Muralitharan's action still open to new investigation

As Tony Lock and Charlie Griffith discovered in their day, a bowler accused of throwing can do little to escape controversy short of completely remodelling his action. That Muralitharan claims a deformity prevents him straightening his arm beyond 11 degrees is irrelevant: it is as possible to throw from 40 degrees to 11 as it is from 40 to zero.

Now that umpire Ross Emerson has no-balled Murali, the matter will be passed to the ICC's advisory panel on illegal deliveries, chaired by Sir Clyde Walcott.

Walcott's committee consists of 10 members, with every Test nation bar Zimbabwe represented. It will study fresh reports and video evidence before taking a vote, from which Sri Lanka, as the country concerned, will be excluded.

If remedial action is thought necessary the national board will be asked to take steps — as India were in the case of Rajesh Chauhan — but there is little the ICC can do if these prove inadequate. Ian Botham yesterday urged the Australian Cricket Board to dispense with the services of Emerson after his series of questionable decisions in Adelaide.

The former England captain, speaking on Sky TV, said: "England play Sri Lanka in Perth next Friday and Ross Emerson is meant to be one of the officials. I am not sure that is a very good idea. "He missed one ball at waist height that should have been a no- ball, got a run-out wrong and there was a case of blatant obstruction. In fact, I'm finding it difficult to think of anything he got right.

"If you have an umpire who is on a different planet, it's extremely difficult to get the players to give him respect."

Women invade the boxing ring

By Gamini Perera

Sue, was fed up competing alongside jelly wrestlers and topless 'boxers' at unlicensed bouts. So when Mike offered her the chance to train at his Tooting Gym, she agreed instantly. 

Sue Atkins had started boxing in 1981. 

She began training at a friend's gym in Earl's court. 

Three weeks later, Sue had gone to watch a women's boxing bout in Watford. As one female boxer was missing, Sue had volunteered to box on her behalf. She borrowed the needed kit from a trainer there and climbed into the ring.

This fight went into three rounds and Sue Atkins finally won a technical knock-out. The award she received was her opponent's boxing boots. 

In 1983, Atkins won the British Lightweight title. Her training schedule was as tough as any male fighter's. But, her career was tainted by associating with seedy clubs and strippers. 

Defended British title

"Women's boxing is recognised in Germany, France, Ireland, Canada and the United States. I just don't understand why no one in this country wants to know," she once questioned. 

Sue met Mike Nairn when she was 32 years old, that was in 1994. 

At that time, Sue had quit boxing and was concentrating on training the British Ladies' Boxing Association (BLBA). Sue always believed the only way to win official recognition for Ladies' Boxing in Britain was to give the girls proper training and protection. 

Mike Nairn was there to back her all the way. He gave Sue gym- time to train her students. 

After the British Boxing Board of Control rejected their application, Mike and Sue launched their own Association with the same rules and medical supervision adopted by the British Board for Boxing. 

The only difference in women's boxing is the length of the bouts - four two-minute rounds in an exhibition match and six for a title bout.

Women rely more on speed and skill, than aggression to score points. "But some men feel so threatened by the women, they won't allow them to train alongside," Sure said. 

Boxing - a noble art

But, Mike Nairn does not believe that Boxing is dangerous. "Boxing is the noble art of self-defence. Women who are properly trained and wear the right protective gear, don't get hurt. If you see our girls crying after a bout, it's not because they have taken a punch - it's simply because they've lost." 

The BLBA provided the girls helmets, gum shields and breast protectors, But, many of them prefer to fight only in gloves and a body belt. 

"Helmets obscure the field of vision and give a false sense of security, and the heavily-elasticated fighting-bras restrict movement," believes Sue. 

"Our first concern is always safety. And, any girl fighting under the aegis of the BLBA will only go into the ring if she's properly matched and knows what she's doing. 

All contact sports have an element of risk, but boxing isn't even in the top 28 most dangerous games, like rugby, sky-diving and hand-gliding, which rank higher," Nairn Atkins declared. 

Great for women 

According to Mike, "It's a brave man who would tackle a blonde with a punch like my daughter, Natasha." 

