Arnold to lead Sri Lanka 'A' ?

The national selectors have picked a 25 member cricket pool in preparation for the Sri Lanka 'A' squad tour of South Africa from October 24 to November 28.

The Sri Lanka 'A' team will play three 3-day games, two 4-day games and three 1-day internationals.

The Sunday Times learns that Russel Arnold in tipped to be appointed the captain of the 'A' team with Stanley Jayasinghe as Manager.

The squad: Russel Arnold, Aviskha Gunawardena, T.M.Dilshan, Shanta Kalivitagoda, Pradeep Hewage, Upeka Fernando, Indika de Saram, Chamara Silva, Naveed Nawaz, Sajith Fernando, Saman Jayantha, Prasanna Jayawardena, Nimesh Perera, Bathiya Perera, Ranga Herath, Thilan Samaraweera, Ruchira Perera, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Indika Gallage, Suresh Perera, Prabath Nissanka, Ishara Amarasinghe, Niroshan Bandaratilleka, Chintika Jayasinghe, Kumara Sangakkara.

Tour itinerary: October '99 24-26 North West/Free State/Griqualand West XI, Potchefstroom, 29-31, Gauten/Northern XI, The Wanderers. November '99

5-7 Eastern Province/Border XI, St. George's Park, 11-14 South Africa 'A', Super Sport Centurion, 18-21 South Africa 'A', Pietermaritzburg Oval, 24 (One Day International) South Africa 'A,' Chatsworth, 26 (One Day International) South Africa 'A', Boland PKs Park, Paari, 28th (One Day International) South Africa 'A', Newlands.

Unseeded Hamid upsets Jayaratne

By Ravi Nagahawatte

Unseeded M.J.A Hamid beat fancied A.Jayaratne by 238 points to 200 in a key second round billiards fixture of the ongoing Moor's Sports Club Open Billiard and Snooker Championship at Braybrooke Place yesterday.

Jayaratne, curently ranked as Sri Lanka's third best player, found it hard to contend the lesser known Hamid of Burgher Recreation Club and was forced to eat humble pie after a hectic battle with his adversary. Jayaratne also represents BRC.

M.S.Sharvardi (Moors) and M.Irshad (Automobile Sports Club) had close calls as they overcame their opponents by two frames to one which was the highlights of the snooker championships which were worked off at the same venue yesterday. A major upset occured on the fourth day of the competition when the current billiards national champion Susantha Boteju was ousted by Wazeer Hashim who played brilliantly to nail his vis a vis by two frames to one.

Wazeer simply took his experienced opponent by surprise scoring a 44 break in the final frame which eventualy proved to be too much for Boteju. Boteju then gave up the contest with four 'colours' on the table. The winners of both competions will recieve the Omar Haji Sulaiman Challenge Tropthy and cash worth Rs 10,000 each . The finals of the billiards tournament will be held on September 8 (Friday) while the snooker final is sheduled for the folowing day . The tournament will be continued today at 4 p.m.

Lalin Jeerasinghe, Bronze medalist at the 13th Asian Games held in Bangkok will go all out in striking Gold at the 9th Asian Sailing Chamionships in Karachi, Pakistan which commenced on Friday.

Lalin leads a eight member team in the championships which concludes on Thursday September 30th.

W.P.K Janaka the other Bronze medalist at the Asian Games from the Navy will sail in the Laser Class giving him the opportunity to compete in a Olympic class boat.

Lalin' s crew will include the former Thomian schoolboy now at the Asian International School, Devaka Balasuriya who together with L.P.K. Gunatilleka and W.A. Upul from the Navy are sailing in the Enterprise class.

Joining the fray will be Royal's Rehan Dias in the Optimst class who might stay back for the 10th Optimist race in Karachi to be held from October 1 to 7.

Two windsufers from the outstations T.H. Kosala and Upul from Bentota will participate in this championships.

Commodore N. Thudawewatte will accompany the team as Manager.

Rover pinpoints.....

Double standards

The recently concluded motor races at Mihintale, Rover learns, saw two top notchers in the four wheelers change cars much to the amazement of those present there.

It was also noted that a Maruti 800 was allowed to participate in the flying birds event - ,the 1600 CC class. Did not the officials know what the basics of a Formula Ford 1600 is? Was this fair? According to information, the roll over bars were not compulsory which prove that safety standards set by SLAMS were not maintained. Other clubs have made roll over bars compulsory for safety reasons. Another matter noted was that a motor cycle event was held up for half an hour, due to the loss of the keys of this bike. Couldn't the race organisers do without him ?

What a waste

Rover learns that a second banquet has been arranged for October at the Taj Samudra Hotel by the Interim Board on the request of a senior member. The whole episode is bound to cost a tidy sum. A previous banquet held at the same Hotel turned out to be a costly affair. For whose purpose is this held anyway?

Wrongly spelling

The word invitees was spelt as invities at the enclosure of the venue where the first cricket Test was played between Sri Lanka and Australia at the Asgiriya Stadium. What a come down for English!

No is the answer?

