• Lanka in 15th slot
• Foreign drivers at races
• Kalu injured; Colts triumph over NCC
• Kabaddi surprise
• The value of all-rounders
• Yet another epitaph for Sir Don
• In Brief
• Lanka Cavaliers flex their muscles in UAE
• Northern Starlight shines at Cheltenham
• Noufari hammers opposition hollow
• Boxing gets stepmotherly treatment
• Yesterday's heroes, today's villains
• The day Sobers had to eat his own words
• Imran Khan: The other side of the Asif coin
• 'Wonder Boy' Sira coached Saunders
• Fireworks aplenty in the coming World Series in Australia...
• Working towards improvement

Lanka in 15th slot

Annesley Ferreira Reporting from Bangkok

Sri Lanka finished overall 15th at the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok last evening bagging three golds, no silver and three bronze medals with China winning over 120 gold medals, 75 silver and 65 bronze.

The expected gold in the women's 4X400 relay did not materialise with Sri Lanka represented by D.S.de. Soysa, Jayamini Illepperuma, S.Edirisinghe and Damayanthi Darsha finishing in fifth place in a time of 3 minutes 40.05 secs ahead of hosts Thailand who finished last.

Gold for China

The gold was won by China in a time of three minutes 32.03 seconds with India winning the silver with a time of 3 minutes 32.20 seconds and Kazakhstan the bronze.

The only redeeming factor for Sri Lanka in the 19 day sports gala were the performances athletes Damayanthi Darsha and Sugath Tillekeratne.

The chances of Sri Lanka doing well in the men's 4X400 metres fell on the way-side due to the baton being dropped by the last lapper who ran instead of Sugath Tillekeratne, who was willing to run, but was prevented by certain higher ups, who had a better say in selecting their choices.

Sri Lanka also lost a certain medal in the women's 4X100 metres relay again due to wrong choices being made to satisfy the higher ups.

Sugath Tillekeratne re-wrote history when he won the men's 400 metres in a new Asian Games record after a lapse of 24 years. The previous feats were achieved by S.L.B.Rosa and W.Wimaladasa in the 1974 Tehran Games,

Mahesh Perera finished in last place in the men's 110 metres hurdle final which was won by Yanhao Chen of China in a time of 13.65 seconds with Andre Sklyarenko of Kaz-akhstan taking the silver in 13.86 seconds and Hamad Al-Dosari of Qatar taking the bronze in 13.99 seconds.

Bronze for Sriyani

Sriyani Kulawansa won the bronze in the women's 100 metres hurdles in a time of 13.08 seconds which was nowhere near her personal best with the gold being won by Alga Shishigina of Kazakhstan in a new Asian Games record of 12.63 set by Huajun Liu of China set up in Beijing at the 11th Asian Games clocking 12.7 secs. Jing Liu of China won the silver in 12.89 seconds.

Football

China beat hosts Thailand by three goals to nil to win the bronze.

Rugby: Korea beat Japan by 21 points to 17 in a close battle to win the XV-a-side gold thus winning a double. They won the sevens rugby title earlier at the Games.

Sri Lanka missed the expected bronze going down to Chinese Taipei 20-38 in a lack-lustre game with the Lankans themselves to be blamed for poor tackling.

Bronze: Sri Lanka's Khobala Sirisoma was beaten by India's Ashok Shandilya, who is based in the UK, 3-nil in the singles quarter-final while Reginaldo Granada of the Philippines beat Loon-Hong Moh of Malaysia 3-0, Geeth Sethi of India beat Chung-ming Chao of Chinese Taipei 3-0 and Chaithana P. of Thailand beat Kam-Beng Ewin of Malaysia 3-0 in the quarter-final while Ching-Shun Yang of Chinese Taipei beat Kumihiko Takashi of Japan 15-11 to win the singles billiards nine-ball final.

India assured themselves of a gold or silver with both Indians qualifying for the final.

Closing highlights: Gigantic puppets relating to a Buddhist tale and pop singers from Thailand's four regions will highlight today's closing ceremony.

According to the organisers, the story depicts the second life of Lord Buddha. The Games will conclude with a lantern-lit parade.

Next Games: South Korea will host the next Games in Seoul.

Red Carpet Welcome: The Sri Lankan athletes who won medals will be given a red carpet welcome at the Bandaranaike International Airport at Katu-nayake on Monday night and they will stay at the Airport Hotel and will be brought in a motorcade on Tuesday (December 22) morning at 9 am to the Sports Ministry Grounds at the Race Course Complex.

This was disclosed to The Sunday Times by Hemasiri Fernando, President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka.

Already 11 world records and 50 Asian Games records have been set up at Bangkok.

Foreign drivers at races

The main attraction at this year's Katukurunda races which will be held today, is the participation of men and machines from India, Thailand and Japan.

This will undoubtedly take centre stage.

There is also another unique happening where for the first time Indian made Maruti 800 cars will take part in the races.There will be altogether 16 foreign participants

It is only after 1994 that foriegn participation was seen in there races. Four years ago four countries participated in the races.