According to Natasha, "I grew up with boxing, and I just couldn't wait to have a go. I'd done all the usual things - swimming, jogging and aerobics, but all of them turned to be boring to me." 

"Boxing is exciting. It exercises every muscle in your body and it's a great way to release stress," she had said. 

300 applicants

Jane, then 25 was a stall-holder from Brighton who had been boxing for six years. 

For Jane Johnson the thrill of boxing is the one-to-one combat. 

"Boxing is simply pitting your skill against another fighter, knowing that if you hadn't trained properly you could get hurt - that's what gives you the edge," Jane Johnson had remarked. 

She had said that she has had occasional brusies and a bloodied nose because of inadequate training. "But, by the time I step into the ring for a title fight, I'll be spruced up for it." 

Trainer Mike Nairn's best student in the years gone by, Jane Johnson had dreamt of winning an Olympic gold, when she was 25 years old. That was in 1994. 

Jane had always believed that sooner or later, women's boxing is recognised as an Olympic sport and given international recognition. 

At the time, many young women in Britain were anxious and willing to take part in boxing. 

"But, age is all in the mind and I'm determined to take my place in the British Olympic squad - even if by then I'm a granny," had been Jane Johnson's abiding love for the sport. 

Gardener to Boxer 

"I had seen boxing on TV and I loved the realness, the rawness of the sport. It certainly gripped me and I couldn't wait to have a go myself," Sue remarked when she began her career at the age of 13.

In later years, when Sue Atkins had won the British title, she had openly clamoured for the cause of women's boxing. 

"I am an athlete. I've had fifteen fights and had lost only two. But men, in the boxing sport, just don't take women seriously. And, this is a big drawback for us." 

"We don't mind women. But, every boxer's got a mother and we like them to sell raffle tickets at the shows," was the statement a member of the Amateur Boxing Association made to Atkins. 

The need to become an undisputed champion cannot justify the physical abuse a boxer has to go through. In the last 70 to 80 years, over 500 boxers have died of ring-related injuries. So much so that the British and American Medical Associations have called for a ban on boxing. 

The Spanish State television network, once prohibited the relay of boxing bouts. But, still it has done nothing to prevent the brutality of the sport. For, many boxers' injury is more acceptable than poverty.

Made safer

Many of those punches would glance off the female boxer's body. But, once in a way a glove could hook through the air and connect with an opponent's head. As the fallen fighter regains composure and jumps to her feet there will be cheers and jeers. 

"Boxing is a way to make money in present times. But, it can be made a lot safer and the dangers minimised," Dr. Barry Jordon had once said. 

Where women's boxing is concerned strict regulations and more respectability should be given to the sport. 

The importance of an international regulatory body for women boxers must be stressed and implemented, if the sport is to gain international recognition.

Negombo are U- 23 champs.

Nuwan Priyankara led from the front with his allround display. He scored two fifties and captured 16 wickets.

His deputy Ranga Dias too proved his mettle as a fine allrounder scoring three half centuries including a brilliant 97 against Nomads CC and being among the wickets.

Maris Stella skipper Lakmal Fernando who scored a fine unbeaten 120 against Nomads, Canaric Cross, Ruwan Fernando, Lakmolke Fernando, Damian Fernando, Sanahasa Fernando and Maris Stella Under-17 captain Mevan Fernando too weighed in with useful contributions. Surangan Silva, Venura Fernando, Kasun Bulathishghala, Malik Jayawardene, Guttika Wigeymauni and Ajith Pusphakumar were the other members of the champion team.

Chelliah Player of the year

The winners and runners-up received the awards from the General Manager, Taj Samudra, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs.Pinnawela the Director of Sports, D.P Senaweera, Cecil Perera.

The respective prize winners and runners-up were:

Individual event for rank below life master sponsored by Abdul Majeed.

Gajen Thillainathan, Dr. Rose Pereira, Cera Fernando.

Individual event rank above life master sponsored by Raj Perera.

H.A Weerasooriya, M. Chelliah, K.P Baskaran.

Ladies' Pairs sponsored by T. Jeyarajasingam.

Mrs G. Singham and Glory Arasakumar, Sri Hari Saravanan and Rose Peiris, Shanthi Rasiah and Malini Wijeratne.

