Venue for Age Group changed

The venue for the 13th Age Group Swimming and Diving Championships has been changed from Bangalore to New Delhi from August 20 to 25.

Marlons De Lano and Gihan Ranatunga won all their events for boys in the under-19 and open and open age groups while Natasha Kodituwakku and Theekshana Ratnasekara did likewise winning their respective events in the under-19 girls' age group.

It is interesting to note the defeat of Gheffari Dulapandan of SSC who was beaten by Sujendra Metha of Rainbow Aquatic Club in the 50 metres free style.

Results: Open Men 1500 metres Free Style:

Marlon S. Delano (St. Joseph's) 18.01.97, S.M. Ranasinghe (Air Force) 21.38.28.

100 metres Free Style:

Gheffari Dulapandan (SSC) 57.79, Anuradha Perera (Trinity) 58.49, Sujendra Metha (Rainbows) 59.20.

200 metres Individual Medley:

S.P.S.S. Kaushalya (Ananda) 2.45.27, J. Ranatunga (Army) 2.50.21.

100 metres Back Stroke: H.E. Nishantha (RCU) 1.06.57, K.V.C. Priyadarsha (Army) 1.09.79.

400 Free Style:

Marlon Delano (St. Joseph's) 4.29.89, Anuradha Perera (Trinity) 4.50.57, S.M. Ranasinghe (Air Force) 5.22.43.

100 metres Breast Stroke:

S.S.P.S. Kaushalya (Ananda) 1.14.60, Sumith Attanayake (AAC) 1.25.77, Upul Kumara (Army) 1.27.85.

100 metres Butterfly:

Gheffari Dulapandan (SSC) 1.02.04, Prateesh Seevaratnam (Royal) 1.05.69, R.K. Priyantha (Army) 1.08.07.

200 metres Free Style:

Gheffari Dulapandan (SSC) 2.10.23, Anuradha Perera (Trinity) 2.10.34, K.V.C. Priyadarsana (Army) 2.12.66.

200 metres Back Stroke: Marlon S. Delano (St. Joseph's) 2.25.65, K.V.C. Priyadarsana (Army) 2.35.97.

400 metres Individual Medley: Marlon S. Delano (St. Joseph's) 5.04.73.

200 metres Butterfly: Prateesh Seevaratnam (Royal) 2.24.96, H. Hissabulla (S. Thomas') 2.31.93.

200 metres Breast Stroke:

Marlon S. Delano (St. Joseph's) 2.43.18, S.P.S.S. Kaushalya (Ananda) 2.48.05, Sumith Attanayake (AAC), 3.10.12.

50 metres Free Style: Sujendra Metha (Rainbows) 25.63, Gheffari Dulapandan (SSC) 25.80, Anuradha Perera (Trinity) 26.95.

Dav for England

From Rangi Akbar In England

Dav Whatmore of Lancashire, who coached Sri Lanka to a World Cup win in 1996 is one of the coaches being ear-marked to take over England's cricket after David Lloyd's contract ended with England World Cup knock-out by India on Sunday.

An England working party is currently going through a shortlist of candidates which includes New Zealander John Wright, Sussex's Dave Gilbert and Dav Whatmore.

But David Lloyd has warned Lord's not to give his job as England coach to a foreigner who is here, only for the money?

"I have been asked for my opinion and I am certain it has to be an Englishman," said Lloyd.

Gradually Lord's seemed to be convinced that they should turn to another Englishman, probably Jack Birkenshaw, the Yorkshireman behind the Leicestershire team who have won two county championships.Lloyd himself feels that Birkenshaw is the man for the job. "He could fit into the job easily", said Lloyd.

The appointment of men with similar qualifications - Micky Stewart, Keith Fletcher, Ray Illingworth and Lloyd himself - has not changed the downward trend of the England team in the past ten years.

Some of the rulers of the domestic game in England look enviously at the work Whatmore did for Sri Lanka and what Steve Rixon and Bobby Simpson are still doing for New Zealand and India.

As for Sri Lanka, they better get rid of those "hangers" on at dressing rooms and appoint a good foreign coach.

