Ansaria good rugby prospect

By S.Sivendran

I was present at the annual rugby encounter between the Past Thomians and the Present Thomians at Longdon Place on November 13 which the past pupils won by 24 points to 10 points.

The player who impressed me most was Dilshad Ansari who helped the Old Thomians to win this encounter with his attacking rugby as centre three quarter which had the present boys in a dilemma and which resulted in several tries. He was also outstanding with his conversions.

Ansari who played for St. Thomas' College from 1989 to 1991 during which years the Thomians were the uncrowned kings of schools rugby under the crafty coaching of Quintin Israel against whom I had played many an exciting game. Ansari was an outstanding centre three-quarter and an excellent place kicker who contributed more than100 points for his alma mater in 1991 with his dashing tries and perfect conversions which were a record for any schoolboy.

After leaving school Ansari left for the U.S.A. to pursue his higher studies in 1993 and returned in 1998 after doing his Bachelors Degree in Business Management. After his return he played for CR & FC in a few Clifford Cup rugby games this season with distinction.

Now he is working with Amana Investments and entered a team for the Mercantile Rugby Sevens this year and his team came up to the quarter-finals of the Plate Championship to which Ansari was the main contributor.

With the abundance of talent in Dilshad Ansari, he should show up as one of the great prospects for Sri Lankan rugby.

Olympic Torch -The spirit of games

The Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch relay will pass within one hour's drive of eighty-five per cent of the Australian population, travel over 27,000 kilometres and be carried by 10,000 torch-bearers in the longest Torch Relay in Olympic history.

As the Olympic Flame travels around Australia, athletes across the world will be making their way to Sydney.

The Olympic Torch Relay is an opportunity to spread the spirit of the Olympic Games to as many Australians as possible and to link communities across the nation.

The Olympic flame will be carried through over 1,000 towns and suburbs, visiting every State and Territory, between 8 June and 15 September 2000 and there will be 188 community celebrations.

On its journey the Olympic flame will travel on a surf boat at Bondi, on the Indian Pacific train across the Nullabor Plain, on a Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft in the remote outback, on a Sydney Harbour ferry, underwater on the Great Barrier Reef and by camel on Cable Beach at Broome.

The curved design of the 2000 Olympic Torch symbolises the Opera House, the Blue Pacific Ocean and the curve of a boomerang. Twelve thousand of the torches have been manufactured at a cost of $A300 each and each torch bearer will have the opportunity to purchase the torch they carry.

The Olympic Flame will be lit in Greece in early May 2000 and spend 10 days being carried around Greece. From Athens, the Torch will be taken by plane to Guam where it will begin a twenty day journey visiting the twelve Pacific Island countries which make up the Oceania ring of the Olympic Nations.

The Sydney Olympic Torch Relay will arrive in Australia at Connellan Airport at Yulara (Northern Territory) on 8 June and the first person to carry the Torch will be Olympic Gold Medallist Nova Peris-Kneebone.

Percy Madugalle: A remarkable man

By Sharm de Alwis

They told me, Percy Madugalle, they told me that you were dead. Dearly, did I wish to pay homage and last respects to a remarkable man but two urgent assignments prevented my coming to Kandy. This appreciation is written as compensation for the omission.

Scion of an aristrocatic lineage, Percy Madugalle, like his two brothers T.B Dharmasiri, his two sisters, Seedevi Ratwatte and Enid Hulangamuwa lived a life free of pretence. He was modest to the core of his ethos and if the greatness within shone through such humility, he yet had the time and reason to impart his knowledge to any deserving recipient.

Sports was his forte and it can be arguably stated that if the Saravanamuttus were the finest sporting family produced by S. Thomas' and the Gunasekeras by Royal, the Madugalles stand on a pinnacle for Trinity.

Percy's father, S.B Madugalle. captained Trinity rugger in 1912 and '13 and was awarded the rugger Lion in 1915 , the inception year of the Lion.