Pairs event rank and below life master sponsored by W.W Bandularatne.

Cecil Perera and Tony Soundaranayagam, Ann Modyand Fainza Marikkar, Cere Fernando and Mallika Wijekoon.

Pairs event above life master sponsored by Elmo Wijesinghe.

Fritz Perera and T. Shanmugalingam, Paul de Neise and Pesi Rustomjee, H.A Weerasooriya and M. P. Salgado.

Teams event Board, a match sponsored by Pradeep Gunasekera.

Baskaran's team - Anton Selvanayagam, K.P Baskaran, Fritz Perera, H.A Weerasooriya.

Professionals' team - Asoka Jayasinghe, Dr. Dilmajan Soysa, M. Chelliah, Sri Hari Saravanapavan.

Mixed Pairs sponsored by Dr. S.E. Jeyarajnom, G. Singham and Fritz Perera, Shanthi Rasiah and H.A Weerasooriya, Anthea de Alwis and K.P Baskaran.

Otters Open Pairs sponsored by Lucky Nettikumara, K.P Baskaran and Anton Selvanayagam, Cecil Perera and Mahen Jayatilleka, Sri Hari and M. Chelliah.

Ja-ela Open Pairs sponsored by Thomas Cook Travellers Cheques - Fritz Perera and M.P Salgado, Cecil Perera and Tony Soundranayagam, Anton Selvanayagam and K.P. Basksran.

Best mixed or Ladies Pair Anthea de Alwis and Shanthi Rasiah.

Best Ja-ela Pair.- Terence Fernando and Harold Perera:

Best Outstation Pair - Kenneth Perera and Joe Fernando,

Worldwide Bridge Contest

N/S. Dr H.H. Keerthisena and D.P Senaweera, Fritz Perera and M.P. Salgado, Pesi Rustomajee and Oscar Fernando.

E/W - Asoka Warnasooriya and Ismeth Ismail, Anton Selvanayagam and Nilam Ismail, M. Chelliah and K.P Baskaran.

Open Pairs for the Dr. Tudor Perera Memorial Trophy sponsored by Chandra Jayaweera and D.P. Senaweera-Anthon Selva-nayagam and K.P Baskaran, Fritz Perera and T Shanmugalingam, M.P Salgado and H. A Weerasooriya.

Best Mixed Pair -

Sri Hari and M. Chelliah,

Best Ladies Pair

Cera Fernando and Mallika Wijeratne.

Open teams sponsored by Multiform Chemicals donated by Thilak Karunaratne

Nilam's team - Nilam Ismail, Ismeth Ismail, Dr. Keerthisena, D.P Seenaweera, M Chelliah, Sri Hari.

Scorpions team - Glory Arasakumar, Podi Singham, Shanthi Rasiah, Anthea de Alwis, Ashantha de Mel.

Burnt Out Team - Pesi Rustomjee, Paul de Niese, Asoka Warnasooriya, Thillainadarajah, Gillian Ratnayake, de Niese

Individual Open - sponsored by D.P Senaweera

Anton Selvanayagam, K.P. Baskaran.

Open Pairs sonsored by East West Marketing Private Limited

- Dr. Dilanjan Soysa and Asoka Jayasinghe, Late V.P.A.H.A Weerasoriya.

Open Pairs spoonsored by Pyramid Ari Services Private Limited-Sri Hari and M. Chelliah, Nilam Ismail and K.P Basksran.

Mixed Pairs-Dr. Rose Peiris and Anton Selvanay-agam, Sri Hari and M Chelliah. Open Pairs for the V.P.A Perera Memorial Cup.

M. Cheliah and K.P. Baskaran, Fritz Perera and M.P. Salgado.

Open Pairs - Anthea de Alwis and Shanthi Rasiah, Anton Selvanayam and Nilam Ismail. 

Teams restricted - sponsored by N. Saravapavana-than - M. Chelliah and P. Baskaran, Asoka Jayasinghe and Dr. Dillanjan de Soysa. V.P.A. Perera and Sri Hari.

Teams restricated -Molligoda, Cecil Perera, Brian Rodrigo, Thillaina-darajah, Cera Fernando, Mallika Wijekoon, Shamugalingam, Suren.