If Sri Lanka is contemplating on getting Ian Botham as coach they better drop the idea as his personal track record is putrid being associated with drugs and sex romps.The next tournament will take place in South Africa and the organisers had better learn some lessons from this one.

The fundamental objective of the tournament is to find the best one day side in the world and it seems unjust that one side should get a bonus for a fine day while another is unjustly punished.

As for me the only way Zimbabwe can prove that their win against South Africa was not 'fixed' is for them to win the World Cup!

It happened last week

May 25, 1935 - Owens sets six world records in 45 minutes.

Jesse Owens ensured his fame as a sporting genius went far beyond the athletics track in 1936 when he won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics - a black man demolishing Adolf Hitler's claims of Aryan superiority. But it was a year earlier, on a Saturday afternoon in May in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that the 21-year-old sharecropper's son from Alabama gave the world an extraordinary foretaste of his abilities.

Representing Ohio State University in the Big Ten championships, Owens broke five world records and equalled a sixth in the space of 45 minutes and despite back pain that meant he required help in getting dressed.At 3.15 p.m. Owens equalled the 100 metres record of 9.4 seconds.

He followed it immediately with the long jump record, leaping 26 feet and eight and a quarter inches (8.13 metres) at his first attempt.It was the first leap over eight metres and a record that was to endure for the following 25 years.

At 3.45 p.m. Owens won the 220 yards sprint in 20.3 seconds, a record also counting for the slightly shorter 200 metres.

At 4 p.m. he ran the 220 yards (and 200 metres) hurdles in a record 22.6 seconds."When the meeting was over the pain returned to my back," he said. "I had to be practically carried to the dressing room".

His feat was acclaimed afterwards as "the greatest single day in the history of man's athletic achievements".

Wragg's Passe Passe to bring back losses

By Ismail Khan

The principal flat horse-racing centre in the North of England Haydock staged one of its ambitious meets last week which resulted in some good animals obliging and some others not so lucky having to be consoled with consolation berths hoping for better effort next time out.

One such placed filly with plenty of potential was A.E. Oppenheimer owned and Gerry Wragg trained, Michael Roberts ridden Passe Passe who finished a very good third behind 12/1 chance Summer Splendour and Sena Desert.

Backed down to 7/4 on her good 3rd at Haydock on 1/5 the 3 year old came through with raking strides at the fag end of the event the Renault Maiden Fillies Stakes over 1 1/2 miles but the winning post came too early for her.

On her next run Passe Passe a filly sired in the United States should hold her own in maiden company over a distance of ground. So follow her.

Haydock began the day with Heathyards Blessing hammering the opener a Maiden Auction Stakes for 2 year olds with authority from Maron and Bally Cyrano. Horse to follow from this event - Bally Cyrano who did not get a clear run.

The Buckershow Conditions Stakes over a mile went to M. Jarvis trained Alrassan who beat Teapot Row easily. Follow the winner for more Condition event wins.

The £10, 000 Coral Stakes a Showcase race over a mile was a well contested affair and Taffs Well a good runner-up last essay, well ridden by Kierran Fallon beat Nominator Lad in taking style, Bold King finishing 3rd. On this good win B. Ellison trained Taffs Well looks primed for more winning encounters.

Fallon completed a good double when booting home the favourite Mayo at 11/4 from Senure in the 4th event the Scottish Equitable Handicap over 10 furlongs. Mayo won so handsomely that Henry Cecil thinks of sending him over to France for handicap events.

Race number five at Haydock the Renault Seller went to Siana Springs from Step Ahead and Tinsel Whistle. Horse to follow:- Step Ahead who looks good for a Condition event.

As I told you earlier Summer Splendour won the Renault Maiden Stakes from Sena Desert and Passe Passe. Horse to follow Passe Passe.

Curtains came down on the Haydock programme with Pandjojoe stepping out from recent two wins to hammer home the advantage of good 'going' and the 7 pounds pull from his apprentice rider to win the £3,500 Monks Heath Apprentices Handicap off a mark of 75 at the average ratings. Pandjojoe started favourite at 100/30 and was at 15/8 at the off and he won so well that a repeat is possible as early as this coming week. So follow him.