Brother T.B. ran for the country in athletics. Younger brother Dharmasiri won his rugger colours in 51 and was cruelly denied a deserving Lion in 53 the year of his captaincy for having stood by his moral code against the inclusion of an imported player.

Dharmasiri won his athletic colours in 52, having come second in the 120 hurdles and in the long jump in the Public Schools Meet. He captained Trinity athletics in 52 and half of 51. Code named "Guliya" as he never grassed a catch at gully position, he was awarded cricket colours in 53.

The others in the Madugalle sporting constellation are legion too numerous for mention here.

Percy, himself won his rugger colours in 37, Batting Prize in 38 and the coveted cricket Lion in 38. His erstwhile team-mates over a three year period were Rex Breckenridge, O.L Izadeen, T.B Marambe, G.P Schoorman, Pat Solomons, John Halangoda, Jnr. Hubert Ratwatte, S.G Perera, Duncan Reith, Douglas Aluvihare, R.P de ALwis, E.S de Kretser, C. Dharmalingam of the two hat-tricks in the big match, William Molagoda, V.K Vellayan, J.B Wright, E.E. Aldons and M.K Kananangara and Milton Weerasekera.

Percy was the Trinity rugger and cricket coach in the late 50s and early 60s. Some of the brilliant cricketers he produced were Nimal Maralande, Malsiri Kurulasooriya, Senaka de Chickera, C.T Ratwatte, Jayantissa Ratwatte, Lucky Karunatileke.

R.V Van Rooyen, M.T.M Zaruk, Himendra Ranaweera, Harindra Dunuwille, S.M Perera, Glen Van Langenberg, V.I Kodituwakku, Bob 'Sad' Silva, Eric Roles.

In rugger, he produced Nimal Maralande, Ken de Joodt, Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Eric Roles, Jayantha Jayawardena, Noel Brohier, BDA Piyasena, Mohan Sahayam, MTM Zaruk, Glen Van Langenberg. Ajith Abeyratne, Tony Buultjens, Selva Cangasabai, Sari de Sylva, Tony de Sylva, Gama Fernando, Ken Murray, Malcolm Talwatte, Tyronne Howie and a host of lesser mortals who cannot be mentioned for space constraints.

Many thanks, Percy Madugalle for having given back to Trinity what you received from the school. May your journey through sansara be swift.

Two Referees Malaysia's FIFA experiment

For those of you who believe the game has been tinkered with too much over the past few years, and especially those of you who pine for the days when a goalkeeper could pick up a 40 yard backpass and spend an eternity bouncing the ball around as he wandered aimlessly around his penalty box, this latest idea will not be welcome.

You wouldn't be the only ones. FlFA's experiment, to use two referees to control the game, started in August in the Malaysian Cup and is scheduled to be repeated in the Italian Cup and the domestic leagues in Brazil and the United States, wasn't exactly greeted unconditionally by one of the men responsible for making it work.

"Initially I was a bit sceptical," says George Joseph, the Football Association of Malaysia's Director of Referees. "But the feedback I've been getting from referees seems to be very encouraging. They feel more confident because there is someone else there by the side of him, he has a friend on the field. This is giving them the confidence to make decisions more positively."

One of the most experienced coaches working in Asia was equally dubious when told about the Malaysian Cup trial.

"At first I thought disaster! It won't work, but we English are always reluctant to change," says Ken Shelito who spent 25 years as player, coach and manager of Chelsea and who is currently in charge of Sabah. "Now I think it might work because I think it will cut out what I call the 'off-the-ballboys', the cowards. I think the quality of the game will improve because it encourages skill, the players know they are going to get more protection so the skilful players will come into their own."

One such Malaysian Cup match was the game between Kuala Lumpur and Sabah played in the KLFA Stadium in the capital in October under the watchful eye of General Farouk Bouzo, the Chairman of the AFC and Arab Football Union's Referee's Committees and a member of FlFA's version.

"The main positive point is that there is almost always a referee close to the action," said the General during the game in which virtually every whistle was blown within ten yards of the incident. "In all situations there should be one of them near and as a result there will be fewer mistakes. Free kicks are played quicker than before because one referee can encourage the player to take the free kick as quickly as possible while the other referee can read the situation and move to a place where he has a view of where he expects the ball to go.

