Old Wesleyites to honour three past presidents

Friday the 3rd of December 1999, will not be just another day in the life of the 'Old Wesleyites Sports Club' (OWSC). For to be more specific, the evening of that day is bound to be special, and one among other significant milestones in the life of the OWSC where members of the Club, well wishers and friends, with a sense of belonging and pride, will gather to felicitate three outstanding (club revival) past presidents in Prof; Mahroof Ismail, Denzil Perera and Lucky Gunetilleke.

The deep commitment of these past presidents and the measure of their giving in the wider sense, could only be appreciated. - When one begins to realise, that the club which was dormant and eventually defunct for eleven years (1978-1989), was virtually resuscitated in 1989, mainly through the unflagging zeal and fervour of these three presidents. Mahroof, Denzil and Lucky each of them during their respective presidency's along with their accredited committees, spanning a decade (1989-1998), strove successfully in those crucial formative revival years to give the club, tone and direction, a distinctive character of its own and more importantly the much needed financial stability. The club, which is now well established with the base and foundation so laid for sustained progress, is fortunate to have as its current president, the highly enthusiastic and versatile Capt: Navin de Silva to steer it through into the next millennium.

It's against this background and in recognition of the pioneering service rendered by Prof: Mahroof Ismail, Denzil Perera and Lucky Gunetilleke, endearingly referred to as the revival presidents -That the club in oneness of spirit amidst much fellowship will unveil their respective portraits. Truly a fitting gesture of "Honour to whom honour is due, Thanks to whom thanks is due." Mahroof who was the first of the club revival presidents (1989-1993) was an accomplished all round student and the senior head prefect at Wesley.

He had a penchant for winning prizes and carried away many of them at the college annual prize giving, inclusive of the prestigious 'Hil Medal' on two successive occasions in 1948 & 1949. As a keen sportsman, he captained the college at hockey and badminton and went on to lead the Ceylon university in both sports. His contribution to hockey was recognised, when he was at one time made the president of the state services hockey association and vice president of the Ceylon hockey association.

The early promise of eminence at college, was seen when he progressed to be the Director of the Medical Research Institute and later to be the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Colombo.

Denzil who took over from Mahroof in 1994 was president till 1995. It was during his tenure, that the club developed from the railway carriage stage to have a sophisticated sports complex and a modern club house. As a meticulous student and sportsman he displayed leadership qualities and organising ability at a very early age. He captained the college hockey team and represented Ceylon and travelled abroad as a member of the mercantile hockey team. Denzil is the proprietor of 'Qualipacks' (Pvt) Ltd and had done much in the raising of funds, especially by organising the popular annual dance, not forgetting his touching gesture of the assistance given in the cause of the billiard room.

Lucky who succeeded Denzil in 1996, was the third of the revival presidents and served up to the end of 1998. Being lanky and lithesome, he had the natural aptitude for being a classy left arm pace bowler. He had an outstanding career at Wesley, as a student and a rare bowler, who won many an award with a hat-trick or two to his credit. He made the right kind of impression, to be among the wickets at the NCC and was picked to represent Ceylon. The beauty of a ball with which he bowled the English Captain, Ted Dexter is still spoken of. His administrative ability as a planter and former Director of Whittal Boustead and Gordon Frazer, was in evidence during his three year period as president. He will, amongst others, be remembered for getting down school teams from the north and east to participate in the schools'- 6-a-side cricket tournament and, for providing crutches and artificial limbs to wounded soldiers. Lucky at present is the Director of Link Engineering.

The 'Old Wesleyites Sports Club' came into being in 1941, mainly out of a growing passion for hockey, which existed within the old Wesleyites of that era. A common bond amongst players and enthusiasts had been established throught this sport. And it became necessary on leaving college, to further strengthen this and give continuity to it, which resulted in the OWSC being born. History records that in the early fifties, members of the OWSC played a prominent role in the promotion and furtherance of hockey in the country. Hockey teams of the OWSC participated in the Pioneer Shield, Andriesz Shield and Bacon Cup tournaments, with a measure of success, being champions on more than one occasion. The club in those years, was preoccupied with hockey, it failed to broaden out to other areas, and was greatly disadvantaged by the lack of a meeting place, a club house. Naturally then the club had a chequered existence, with more downs than ups and long spells of inactivity, to be finally defunct from 1978 to 1989. Heartening it is to observe, that in the last ten years, the club under the three revival presidents, has recorded unprecedented growth of a sustaining nature, which augurs well for the future. This was made possible by the high powered, ambitious projects which brought in the necessary funds for the club to forge ahead, and as well support the college in its endeavours.

Chief among which, was the pioneering ventures such as the schools' six-a-side cricket tournament under the chairmanship of Eric Gauder, and the schools 7-a-side hockey tournament managed by Rohan Amerasinghe. The former is being sponsored by the Ceylon Cold Stores Ltd., whilst the latter is sponsored by Janashakthi.