That's all for today. More next week. Good hunting.

Maradana Police Vs. "Choppe" and "Madavia"

During the period I was attached to Narahenpita Police there was a Municipal by-election for the Borella North Ward due to the death of its sitting member Dr. W.D. De Silva who was also known as "Dadibidi Silva". This ward had two polling booths, one at All Saints' School behind the Church at Campbell Park and the other at the Wanathamulla Community Centre with its dare devil population living in slums and shanties which was always referred to as "Korea". Wanathamulla then was famous for hand bombs and kasippu and was the breeding place of most of the underworld gangsters. This election came within the Borella Police area.

Even though I was not working at Borella, I was picked from Narahenpita to be in-charge of the Wanathamulla Community Centre Polling station by A.S.P. T.S Bongso and Inspector K.S De Silva who was O.I.C Borella as I had worked in Borella earlier and I was familiar with the Wanathamulla area and the characters living there. Two of the most powerful personalities at Wanathamulla were one "Sena Malli", a leading kasippu mudalali who was very wealthy and popular who looked after the poor people and they looked upon him as "God Father". There was also " Margaret Nona", a tall dusky dame who was a real black beauty who was also politically very powerful due to her personality and charisma who could be seen dancing away at many a May Day rally with the men-folk, in high spirits.

The candidates who contested this by-election were Jinadasa Niyathapala of the United National Party, Victor Wijesooriya of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party and H.D.S Darmasiriwardane of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

The election campaign was headed by V.A. Sugathadasa for the U.N.P., Mrs Vivienne Guwawardene on behalf of the LS.S.P and for the S.L.F.P Halim Ishak who is still a regular walker at Galle Face in the mornings whom I meet daily.

Knowing Wanathamulla well and what is in store I told my A.S.P. that I should be allowed to handpick my men from Narahenpita Police to be on duty with me at the Wanathamulla Polling Station and this was granted. I and my men moved into the polling station two days ahead and took up residence. For the residents of Wanathamulla this by-election was more a carnival with a lot of drinking, singing, dancing, raban playing and lighting of crackers. They never slept in the nights and neither did we. The pre-election days went without any incidents.

The day of the election was very tense and electrifying with the rival supporters waiting for the sightest provocation to create violence. The election too went off without any problems and the ballot boxes were removed from Wanathamulla to All Saints' School which was also the counting centre. I with my contingent too moved to Campbell Park where there was a massive crowd to hear the results. Campbell Park then was one sprawling park with trees with the Bloomfield Cricket Club at the centre. But there were no walls like today dividing the park.

Late in the night the results were announced and the winner was Jinadasa Niyathapala of the U.N.P. Then the fireworks began with bombs going off everywhere at the Campbell Park and the crowds running in all directions and there was utter pandemonium. Harvey Campbell, a reputed press photographer who was present to cover the election was injured and his camera damaged in addition to several others. I along with the riot squad cleared the crowds and with the help of the headlights of the riot squad truck had to collect two shrapnels of the bombs as productions and patrol the area till dawn to prevent any clashes. This election was a real experience. In 1994 Rodney Aluwihare was appointed Captain of Police Rugby. He was a prop forward who learnt his Rugby at Trinity College. The Police coach was Geof Weinman who was our local version of the Hollywood actor Jeff Chandler and equally handsome who played for CR&RC and Ceylon as a flanker.

This year, in order to further strengthen Police Rugby, we were able to recruit two outstanding schoolboy rugby players in M.A Majeed of Zahira College Rugby who was then playing for CR& RC as a fast winger and a hard tackler and Ananda Piyasena who captained Trinity and who played as a play half or a centre. This helped to boost the image of Police Rugby further, and we had a satisfying season.