"Observing two or three matches I noticed a little bit more whistling than before and the advantage rule is applied a little less often but so far there has been no major problem. The feedback from the coaches has generally been positive. All of them agreed that there were fewer injuries because there is more protection for their skilful players with the referees being nearer to the play. This impression is important because it is also based on the reaction of their players."

Few football people are likely to welcome the experiment until they've seen it in action, but its success so far is based on the fact that, while it sounds like a major change, it is in fact a comparatively simple idea.

"The main aim and objective in having another man is to have another pair of eyes to see offences from different angles," said General Bouzo. "There's no difference between the one referee and two referee systems regarding the rules of the game. The two referees have the same duties and obligations outlined in Law Five except that only one of them should be the time-keeper. There is no senior referee. When a player is cautioned the other referee should record his number as well in case he is the one who issues a second caution to that player."

Interestingly the doubts voiced in advance are very varied, from the thought that we may as well wave goodbye to playing the advantage, to the idea that the shower of red and yellow cards already affecting the game would become a downpour.

"My initial fear was that the two people would be making different decisions," reveals Joseph. "Although this fear has gone because I've noticed that the referees understand their responsibilities especially as we've told them that the nearest person should take control of the situation. There has been one incident where one referee blew for a penalty and the other played the advantage but that is the only one we've had.

"The game is much faster. There are many stoppages because the officials are very close and the players aren't getting away with anything but although there are more whistles the fact is that the game recommences faster. It is excellent at set pieces, free kicks. One can control the defensive wall and the other watch from the goal line. The man who is nearest handles the free kick and the game keeps moving.

"We have compiled some statistics and we have found that there were fewer yellow cards in 17 matches in the preliminary round of the Cup compared to 17 matches in the previous competition. The players are aware that the referees are nearby and are a bit more careful about what they do. The coaches are very happy because the good players are being protected, there is no vicious tackling because it is like there are policemen all around. There's less pulling and holding, and some of the diving and 'simulation' is less now because there is another guy able to get into a better position. The only problem I think after having seen 25 matches is that the positioning doesn't seem to be so good, but I think this is a teething problem and eventually after enough practice they will overcome the problem."

Positioning was undoubtedly the most obvious issue to be resolved as K.M. Karuprah and Rahim Haji Ali handled the Kuala Lumpur v Sabah match. Too often both officials found themselves in the middle third of the field whereas the two referee system must surely be seen as an opportunity for them to position themselves outside the play, near the touchlines and goal-lines. Attacks developing down the left, into the quarter of the field furthest away from the Assistant Referee caused serious problems. The referee closest to the play tended to get caught between the ball and goal blocking potential balls to the feet of the striker or into the inside-left channel. The other referee was frequently caught in the way when play was switched laterally and the attacking side looked to pass to a winger or full back sprinting down the right.

But the speed with which both officials calmed an altercation between two players was another factor in favour of the system.

One of the other issues to address is whether we really need to change and just how perfect we intend the game to be.

"I am still a little bit worried that the human aspect of the game may be lost," says George Joseph. "As a spectator I think a little bit of controversy, a little bit of pushing and shoving does add a bit of spice to the game. If the officials notice everything the newspapers will have nothing to write about and the fans will come and see a very sterile game with everything so disciplined.

"But as a referee and the Director of Referees I don't care as long as the game is under control. That's my main objective."

Teamwork is essential to the system and the referees have to understand each other as much as the players have to be on the same wavelength as their teammates. If they don't, the results could be awful to watch.

"The negative side of having two referees will come if the officials start to compete with each other," General Bouzo pointed out, although it has to be said that a referee with an over-inflated ego is perfectly capable of spoiling a match on his own. "They have to co-operate positively. If their colleague whistles they must agree immediately. There will be problems if they make conflicting decisions."

Ken Shelito agrees that co-operation is essential and goes as far as suggesting that each group of officials should operate with each other permanently.