Teams Mixed - Paul de Niese, Manel de Niese, H.A Weerasooriya, Gillian Ratnayake, Anthea de Alwis, K.P. Baskaran, Shanthi Rasiah, Nilam Ismail.

Teams Ladies sponsored by Careem Jewellers - Dr. Rose Peiris, Sri Hari, Therese Candappa, Nesta, Rita de Alwis, Jenny Fernando, Chandra, Pavalam.

Open Pairs President Cup

M. Chelliah and K.P Baskaran, Nilan Ismail, Anton Selvanayagam.

Mixed Pairs team played for the Louise Tissera Memorial Trophy - M. Chelliah, Srittan Saravanapavan, Thillaina-than, Malini Wijeratne, M.P. Salgado, G. Singham, Asoka Warnasooriya, Fainza Macan Markar.

Running reflection

Acid Test beats the handicapper

By Ismail Khan

Lingfield shot the day off to a splendid start with 7/4 favorite Half Tone toning along from the outset to record an easy victory from Dancing Jack and Dande Times, the winning rider being Dane O'Neill.

Race No. 2 went to M. Johnston trained Three Bay Trees from Icenic and Brenda Dee. This was an auction stakes and the horse having no bid was held back.

Horses to follow from the first two events: Half Tone for more wins and Brenda Dee when he gets a better draw.

The next event the Trackside Claimer went to odds-on Java Shrine on whom rider N. Pollard, the claimer did not exert a sinew to record an easy victory from Ki Cha Saga and Ertlon. Follow the winner Java Shrine for more laurels in the near future.

Acid Test was put to severe test by the handicapper giving him 9.1O to shoulder and he came out of it with flying colours whipping Baritone by an easy margin. Follow Acid Test next time out too specially with R. FitzPatrick on his back.

Sir Michael Prescott turned out the winner of the fifth race the Silk Suite Handicap over a mile, his 3 year old Lincoln Dean hammering the daylights out of Love Diamonds with C. Nutter on board.

Curtains came down at Lingfield as Isabella Gonzaga, aptly rounded off a jolly good day's racing scooting away with the £3500 Centurion Fillies Handicap over a distance of 12 furlongs ably ridden by Adrian Culhane. She will win again.

At Wolverhampton's floodlit meet the winners were: Love Blues, Bold Frontier, Sundest, Thekryati, Faym and Hi Mujtahid.

The pick of the lot: Pride Of Brixton beaten by Bold Frontier to catch the judges eye in the near future; Sudest the winner of Shamrock Handicap to get his hat-trick on his next outing, Faym the winner of the St. Patrick's Seller to continue his good work and Areisa between in a sizzler by Hi Mujtahid to avenge his defeat at the same centre next weekend.

So that's for the day on the All Weather Flat. See you next weekend with more comments especially for you.

New kids on the block

By Callistus Davy

Unlike the upstart, sophisticated and professional cricketer, they appear good natured, well mannered, predictable, willing to learn and are also taking lessons in public relations which includes facing cameras and reporters.

The training squad, numbering 28 members, is a reflection of the Cricket Board's plan to foster the balance of the country's national side in the new century. Their first major challenge is a grueling one month tour of India which begins on February 14. 

The mechanism for futuristic national sides may not sound strange, but how may of the youngsters will finally make the grade is another matter. On present standings the new hopefuls may have more than just a fight with bat and ball in a country that leaves very little room for openings. 

The cases of Marvan Atapattu now 25 and Mahela Jayawardena the present whiz-kid of Sri Lankan cricket bear unparalleled testimony to the plight of budding players. A talented player, Atapattu secured his place on the forced exit of his predecessor Asanka Gurusinghe while Jayawardena came out in all his charm to replace an injured Aravinda de Silva. Several more players contemporary to Atapattu and Jayawardena, don't know whether they are to continue trying or quit in disgust.

The squad's coach Carlton Bernadus though is an optimistic trainer who believes that his efforts in moulding the youngsters will not be in vain. "This is a feeder to the national squad. If we can get five players from each Under 19 squad that is trained, it will certainly be an achievement. It will help the Board's vision for the future", explains Bernadus, a retired First Class cricketer.