During this year I was transferred suddenly to Maradana Police Station from Narahenpita due to an incident involving three sub inspectors and two notorious thugs. The then Officer-in-Charge of Maradana was Inspector L Egodapitiya, a tough cop who was well versed in his law and Police work who had his early education at Trinity College and later at Maries Stella College, Negombo. One afternoon he was driving his Austin A 30 car in civils along Maradana Road near Ananda College when he encountered a drunken gang led by 'Choppe' Dharmadasa and 'Madavi' Somapala, two notorious thugs who were celebrating their being enlarged on bail in a murder case, going to attack a rival gang. Egodapoitoya, OIC. Maradana, a brave cop he is, stopped the car to prevent a clash. "Madavi" whipped out a dagger and went to stab the OIC Maradana. Choppe Dharmadasa managed to identify Egodapitiya and dragging 'Madavi" took to his heels along with the gang.

OIC Maradana, Egodapitiya came to the Police Station and informed his Inspector Crimes, H.Y.De Silva and Sub Inspectors Tassie Senevirtne, Sarath Borelessa (both my batchmates) and S. Sivasubramaniam of this incident and wanted this gang arrested before they created more trouble. A search was launched and "Choppe" and "Madavia" were arrested in the night while watching a film at the Regal Cinema. And whilst they were being brought in a police truck along McCallum Rd. presently D.R Wijewardena Mawatha, the two thugs fought the police to free themselves and jumped from the fast moving truck and received serious injuries which resulted in Choppe being admitted to hospital and Madawi Somapala dying.

The underworld gangsters who were powerful with the politicians began an agitation against the Maradana Police and an inquiry was conducted after which Sub Inspector Tassie Seneviratne, Sarath Boralessa and S. Sivasubra-maniam were charged by the crown for murder.It was during this tense period that I was transferred to Maradana and I with a Police party had to escort the funeral procession of "Madavi" Somapala which was attended by all the underworld mafia kings from Maligakanda Road to General Cemetery, Kanatte. They had even chartered a small plane to drop flowers at the funeral procession. Choppe Dharma-dasa survived, but was later stabbed to death by one of the members of his gang.

In the murder case against the three sub inspectors, Crown Counsel Ranjit Abeyasooriya appeared for the prosecution and G.G. Ponnambalam Sr. appeared for the defence and they were discharged. But it cost them a case of Johnny Walker Black Label Whisky each day the case was heard for their defence.

England and Sri Lanka eliminated

The World Cup opener between Sri Lanka and England was statistically acclaimed as the game that attracted the highest viewership ever in cricket history. Such was the build up to this World Cup that is in progress. The reigning champions playing against the host nation (expected to dominate because of their knowledge of early season home conditions) was the perfect draw card.

Sadly though, after the completion of round one both teams have had to say goodbye to the competition. Sri Lanka stuttered and stumbled from the word go. It was evident from game one that they lacked the bowlers to be competitive in the conditions that were prevailing. Their fifteen man squad had three quick men and one medium pacer. Another two quicker bowlers should have been part of their make up. As it did happen Chandika Hathuru-singhe and Ruwan Kalpage simply could not be slotted into a single game. The Sri Lankans were exposed for not having done their homework. Where the other teams were stacked with medium and quick bowlers the Sri Lankans banked more on their slower men who had brought them glory in the past. They looked "fish out of water !"

The batting had to click if they were to compromise for what they lacked in the bowling department. The national selectors banked on experience. Jayasuriya, Kaluwitharane, Atapattu, de Silva, Ranatunge, Mahanama, Tillekaratne, collectively form the most experienced combination in world batting. Add Mahela Jayawardena to that list and what more do you want to ask for ? They often fell victims to the wobbling ball. This was partly due to the lack of technique and partly due to their unwillingness to occupy the crease and work for their runs. They had not focused their preparation to adapt to early season English conditions and paid dearly for it.

The hosts got off to a good start beating Sri Lanka and then Kenya. They were comprehensively beaten by the South Africans but outplayed Zimbabwe to be comfortably placed with one game to go. They were being talked of as one of the favourites to reach the semi-finals and why not?