"All four officials should work together as a team all the time, not just for one match," he says. "That way they'll talk before the match and after the match, learn the lessons and apply them next time. They should go around as a team, think like a team and they'd improve as a team. I'd like them to do it again next year in the league. If we did that we'd be giving more games to more referees and the standard would improve as a result. I'd stick with it."

General Bouzo also thinks that the experiment has been successful but that the system needs more time.

"In my opinion it has worked in the Malaysian Cup and most people concerned are satisfied. It should be tested in Europe and South America, in the Bundesliga, the English Premiership, Serie A, in more difficult matches when the stadiums are full. We need to see how the referees react under more pressure."

The stamp of approval come from the FAM's Director of Referees too because George Joseph would gladly retain the system.

"If it was just my decision I think I would keep it. We haven't had many complaints from managers and the players. They seem to be happy, The referees are happy, I'd keep it."

Patron Saint of West Indies Cricket

By Bernie Wijesekera

Wisden the Cricketers Bible - has apparently picked the five greats of the century - Sir Gary Sobers, Sir Don Bradman, Walter Hammond, Sir Frank Worrell and Ray Lindwall. Fittingly they played a dynamic role and are legends.

Whenever cricket is discussed they focus much attention. There may be others, who may fit into this category, namely George Headley - the Black Bradman (West Indies), Australia's great allrounder Keith Miller, England's master opener Sir Jack Hobbs etc.

But the above five players have the edge over the others, for their exploits on and off the field.

Poetry in motion

Four of them have played in Sri Lanka - (then Ceylon) be it in whistle stop match or otherwise, barring Lindwall. Lindwall was one of the great fast bowlers, who paired with Miller. He was a member of the 1948 Invincible team, led by Sir Don Bradman. Australia may have had many great fast bowlers, but none could match the rhythm of Raymond Russell Lindwall. When on the move it was like poetry in motion.

Bradman in his last Ashes tour in 1948, played here and scored 20 runs - caught Heyn, bowled Robert de Kretser. The Lankan team was led by maestro, M. Sathasivam.

Heading the list is that thoroughbred allrounder Gary Sobers, who has left an indelible mark in the annals of world cricket. He held the highest Test score of 365 n. o., against Pakistan, which was broken by compatriot Brian Lara against England.

Sobers, has had close links with Sri Lankan cricket, since his first stint, whilst playing for the Daily Mirror XI in 1960 against a Lankan XI, led by Mike Tissera. This match was the brainchild of the managing editor of the Times of Ceylon, late Felix Goonewardene. Though it was an exhibition match there were thrills and spills aplenty for the avid fans - played at the P. Sara Stadium.

Tied Test

Some of the Windies players were returning after the historic tied Test against Australia played at the Gabba (Brisbane). The Windies were led by Worrell, while Richie Benaud, led the Aussies. This was the start of the Windies renaissance under Worrell. The Mirror XI included Rohan Kanhai, Wes. Hall, Condrad Hunte, Seymour Nurse, Chester Watson sandwiched with Lankan players H. C. Perera, Priya Perera, Tissa de Soyza, late Yatagama Amaradasa, one of the finest allrounders to be produced by Ananda. Late Amaradasa, could be tagged as a burly W. Indian allrounder. Tissera scored a perky 100. Today Wes. Hall and Hunte (who captained the team) are chaplains - spreading the gospel of Faith.

Sobers - a three in one cricketer was one time coach of the Lankan team. This move was masterminded by the late Gamini Dissanayake, who was the then president of the BCCSL.

Sir Frank Worrell, too has left an indelible mark in the annals of Lankan cricket. He toured Ceylon with the Commonwealth XI led by Les Ames in 1951. Worrell made 281 runs. It was sheer batting artistry at its best. Despite a late social with his friend M. Sathasivam. Worrell caned the Lankan bowlers all over. It was professional cricket at its best.

Worrell - the patron Saint of Windies cricket started its revival after he took over the captaincy. The Caribbeans had individual brilliance - the three Ws - Worrell, Weekes and Walcott, but lacked the togetherness.