Katukurunada races are conducted by the Upcountry Motor Sports Club and is sponsored by Kings Lager. The race will see 110 cars and 74 motor bikes fighting it out in 23 events. (SI)

Kalu injured; Colts triumph over NCC

By Saif Izzadeen

With only a stone's throw away from Sri Lanka's tour of Australia, Lanka and Colt's wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana was injured when he received a nasty blow from Ravindra Pushpa-kumara's bat.

This incident took place in the Colts vs NCC in the Premier Inter-Club limited overs tournament match which Colts won by 42 runs at Maitland place yesterday.

Kaluwitharana got a cut above his eyebrow and was attended by Sri Lanka physiotherapist Alex Kountori.

The Cricket Secretary of Colts CC Upali Warnapura later said that Kaluwitharana's injury is not serious but he will miss today's match against Kurunegala YCC at Havelock Park.

In the other matches played yesterday, SSC beat Tamil Union at the Sara Stadium, BRC beat Kurunegala YCC at Havelock Park, Bloomfield beat Panadura SC at Reid Avenue and CCC got the better of Police at Maitland Crescent

Colts vs NCC

Colts CC created a sensation at Maitland place yesterday when they scored a surprising 42 runs win over NCC. Colts displayed a spirited team effort which enabled them to win the match.

Batting first, Colts made 235 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to three good knocks from Romesh Kaluwitharana (75) which included six fours and one six and a last minute burst by skipper and Sri Lanka cap Chaminda Vaas who made 41, including three fours and two sixes. These two batsmen were well supported by Bathiya Perera who made an unbeaten 34. These three knocks enabled the Havelock Town Club to reach 235 for 8. Leg-spinner Malinga Bandara (4 for 46) and off-spinner Swanji Madanayake (2 for 13) bowled well for NCC.

NCC chasing a victory target of 236 in 50 overs were reduced to 67 for 5 by Chaminda Vaas and Eric Upashantha, who took two wickets each. NCC never recovered from this setback although Chinthaka Jayasinghe and Ravindra Pushpa-kumara went after the bowling at the latter stages which was a little too late for the homsters.

Jayasinghe made 54 which included two fours and four sixes of which two sixes landed on the adjoining SSC car park. Pushpakumara put the front line batsmen to shame when he made a classy 36 n.o including two sixes and two fours.

For Colts Chaminda Vaas (2 for 29), Eric Upashantha (3 for 30), Sajith Fernando (2 for 33) and Malintha Warnapura (2 for 34) bowled well.

Colts CC - 235 for 8 in 50 overs (R. Kaluwitharana 75, D. Samaraweera 11, S. Fernando 28, C. Mendis16, B.Perera 34 n.o, C. Vaas 41; M.Bandara 4 for 46, S. Madanayake 2 for 13)

NCC - 193 for 9 in 50 overs (R. Kalpage 24, C.Jayasinghe 54, R.Pushpakumara 36 n.o; C .Vaas 2 for 29, E. Upashantha 3 for 30, S. Fernando 2 for 33, M. Warnapura 2 for 34)

SSC and Tamil Union Pacemen Pram-odaya Wickrem-asinghe and Suresh Perera shared five wickets between them and helped SSC to score a creditable five wicket win over Tamil Union at the P. Sara Stadium.

Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan returning to cricket after his shoulder injury in Dhaka, took three wickets for 30 runs in his allotted 10 overs which was a creditable performance before the coming Aussie tour.

Tamil Union - 161 all out in 39.2 overs (D.Rajapaske 50, N. Shiroman 26, N.Wijegunawardena 24; S.Perera 3 for 38. P.Wickremasinghe 2 for 27)

SSC - 169 for 5 in 35.5 overs (A. Gunawardena 30, S.Ranatunga 31, M.Jayawardena 68; M.Muralitharan 3 for 20)

CCC vs Police SC

CCC helped by two penetrative bowling spells by spinners N. Rupasinghe and N. Rajan scored an easy four wickets win over Police SC at Maitland Crecent.

Police SC - 161 all out in 44.5 overs (N.Udawatte 45, D.Gunawardena 55, R.Wimalasiri 19, C.Liyanage 18; N. Rupasinghe 3 for 28, N.Rajan 3 for 25)

CCC - 165 for 6 in 44.3 overs (B. Ediriweera 39, L.de Silva 27, A. Polonowita 35, H. Botheju 20; P.Serasinghe 3 for 33)

Bloomfield vs Panadura SC

Bloomfield had an easy time in their match against Panadura where they scored a three wicket win at Reid Avenue yesterday.Sri Lanka players Roshan Mahanama (35) and Sanath Jayasuriya (22) made useful contributions

Panadura SC - 115 all out in 35 overs

Bloomfield -116 for 7 in 35.5 overs

BRC vs Kurunegala YCC

Good bowling by R.Farook (2 for 24), D.Perera (3 for 25) and D. Maduraperuma (3 for 31) helped BRC to score a six wicket win over Kurunegala YCC at Havelock Park.

Kurunegala YCC - 130 all out in 44.5 overs (E.Munasinghe 21, J.Jamon 35, A.Ekanayake 30; R. Farook 2 for 24, D.Perera 3 for 25, D. Maduraperuma 3 for 31.)

BRC - 134 for 4 in 34.2 overs (D. Perera 36, D. Madurapreuma 37 n.o, S.Macky 21 n.o; R.Madurusinghe 2 for 25)

More Sports

Return to Sports Contents