The chief guest at the evening's function on December 3rd, will be the illustrious old boy of Wesley Rienzie Wijetilleke, the managing Director of Hatton National Bank and currently president of the Interim Cricket Board.

Rienzie has been very supportive of both the college and club in many ways, and will do the honours of unveiling the portraits of the three revival presidents, and a panel depicting the names of past presidents of the club. The guests of honour will be two distinguished old boys, Richard Ebell and L.C.R. Wijesinghe.

Venues get spruced for World Cup

While the national team and the 'A' team match their skills against their counterparts in Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively, the Under 19 players are vying amongst temselves to be part of the fourteen squad to represent the country in the Youth World Cup which is to be held in January next year.

D.S. de Silva and Carlton Bernadus are putting the boys through their paces. Although the build-up is not for International games the amount of work required to be put to stage the event is just as much.

A special office is set up at the Cricket Board where the phones ring constantly and the staff have hardly any time to relax.

The tournament will be played at fourteen venues. The more prominent grounds and the International Venues are pretty much ready for the games. For the other grounds and those personnel involved it will be an exciting challenge.

When it comes to playing cricket at representative level what players remember most are the pitch, outfield and the dressing. If what they find in those three areas are good, then the memories of that venue will be pleasant and permanent. So, these are the areas that have been looked at and are now been spruced up.

The top layer at three of the venues, Moratuwa, Matara and Radella, have been relaid. This means that something between one-and-a-half to three inches have been removed and refilled with fresh top soil.

It is quite an important renovation. It would then give the pitch a new lease of life to last upto three or four years. The fresh grass which is planted, when established, will be strong and healthy ready to stand upto the stress of being mowed short and rolled for hours in end with a roller weighing about two tons in weight.

Most of the other grounds were top dressed - that is the pitches - to bring about some freshness to the tracks. Top dressing involves putting on a layer of top soil measuring between quarter to half inch. Then, over a period of about four weeks the grass comes through and after some rolling and the pitches are ready for play.

There is one venue that cricketers and cricket followers in this country have not heard of that is to be used - Kadirana. The ground is located a few miles east of Negombo town on a vast expanse of land.

The turf pitches have just been constructed. It is always wise to play a few practice games on a newly laid turf and that will be the case here too.

The worry though is the outfield. A reasonable amount of filling was required. The entire project has got delayed because of the rains over the past six weeks. Drainage is not the best out there. That makes matters still worse. Its a batle against time. Sometimes, nature can be cruel.

Of the outfields on cricket in Sri Lanka the SSC could be classed as of International standard. The Premadasa Stadium, P. Sara Stadium and the Galle Stadium follow. What is required on a Cricket outfield is a fine leaf grass. Varieties of Couch and Kentucky blue grass are the ideal. However, broad leafed Buffalo grass and variety of weeds dominate the playing fields of this Country.

It requires money and effort to keep outfields in good condition. Rolling regularly and mowing with a cylinder type mower are the other requirments.

Dressing rooms have to be very spacions at major venues as players carry big kit bags and plenty of equipment too. Plenty of air circulation and comfortable seating is also required. TV's, Fridges, Massage tables are also seen within. All this and adequate shower and toilet facilities make up the players occupation area. They seek peace and privacy within the changing rooms.

The main pavilions are also getting a new coat of paint and a few repairs. Preparations are underway for this big event. The playing conditions will be good. They must be continuously maintained for the betterment of cricket in the Country.

Rani Abeynaike

Mercantile shuttle C'ships on Nov. 26

The mercantile Inter Firm team badminton championships sponsored by Dulux for men and women will be held at the St. Joseph's College Indoor Stadium at Darley Road from Friday, November 26 to Tuesday, November 30.

In the men's section, the championships will be conducted in the A.B.C.D.E. and F divisions while the women's section will be conducted in the A.B.C. and C divisions.

The firms participating are:

Mens

A Division - AirLanka Catering A, SriLankan Airlines A, Bartleet, Ceylon Cold Stores A & Seylan Bank A.

B Division - Hong Kong Bank A, SrLankan Airlines B, Ceylon Cold Stores B, Commercial Bank and Seylan Bank B.

C Division- Nisol Corrugated, Colombo Stock Exchange, Singer, Ceylinco Sports Club A, Air Lanka Catering B, Reckit & Colmans, Forbes & Walkers, SriLankan Airlines C, Acculate, Ceylon Cold Stores C, Eagle Insurance Ltd A, East West.

D Division - Seylan Bank C, Airport & Aviation, Maritime A, Ceylonco Sports Club B, Astron, Lanka Wallties, David Peiris Motor Com. B, CTC Eagle Insurance B, Mobitel, Ceylon Cold Stores , D.Bata, UTE.