It was Worrell, who was able to bring about unity among the team drawn among the islanders sans race, caste or colour. This move helped the Windies to emerge as the top cricketing nation during his era.

Sir Frank, too believed in Faith. His stint in England, playing Lancashire league cricket, was able to understand human problems, whilst moving with people from various walks in life. Worrell, unlike some of the present day cricketers never believed in hunting for perks or for personal glory. He was always obliging and played the game in its purest form on and off the field. Humility was his codeword. This is something that the Windies cricketers learnt under his tutelege. He always fought for justice and fairplay and equality, among the islanders, who were at loggerheads at times on the field.

Frank, knew that three barriers which could separate a human being - religion, politics and ethnicity. This prevailed among the islanders in the Caribbean. A leader par excellence and the one who believes in Faith and instilled on the players the futility of the sensual world. Well, he had another great personality in Condrad Hunte to assist him to achieve its ultimate goal. As a result there were no divisions in the team. The players learnt the fundamentals of live and let live. In 1960 after the Aussie tour and the tied Test at The Gabba, Worrell left an indelible mark in the annals of cricket - especially in the Windies-Aussie series. Worrell is gone over the great beyond, but he is remembered for all time - it's being played for the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy.

In 1960 Worrell's team after that epoch-making tour were taken on a motorcade to the airport, where emotions ran high with the Aussie fans showering them with flowers and cheering them all the way - thanks to Worrell's leadership.

This is something that is lacking among some of the present day sportsmen and politicians worldwide, where justice and fairplay take the back seat at the expense of suffering and loss of human life.

In 1951, Frank was enjoying a drink with maestro M. Sathasivam at the Tamil Union bar. A youngster, came in to fetch his autograph. The duo were having a friendly chat. Satha said 'don't distrub'. But Frank was so obliging, stretched his hand out and gave his autograph to the surprise of his friend. That was Worrell the gentleman 'Gentleman Jim of Cricket'

Like Martin Luther King Jnr., who fought against racialism, whilst Worrell was the cricketing legend, who caused the Windies revival. He may not hold records like some of his compatriots, but will be revered for all time. Form is temporary, but class is permanent. Frank richly deserves a place among the legends of the century.

Among the Australians, Bradman takes the second spot behind the great scientist Foley, who improved on the penicillin serum which served millions of lives - including dumb friends. Don is the oldest among the living cricketing legends. He is humble in every way and has many firsts to his credit, when it came to the willow wielding sport. Sir Don will be remembered for all-time that too for the next generation.

Walter Hammond, one of the greatest batsmen produced by England, too has played in Sri Lanka. According to my friend and guest writer Harold Andrado, who possesses a storehouse of knowledge when it comes to cricket says that Hammond played in Sri Lanka in 1943 and scored 43 runs. Here is a player, who could bat on any pitch and has a great appetite for big scores. There were no covered pitches unlike today. It was uneven bounce and movement and the ball turning appreciably later on. He belongs to the Bradman era. Both matched their skills in abundance. There were others from England - the likes of Len Hutton, Jim Laker, fiery Fred Trueman etc. It was not that records that have come into reckoning, but class and Hammond deserves the nod.

Barring Bradman and Sobers, the other three are not in our midst. As the saying goes. The good die young. Worrell and Lindwall, who passed away at a time when the duo could have done much for the game and for their respective countries, in general.

Youth World Cup squad

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board selectors named their 17 member squad for the Under-19 World Cup to be hosted in Sri Lanka from January 10 to 28.

Sri Lanka will play in Group D alongside Australia, Ireland, Namibia.

The groupings are:

Group A England, West Indies, Zimbabwe and America.

Group B New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, Holland.

Group C South Africa, Pakistan, Kenya, Nepal.

The Sri Lanka Squad

Ian Daniels , Jehan Mubarak, Rashan Peiris, Thilina Kandambi, Malintha Gajanayake (Captain) Mevan Porage, M. Pusphakumara, Kauhsaya Weeraratne, Ranil Dhammika, Akalanka Ganegama, Prabath Nissanka, P.C.L Perera, Umal Irandika, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Chanaka Wijesinghe, Pubudu Ranaweera, Arshad Junaid.

