without his 'yes ' men.

VIP resigns

A VIP of a popular sport has tendered his resignation due to the dictatorial attitude supported by the higher-ups of the body in suspending an umpire without an inquiry being held.

Lankans in Asian Athletics

Two Sri Lankans got selected to the Asian Veterans Athletics Association at the General Assembly held in Okinawa, Japan.

Ranjith Weerasena and P.H.D. Wadiyatilleka were elected uncontested for the posts of Vice President and Council member respectively.

Wadiyatilleka was also unanimously elected as Chairman, Technical Committee of the Asian Veterans Athletic Association.

The next Veterans Asian Athletic championship will be held in New Delhi in the year 2000.Chinese Taipei and Malaysia too vied for honours but failed to get the required votes.

The others elected were:

President - Kiyoshi Koundike, Japan; Vice Presidents, A.K. Banerjee (India), Wang Yun Feng (China); Secretary, Hari Chandra (Singapore); Treasurer, Hisashi Jinzenji (Japan).

Women's representative, Mrs. Glory Barnabas, Singapore.

Council members, Cho Hsin Te (Chinese Taipei), Michael Lum (Malaysia), Djeko. S. Slamet (Indonesia), Kim Chang Rae (Korea).

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