England's bowling looked formidable. Led by Gough, then Fraser and the very impressive Mullaly. The support being lent by Ealham and Hollioake, with Flintoff to support. They should have used the off spinner Robert Croft. Such was the thinking. Use the seamers first up and keep the spinner for the next round. That was not to be for the hosts. They were edged out by the enthusiastic . Indians the world caved in for Stewart's men on that fateful last day of their first round game against India. Forced into the second day due to rain the English batsmen could not handle the pressure of a "must win" situation. The Indian bowlers applied relentless pressure too and much to the disappointment of all England her players were eliminated at the first stage of the competition.

The team that has performed beyond expectations is Zimbabwe.They are enjoying the English condtions. Their pitches have some similarity in that they provide assistance for the seamer. Where they have really excelled is in the fielding department. Some of the catches they clung onto against the South Africans were out of this world. They have collected four points from their first round encounters and one win this round could give them a chance to get into the semi-finals.

The other team enjoying the same comfortable position is Pakistan. They seem certain to enter the semi's. Their loss to Bangladesh would not have pleased their supporters. Nevertheless it gave them a timely reminder that they are not unbeatable. It also did not affect their standing in the competition in any way.

The mighty South Africans suffered a dent to their professional reputation when they put up a totally unprofessional batting display against the Zimbabweans. It was the first ever defeat they experienced at the hands of their neighbours. Time and again in this tournament their batsmen have got themselves into difficulty, only the middle order strength has got them out of jail. They lost two vital points as a result of that defeat. Now its hard work to get into the last four. They are capable of doing just that.

Although without a single point (in the Super Sixes) at this stage a team not to be written off are the Australians. After a shaky start they have gradually clawed their way back into form. They are the team that has shown improvement through the five game first round. Glen McGrath's devastating bowling against the West Indians would have given the Aussies that extra bit of confidence.

Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Australia and South Africa are the teams that I fancy would advance into the semi-finals. Its no undermining the other four sides. This tournament is testing the teams in so many variable aspects connected to the game. That is the reason Sri Lanka and England are not in the fray. They were not upto it and they only have themselves to blame.

Jonty-a magnetic personality on the field

By Bernie Wijesekera

Jonty Rhodes, one of the most popular personalities in international cricket today, is undoubtedly one of the key players in the South African team, where he has contributed much for their success in the on-going World Cup with his acrobatic fielding and his intelligent batting in the middle order when things seem to be slipping away. He rises to the occasion be it at the Test level or otherwise.

Jonathan Rhodes, is a great believer in faith. I was fortunate to meet him and have a personal interview with him when the South Africans toured Sri Lanka in 1993. Meeting this simple and unassuming sportsman on and off the field, has left an indelible mark in my journalistic career.

Firstly he said if he had anything in life, especially in the willow wielding game, then he owes it to his father, who nursed and nurtured him to reach stardom and do proud to his country.

He continued: "Both my parents are teachers. My dad Digby was a greater lover of sports and it was he who instilled the fundamentals to me and my two brothers Kevin and Clinton, the youngest to be disciplined and conduct ourselves in whatever walk of life.

"My dad was a very good coach. He knew the basics and the practical side of the game. Like in religion he not only spread the gospel of cricket to me and my brothers but also to others as a school coach."

Jonty says that like most kids the trio started playing in the backyard. He first handled the bat as a 10 year old kid. The three of them did much damage to the windows of neighbouring houses as a result.

Wonderful parents

This was unavoidable as there wasn't much room to swing the willow around he said. But my mum Tish, the Queen of my Heart, understood the problems and we continued with the game in the backyard. The three of us were blessed with wonderful parents, who had the patience and tolerance and gave of their best. Well Mary and Joseph are at home? You are right.

Apparently some of the new rich sportsmen tend to forget the very people who helped them at the grassroots level. At times they even forget their parents calling them as old men and old ladies, in these modern times.

Jonty has not forgotten his past and was not shy to speak the truth. He said his father was not a provincial cricketer either, but played at club level. He trained me and my youngest brother Clinton to play for Natal 'B'. Jonty, the dedicated cricketer went one step further by gaining a place in the national team. He also played hockey and was a member of the national hockey pool, for two years, but never played for South Africa. He concentrated on the willow wielding sport and today is an asset to the country and an ambassador par excellence.