E Division- Maritime B, Ceylon Tobacco, AirLanka Catering C, Data Management Systems, SriLankan Airlines D,Lanka Bell A, IFS, David Peiris Motor Com A, Ceylon Cold Stores E, Metropolitan A, Union Assurance, Technology.

F Division- Lanka Bell B, David Peiris Motor Com C., BMI Holdings, Metropolitan B.

Womens is:

A Division- Seylan Bank A, Hong Kong Bank, SriLankan Airlines A, David Peiris Motor Com A, Mashreq Bank.

B Division - Lanka Walltiles, Lake House, Ceylon Cold Stores A, Sri- Lankan Airlines B. C Divison - Data Management Systems, Seylan Bank B, UTE., Eagle Insurance Ltd. Technology Providers, Ceylon Cold Stores B, Bata, IFS.

D Divisoin - Sri Lankan Airlines C, Lanka Bell, David Peiris Motor Com B, East West, Ceylon Cold Stores C.

Record entries for AAA technical exam

The Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) of Sri Lanka has received nearly 1000 applications for the Technical Officials Examination to be held on Saturday, November 27, which is an all- time record.

Candidates will sit for the Examination in one of the five centres commencing at 9 a.m.

Admission cards along with the time-table have been posted to candidates.

All candidates are requested to report with their admission cards to the venues.

The venues will be Vidyartha College (Kandy), Ruhunu Campus, Meddawatta (Matara), Swarnapali BMV (Anuradhapura), Vembadi Girls' School (Jaffna) and in Colombo.

The chief supervisors who will conduct the Examination are J.C. Kariyawasam (Colombo), A.T. Nugegoda (Kandy), C.W. Pitagala (Matara), Captain Tilan Perera (Anuradhapura), Major P.S.S.R. Udayadeera (Jaffna).

Any inquiry regarding the Examination should be directed to Rohan Amarasinghe, Chairman, Officials Committee on 827094 or AAA Headquarters on 682329.

Cambrians stun Nalanda at sixes

By Saif Izzadeen

Defending champions Nalanda made a dramatic exit from the seventh Old Wesleyites inter school six -a-side cricket tournament at Campbell Park yesterday.

In one of the biggest upsets at the first day of the competition, Nalanda were beaten by Prince of Wales Moratuwa by 30 runs. Nalanda were restricted to 55 for 3 after the Cambrians made 78 for 3 after batting first.

Ananda, Dharmapala, Prince of Wales and Lumbini entered the quarterfinals while the other four quarterfinalists will be picked after the following prequarter final matches today between. S.Thomas' and St. Joseph's, St. Peter's vs De Mazenod, Maris Stella vs St. Thomas' Kotte and Royal vs Thurstan.

The highest team total was registered by Ananda when they made 91 without loss in their allotted five overs against Wesley. Skipper Thilina Kandambi made 28 while M.Pushpakumara made 47.

M.Wickremasinghe of Lumbini who made an unbeaten 49 against Sri Rahula became the highest individual scorer.

Ball by ball commentaries will be broadcast on the SLBC sports service today from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and on the English commercial service from 1.30pm to 5.30 p.m. The commentaries in Sinhala will be given by Kamal Deshapriya while Rohan de S Wijeratne will give in English.

Match results

Dharmapala - 47 for 2 (D. Rathnatillake 27) beat Sri Priyaratne-43 (H.Baddage 19) by three wickets; Maris Stella-56 for 1(M. Fernando 16 n.o, I.Muthalif 25 n.o) beat St.Anthony's Wattala - 55 for 4 (Ruwan Amila 25) by four wickets; Prince of Wales - 85 for 1 (R.Peiris 37, T.Ranaweera 12, L.Fernando 10) beat Nalanda - 55 for 3 (Mevan Porage 34) by 30 runs; Prince of Wales - 78 for 3 (L. Fernando 26) beat Kingswood -51 for 3 by 27 runs; St. Joseph's 54 (S. Rupasinghe 15, I. Daniels 10) beat Sri Jayewardenapura 43 for 4 (I. Nisath 20 n.o) by 11 runs; Dharmapala 53 for 2 (D. Ratnatillake 21 n.o, S. Thushara 10) beat Kalutara MV - 43 (K.Ranasinghe 20) by 10 runs; Ananda - 62 for 0. M.Pushapkumara 43 n.o, T. Kandambi 17 n.o) beat Joseph Vaz - 61 for 4 by five wickets; Lumbini - 77 for 1 (M. Priyantha 13, M.Wickremasinghe 49 n.o) beat Sri Rahula -42 by 33 runs; Royal 43 for 0 (M. Thotuwilage 14 n.o, J. Mubarak 28 n.o) beat St. Sebastian's - 42 - M. Fernando 10 n.o, S.de Silva 18) by five wickets; Ananda - 91 for 0 (T. Kandambi 28 n.o, M. Pushpakumara 47 n.o) beat Wesley - 61 for 2(A. Jaldeen 10, C. Sumathipala 15) by 30 runs; Lumbini -58 for 2(M. Priyantha 12, M.Wickremasinghe 16, R.Dammika 16 n.o) beat St.Benedict's - 57 for 4 (R.Munasinghe 11, M.Ajmeer 16) by three wickets. St. Peter's received a walk over from S. Thomas' Bandarawela

Rover pinpoints…

Too cold?