Rover learns that a payment of Rs. 50,000/-has been turned down by the Interim Board. This request has been made by the organisers for cricket in Galle, for entertaainment purposes, without any receipts. Meanwhile the request for Rs. 1.4 million has been okayed by the Board for the construction of spectator stands for the Second Test now in progess in Galle.

Canvassing for position?

A bleary eyed sportsman was present at the funeral of the parent of a VIP, as he had broken restfor two days. Reason for this hardship, Rover learns, is that he was seeking the VIP's okay for the overall captaincy of the SAF Games contingent.

Auditors report out ?

A leading audit firm has stated that they have examined the Balance Sheet of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka as on 31 December 1998 and the related statements of Income and Expenditure and cash flow for the period then ended. They have found:

(a) Opening balances have been taken from previous year's audited financial statements. However these financial statements have not been approved by the members of the Board.

(b) They have not received direct confirmation from the debtors confirming balances as per their records as at the balance sheet date.

(c) Total receipts of Rs. 2,901,920,65 and payments of Rs. 7,050, 010,65 appearing as credits and debits respectively in the bank statements have not been recorded in the cash book and therefore not reflected in the financial statements. Of the above, the receipts of Rs. 2,762,036,41 and payments of Rs. 6,922,688,80 relates to the period prior to 31st March 1998.

The auditors opinion, except for the matters referred to in the above paragraphs (a) to (c), the above balance sheet and the relayed statement of income and expenditure are in accordance with the books maintained by the Board.

Where is the secretary?

Why is that all correspondences of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation is signed by other office-bearers when there is a Secretary elected unanimously by the general council at the annual general meeting held in March this year?

Signing of letters

For the past four months all letters sent out from the SLBF is signed by the Vice President or the Treasurer on behalf of the Secretary. Why is that the Hony. Asst. Secretary Cdr. H. U. Silva. Psc is not being allowed to sign letters? The Asst. Secretary too was elected unanimously at the A. G. M. held in March this year?

Saba

South Asian Basketball Association was officially formed in 1991 during the South Asian Federation Games held in Colombo. The secretary elect was former Sri Lankan Army and university player Maj. Gen. (Dr.) C. Thurairajah with the then president of the Pakistan Basketball Federation as its President. Then the President and Secretary was elected from India under the Presidentship of Mr. Shah. All efforts made up to date has failed to conduct a tournament for members of SABA - Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Maldives. Even now the efforts made by Mr. Shah to conduct a tournament has failed due to the conflict between India and Pakistan.

While this is the correct position how is that the vice president of SLBF sent letters to Mercantile Organizations and Banks requesting for money in preparation for the SABA tournament? It is reliably understood that the money received in lakhs from ardent basektball supporters and promoters has been used for a pleasure trip to Malaysia by a few boys, the head coach. Did the Exco approve the team and the manager? Who was the FIBA referee who accompanied the team?

Why is that two office-bearers are misleading the public with wrong information and misusing public funds? What action will the Hon'ble Minister of Sports take against these officials?

Resignations

Up to first week of September '99 the letter head of the SLBF had the names and addresses of all the office-bearers. But from last week the letter heads are without the names and addresses of the

office-bearers. Why this change ? Has the top order resigned in disgust because of the actions of a vice president and the Treasurer?Is this promotion or ruination of basketball in Sri Lanka, asks former players and officials who are keen supporters of basketball? Why is the Minister of Sports turning a blind eye for the actions of these two officials?

Sour grapes

The former Up Country and national coach of a popular sport is a bitter man today. During his tenure in the hills he was able to command almost 500,000,00 a year. His successor, however, who was a legend during his playing days, has stepped into his shoes with ease and has ,in a very short period, proved to be the most successful coach in the history of the club. This he has done by devoting his time and energy, for the love of the game and not for any financial gain. Our disgruntled namesake has turned mercenary and is spreading tales ofdiscontent. A typical case of sour grapes!

Rover scores

Saliya Ahangama has been removed from the cricket commentary panel forthe on going cricket series with Australia. Rover learns, since the contract was signed, no replacements will be allowed, since he has been paid for all three Tests. The names of RanjithFernando and Ranil Abeynaike are the likely replacements for the next series, Rover learns.

Johnnie Walker still going strong

Orient Lanka Ltd., will combine with United Distilleries UK once again this year to sponsor their special lavish event at the Ridgeways of the Royal Colombo Golf Club.

The competition will envelope 3 categories and the winners of each handicap category will take an air ride to play in the International Event in Delhi from the 11th-14th as guests of Johnnie Walker.

The organizers are expecting at least 200 to participate on Sunday October 3, 1999.

Prizes

Johnnie Walker Trophies, baskets of goodies, leather golf bags are all on offer as prizes and knowing the lavishness of the sponsors there is promise that the awards will be highclass. The Award Ceremony is normally a posh event and this year the grapevine tells us its going to be more memorable.

Participants and their spouses will meet at the Golden Ballroom of the Lanka Oberoi soon after sunset.

The Awards Ceremony will take off at 7.30 p.m. followed by a Banquet Dinner and a lively session of dancing.

The rush for registration are on already - the attraction is the lavish hospitality of the sponsors.

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