Greatest fielder

Today you are tagged as the greatest fielder in the mould of Colin Bland. Any comments?

It's all due to hard work, dedication and devotion. Further one should not think that one knows everything. We must listen to what others have to say and learn by rectifying our own mistakes, Jonathan emphasized. "Mr. Know Alls" here please take note of. You need not get down a Trevor Chappel to improve your fielding but through one's own perseverance. Sri Lanka too, had fielders of the calibre of Rhodes, the like of Hector Perera, Bertie Wijesinghe, George Rajapakse, David Heyn, Clive Inman etc.

Well, Rhodes created a sensation in the World Cup held in Australia and in New Zealand in 1992 with the running out of Pakistan's Inzamam-Ul-Haq as one of the rare achievements? It's simple. I worked on my fielding training for hours all by myself. One has to be motivated and this could be achieved if the player is fit with regular exercises even during off season, smiled Jonty. Put aside the off season, how many of our cricketers train to a plan to improve in this all-important discipline.

Ambassadors

The South African team playing here in 1993 for the first time after being in the wilderness for 21 years, was tagged as a fine set of ambassadors under Hansie Cronje on and off the field. Amiable Rhodes was one of them. This did have a telling effect on some of the greats like Barry Richards, Mike Procter, Tony Greig (who later played for England and captained the team), Kepler Wessels who opened batting for Australia and scored a 100 against Sri Lanka in Test. Kepler went back to South Africa and led the team. Rhodes stated that fellowship and sportsmanship paved the way for better future even in cricket.

On this tour Jonty showed his sportsmanship in abundance. His good sportmanship came out alive, when he recalled Sanath Jayasuriya, signalling to the umpire that the ball touched the ground when taking a catch. He said the game was more important than the outcome of the match. This is not something that only I could do, but all sportsmen must do, he added. This I owe to my parents, who have instilled in me to be truthful in life, added Jonty.

It could have been nice if Muralidaran recalled Shaun Pollock back when he caught and bowled the batsman when the ball reared off the ground, than putting it to the third umpire. This happened in the recent World Cup match, that too against South Africa, apparently attributed to win at all cost. But Sri Lanka still lost by 89 runs..

Realities of Faith

Today sportsmanship is on the wane worldwide due to too much of professionalism and money. But Rhodes is a rare character. According to Rhodes 'Cricket' is a up and down game. If you succeed you're happy, if you fail which is more often than not, then you get stressed out. So I was living a roller coaster life and I needed this peace that saw the Lord Jesus. Being an Anglican his parents too believe in Faith. The South African cricket heroes like Hansie Cronje, Shaun Pollock and Jonty have grasped the realities in Faith.

If Jonty fails, he still believes in Faith and keeps on repeating the word Faith. That's why it makes me to realize the realities in life, in this fast changing world. One has to find one's own salvation.

Jonty says this in the magazine 'Outreach Catch' "I think that's the greatest witness. It's living your Faith because you can easily say things in the press but when it's 40 degrees out there and someone's just dropped a catch, your true character comes through".

Having a close relationship with the Lord has helped Jonty live a balanced life, in this unpredictable world of international cricket.

He never gives excuses for setbacks unlike some of other present day sportsmen - blame the pitch, the weather, the umpire off the field, problems of mental stress. One has to motivate by oneself rather than getting professionals, which is a waste of time and money. Faith is also Karma.

Claricon call

Meeting Jonty in Sri Lanka after he made his great maiden Test 100 not out at Moratuwa, that too when the chips were down when South Africa was facing defeat Jonty the gutty player answered it as a Clarion Call. Batting with nine, ten and Jack he saved the match, when Sri Lanka bowlers had two sessions to bowl out the last three batsmen.

He told me it was the best knock of his career. Jonty's impression about the Lankan people were that they are very friendly and knowledgeable about the game. There is tremendous competition and the players play with authority.