Rover learns that Susanthika Jayasinghe who went to Australia to resume training after a short holiday last month, has returned home, saying that it is too cold to train there. This was disclosed by Susanthika to a Sri Lankan on the same flight from Australia to Katunayake.

Inquiry into dope charges?

The IAAF has written to the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) of Sri Lanka to hold an inquiry against hurdler Jaysundera for taking drugs at the SAF Games in Nepal and inform them of the findings as early as possible. Rover learns that this letter was received on Tuesday. How come this hurdler is made a Sports Officer under these circumstances and coached by an officer attached to the Sports Ministry as well.

The question posed by many is the quickness of the doctors and certain officials who even went abroad to attend to the drug charge against Susanthika Jayasinghe. Why the lethargy now?

Basketball nationals 1999?

Rover learns that the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation has conducted the draw for the senior and junior nationals 99 last month to be held in January 2000, without even calling for entries. No entry forms, tournament rules, entry fees and registration of players, collected or sent out to the affiliated Associations.

Rover learns that neither President nor Secretary were present at the draw. Why and where were they? Have they resigned if not why was the letter not tabled and accepted at the Exco?

Is it because the one and only office bearer of the SLBF had to go to USA to renew his green card? Even the sponsors, 'Lifebuoys', are not aware about the draw.

Ministry inquiry

Rover reliably understands that an inquiry into the poor performance of our national team against the club teams in the recent tournament held in Malaysia is to be held.

Will the Ministry take action on the findings or will it be swept under the carpet, because two Ministry officials are holding office in the SLBF.

Rover learns that the two officials of the Ministry of Sports have demanded that they be nominated from the SLBF to be represented at the NOC to enable them to contest in next year's NOC election.

Told off?

The three R's paid a surprise visit to meet a leading VVIP, though one was not invited and placed their stance regarding certain remarks carried in the newspapers. The VVIP flatly denied making same and gave her version. Another said that a TV station was carrying false stories against him. He was promised an inquiry after which they made a hasty retreat?

Stormy meeting?

A leading sports body, where medals are won, conducted its Council meeting, with insults being hurled at the top notches. One went to the extent of saying that he was a witness to a now prominent figure competing when he was overage for a leading school. The head was a very worried man at the way the meeting ended. What promotion with infighting he had remarked.

Rover scores again

The disclosure last week at the way sponsorship money is being utilised, has prompted this sports body to appoint an official with much knowledge of the game to co-ordinate and keep a tag on the affairs of this particular association.

Coach insulted?

A cricket coach from a suburban club was abused in front of his players and the opposing team by a senior player from his team for his ommission. Rover learns, that even blows were exchanged.

The reason for this, Rover learns is that he had dropped three senior players and played three juniors who had only attended two days of practice.

Cake walk for seeded players

All seeded players won through to the third round for both men and women's singles at the 47th National Badminton Championships sponsored by Commercial Bank worked off at S. Thomas' Indoor Stadium Courts at Mt. Lavinia yesterday.

Men's singles second round: S. Sumanasuriya beat N.L. Abeyratne 15-2, 15-7; C. Gunaratne beat S.Ajwarde 17-15, 15-1; M.W. Dinesh beat Y. Gunasekera 9-15, 15-9, 15-9; H.M. Kumarasiri beat D. Nilange 15-12, 11-15, 15-10; I. Priyantha beat C. Sembapperuma 11-15, 17-16, 15-7; U. Wanasinghe beat A.Rasantha 15-8, 15-13; Niroshan Wijekoon beat N.D. Weerakoon 15-6, 15-12.

Women's singles second round: Chandrika de Silva beat C. Ranasingha 11-2, 11-2; N. Erandika beat P. Lasanthi 8-11, 11-7, 11-2; P. Disantha beat W. Perera 11-10, 11-10; N. Gayanthi beat S. Udeshika 11-2, 11-1; K. Geeganage beat C. Perera 11-0, 11-2; M. Jayasuriya beat S. Nandasiri 11-2, 8-11, 8-11; D. De Silva beat Athukorale 11-0, 11-0.

Third round: P. Disanthi beat S. Ariyadasa 15-0, 15-1.

The Nationals will be continued today with several exciting matches in both the mens and womens sections scheduled to be played comencing at 9.00 am.

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