Athula Kumara best Wrestler

Athula Kumara of Udugampola Wrestling Club was picked as the best wrestler in the Gampaha District Wrestling Championships held at the Urban Council Hall at Wattala.

Athula won his contest in the 39/42 kilogram category.

In all 213 grapplers battled it out for supremacy.

Udugampola Wrestling Club won the championships with Young Shadows Wrestling Club, Jaela second and St Anthony's Club Wattala third.

Gampaha District MP Neil Rupasinghe was the chief guest with senior Superintendent of Police, Jagath Keenawinna.

M.F.M Izzamudin, the International Referee supported by other referees officiated.

Three half centuries by S. Faris 59 and T. Amith 57 for Zahira and 57 by D. Ratnayake for Mahanama were the features in their drawn interschool cricket fixture played for the Lemonade Cup at Maradana.

Zahira batting first totalled 222 and secondly were all out for 100 while Mahanama replied with 179 and 117 for 7.

Zahira 222 all out (S. Faris, 59, T Amith 57, M. Bandureen 39, D. Bandara47, P Sathyapala 3 for 76) and 100 all out (M. Dilshad 24, T. Jaleel 18, P Sathyapala 5 for 27, D. Ratnayake 2 for 17).

Mahanama 179 all out. (D. Ratnayake 29, P. Ginasena 20, M. Subair 4 for 37, T. Jaleel 2 for 7) and 117 for 7 (D. Ratnayake 57, M. Zubair 2 for 23, R. Rilwan 3 for 29).

Briefly

Cricket goes Global

The International Cricket Council (ICC) partnered by the United Nations will make cricket - a global game as decided at the United Nation's Delhi Centre.

This was disclosed at a joint media conference attended by the ICC President Jagmohan Dalmia in Delhi who made the announcement that the first tournament will be held from April 2 to 9, 2000.

He also said that the inspiration for a global week dedicated to cricket came through the various commemorative days and weeks identified by the United Nations.

Dalmia also said that the cricket week will be a central part of the ICC development programme with a range of high profile and grass root cricket activities staged and televised all over the world.

Shashi Thbaroo, Director of Communications and Special Projects of the Office of the Secretary General of the United Nations said that cricket is an ideal vehicle to promote the values and principles for which the United Nations stands.

Colombo Undergrads tie at Chess

University of Colombo with 20 points tied with the Universities of UAE, Malaysia and UAI though being placed 11 at the Rakan Muda Grand Asian Chess Championships held at the University of Malaya.

University of Peradeniya with 21.5 points finished in 8th place.

The Mongolian University won the championships with 29.5 points, with the University of Indonesia second with 28 points and University of Philippines third with 27 points.

Battserseg Tuvshintu of Mongolia was chosen the best female chess player followed by Upi Darmayana Tamin of Indonesia, Roslina Marmono and Eliza Ibrahim of Malaysia and Nguyen Thi Thauna Hoa of Vietnam.

Erkembay Yar Duurenba of Mongolia was chosen the best chess player among males followed by Alcondia Romee, Liamo Edwin (Philippines), Sharadorj Dashzeveg (Mongolia), Eko Supriyoko, Liu Dede (Indonesia), Jobannie C. Rabada (Philippines), Saoud Ahmed (UAE), Bernadiono A. Marlon (Philippines) and Ganbold Odondoo (Mongolia).

Kelaniya triumphant

Kelaniya CC beat Lankan CC by 3 wickets in their Division Two Donovan Andree Trophy cricket tournament encounter played at Wattala.

Lankan CC batting first totalled 172, while Kelaniya CC totalled 173 and in their second essay Lankan CC totalled 139 and Kelaniya pulled off their win totalling 140 for 7. An unbeaten 67 by L. Chinthana helped Kelaniya CC.

Lankan CC 172 all out.