Bernadus is hoping the tour of India, which takes in three 4-day Test matches and five one-dayers, will harden and motivate the would-be cricketers for future assignments with the senior team.

Initially Bernadus had as many as 90 players selected from 18 districts in the country. The number was pruned down to 35 and from the present 28, will be selected 16 players who will make it on the tour of the sub-continent.

Upeka Fernando, a schoolboy from S. Thomas' College Mount Lavinia, is a strong contender for the captain's post on the grounds of seniority and his inclusion as the only teenager in a tentative national squad for the World Cup in May-June this year. A player of medium build by Sri Lankan standards, Fernando is not short of talent as a batsman.

Bernadus nonetheless prefers to stop short of predicting the players who will make up the final 16-member squad to India. But some of the players under close scrutiny are batsmen Thilina Kandambi (Ananda College), Ian Daniel (St. Joseph's College), Mahesh Perera (St. Peter's College), Nalin Wijesinghe (St. Sebastian's College), Hashantha Fernando (Prince of Wales College), Malintha Gajanayake (D.S. Senanayake MV), Chanaka Wijesinghe (St. Sylvester's Kandy) Pubudu Seneviratne (Dharmarajah College Kandy) and Chamara Silva, a club player from Panadura.

Prasanna Jayawardena, a promising wicket-keeper from St. Sebastian's College is earmarked as the next Sri Lankan stumper. He represented Sri Lanka in the Youth World Cup last January in South Africa and is tipped to be the first choice ahead of Jerome Fernando from St. Peter's College. But because of his added ability as an opening batsman, Fernando has plenty of clout to book a berth on the tour of India.

Bowlers are not a rarity either. Leading them is Kalutara schoolboy Malinga Bandara, a leg spinner who has already had a taste of professional cricket when he played with the senior side in a home Test against New Zealand last year. Jehan Mubarak (Royal College), Ranil Dhammika (Lumbini College), Lilan Aravinda (Panadura) and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara (Ananda College) .

Even the pacemen are bountiful with Ruwan Silva (Kalutara Town Club), Sanjeewa Arangalla (Raddoluwa), Prabath Nishantha and Sampath Kelum (Matara Sports Club) Roshan de Silva (St. Joseph's College), Kaushal Weeraratne (Trinity) and Duminda Perera who represents Bloomfield Cricket Club in the premier First Class tournament.

Golf helps to build discipline: Captain

Ravi Nagahawatte

The lanky golfer who has grown up with the sport strikes a point whenever he gets the opportunity to define someone who is not disciplined while playing . "You can strike the ball well. But if you are not mentally focused, the ball might not travel to the desired place," says Captain.

Rusi is down to earth when he says that there are times in the golf course when emotions get the better of him. " I get annoyed when the playing conditions of the course is not upto the required standard. Golf teaches you discipline. But I am not too sure whether I have learnt it, "said Captain in an interview with the 'The Sunday Times'.

While experiencing great success in the sport, the six time winner of the Royal Colombo Golf Club Championship has encountered situations while playing where nothing has come right.

When asked what he does then, Rusi answered the question positively bringing back into remembrance a lesson the sport has taught him. "You have to learn to accept this," says Captain who will assure you that patience is something that can be accrued by playing golf.

Most sports coaches have stated that undisciplined sportsmen will never make it in sports. But Rusi Captain is one exception.

Death Anniversary of Otsuka

Looking into the childhood of this great teacher, it is known that he had been given in the care of yet another venerated 'guru' in, Yokiyoshi Nakayama, just after five years of age. There, began a spiritual way of life for this young boy which he continued till his death .

Learning his martial arts well from his teacher, Otsuka had later shifted his attention towards obtaining an university education and had successfuly completed his studies. With the acquired education he was instrumental in constructing programmes to develop the man- power which his country was badly in need of at the time. These development programmes which were carried out under the patronage of the country's king delivered the goods by producing educationists and contributors who strengthened the economy. However one lose-end in the kings programme-the lack of guidance to improve on discipline and good values of life - was visibly seen by the conduct of the people .

It had been one Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan Judo, who had taken the initial step towards bringing about this badly needed change in the character deveplopment of the people. Records reveal that the great Otsuka had also done everything possible for this great cause. (RN)

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