Fittingly Rhodes, deserved the Man-of-the-Match award for his back to the wall innings. But adjudicator Daya Sahabandu thought otherwise and gave it to a Sri Lanka player. Instead of deciding on his own he kept on asking others for their opinion. Even a blind man would have adjudged Jonty for his heroics.In the end T.B. Kehelgamuwa who played pandu with Bandu for the Nomads, said: "'Shak' you ate us and ate the country." It raised many an eyebrow.

But in the end Jonty just smiled and made many friends in Sri Lanka. To this affable cricketer, who believes in Faith, he has served the country in its hour of need. Awards are secondary.

In this on-going World Cup, he has played a dynamic role for South Africa cause.With his 'headlong' dives and spear like actions through the air he is a source of excitement in every game he plays.

His carefree hitting in the middle order keeps the runs pouring. His Faith has helped him to go from strength to strength. He speaks well of the media, who has inspired him to reach greater echelons. He is never shy to meet the media. even if they critizise him. In the end thank you for kind words. This is Rhodes the Gentleman, Jim of Cricket.

His wife Kate, whom he met in the University, is a lovable character. Both played hockey for the undergrads. She too believes in Faith and is a great source of encouragement to Jonty.

Rhodes spends some of his time in helping the coloured youth to improve their skills.

Like Mother Theresa, Princess Diana, Jonty, too helps others sans caste, race or colour.

God's gift to you is life. What you do with it, is your gift to God".

Kumara the find of the season

By Ravi Nagahawatte

If the authorities of CH and FC start valuing one of their newest finds Nuwan Kumara , they will realise that they have struck gold.

The twenty year old lad is ambitious , willing to learn and plays rugby as if it's the only thing that is available to prove himself.

However critics say that he is not dabbling in the right sport. For many, the former Thurstanite seems to be too small to even consider playing rugby.

But Nuwan knows how the opinions on him change when the ball comes to him.

He runs like a cheetah who is in pursuit for a catch that he has been denied of for days.

Probably he read somewhere the great saying,"Greatness comes to those with determination and courage".

Nuwan like many other lads could not decide on what sport to stick to until one of his games masters approached him with the idea.

"I was seriously involved in both rugby and table tennis. Then one day the master in charge of table tennis asked me whether I will stick to rugby or table tennis. He wanted me to commit myself to table tennis . But my heart was in rugby . I knew if chose rugby I could captain the school one day".

Looking into the annals of Thurstan rugby the name Nuwan Kumara will top the list of those who have brought honour to the school.

He led his school to be the best that year -1998- and together with fourteen others made the red, yellow and blue flag flutter above the rest.

Thurstan were declared champions in the President's Trophy Knock Out Tournament last year after winners Zahira were forfeited of the trophy for fielding players who were not eligible to stay in school.

"It would have been better to have won the trophy on the day of the final. It would have had more value" said Nuwan while reflecting back on the schools final played last year.

Nuwan says that he cannot stay without engaging himself in some sport throughout the year. The lad still plays table tennis and sometimes swims during the off season.

He knows the value of education . That is why he skipped the Advance Level Examination last year since he knew that he could not divert all his attention to studies.

"I am still going to school and I am hoping to do my examination this August".

Nuwan , who made it to the national pool while being a schoolboy , is a player who can add the punch to any three quarter line.

Nuwan who is a potential centre three quarter is currently being tried out as a wing three quarter at his club. " I am still studying this position".

He says that he likes 'sevens' rugby .With his abilty to run like a gazelle and side-step without breaking his rhythm who will dare to oppose his choice in the smaller version of the game.

And what does he have to say about his small frame?. " It does not bother me because I play rugby with my heart".

Abdeen to coach

Former Havelocks, CH and Sri Lanka rugby captain Hisham Abdeen has formulated a programme to conduct a coaching clinic for schoolboys between the ages of 13 and 19 beginning next month. Classes will be conducted every Saturday from 7.30 to 9.30 a.m. at Havelock Park. Registration forms for enrollment will be available at the club office from next week.

Abdeen also has plans to conduct fitness lessons for members and non-members of Havelocks thrice a week on week-day evenings.

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