B. Dissanayake 37, D. Pannila 27, I. Ruwanpura 4 for 47, R.Dissanayake 3 for 42 and 139 all out. K. Prasantha 37. B. Dissanayake 20. S. Chandrakantha 20, L. Chinthana 3 for 17, I Ruwanpura 3 for 42.

Kelaniya CC 173 all out

S. Vishvaranga 39, D. Praboda 36, P.Sanjeewa 31, S. Nimantha 17, L. Fernando 6 for 64 and 140 for 7 - L.Chinthana 67 not out, P.Sanjeewa 14, D. Praboda11.

Kelaniya beat Ragama

A classic knock of 70 by D. Dissanayake enabled Kelaniya CC to beat Ragama CC by 4 wickets in their Division Three cricket tournament played at Katunayake BOI grounds.

Ragama CC batting first were all out for 177 with Kelaniya CC replying with 180 for 6. Ragama CC -177 all out in 48 overs.

S. Pinto 36, S. Priyantha 21, R. Prasad 20, I. Ruwanpura 2 for 29, R. Thilina 2 for 17, D. Prabodha 3 for 40.

Kelaniya CC 180 for 6: D. Dissanayake 70, T. Anuradha 24, V. Senanayake 32, R. Dissanayake 22, H.A. Sandaruwan 2 for 31, C. Jayawardena 2 for 17.

Three half centuries

Three half centuries by S. Faris 59 and T. Amith 59 for Zahira and 57 by D. Ratnayake for Mahanama were the feature in their drawn interschool cricket fixture played for the Lemonade Cup at Maradana.

Zahira batting first totalled 222 and secondly were all out for 100 while Mahanama replied with 179 and 117 for 7. Zahira - 222 all out. S. Faris, 59, T Amith 57, M. Badurdeen 39, D. Bandara 4 for 47, P. Sathyapala 3 for 76 and 100 all out -

M. Dilshad 24 , T. Jaleel 18, P. Sathyapala 5 for 27, D. Ratnayake 2 for 17.

Mahanama - 179 all out.

D. Ratnayake 29 , P. Jinasena 20 , M. Subair 4 for 37, T. Jaleel 2 for 7 and 117 for 7 - (D.Ratnayake 57, M. Zubair 2 for 23 , R. Rilwan 3 for 29. AF.

Mackinnon Mackenzie champs

Mackinnon Mackenzie & Company (Shipping) Limited won the men's six-a-side trophy defeating Sea Services (Pvt) Limited in the CASA championships played at the NCC grounds, Mainland Place.

Ceylon Shipping Lines won the ladies' championship with Contship Agencies (Pvt) Limited as runners-up.

A total of 63 teams participated in this championships.

Kapila Manawadu of Mackinon Mackenzie won the men's best bowlers' prize with K.D Sunil Shantha of Sea Services the best batsman, Denusha Karandeniya of Ceylon Shipping Lines won the best batswoman's trophy and Shalika Wickremasinghe of Ceylon Ocean Lines the best bowler's award.

Denusha Karandeniya also won the player of the finals award for women, while Roshan Gafoor of Mackinnon Mackenzie winning the award for the player of the finals.

Pradeep Karandeniya of Maritime Agencies won the player of the tournament award.

The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Admiral Mohan Samarasekera and his wife were the chief guests and gave away the awards.

The Chairman CASA, P. Amarasekera also gave away a few awards.

Kushani follows her sister in squash

By Nilika de Silva

Visakhian Kushani Daluwatta has never looked back since that day she decided to play squash and follow in the footsteps of her sister.

An elder sibling whose performing remarkably well is a very common reason to take to a sport, and obviously a very good one. Many are the champions who have emerged through this.

"My sister was a Sri Lanka player and I came into squash mainly because of her," explains Kushani.

"In 1993, my sister went to Singapore representing Sri Lanka, and at that moment I decided to go as well.

I was very small then, and my family used to tease me about it, but I was determined," she said. And so, a champion entered a sport.

Kushani has been the champion in every single age group she played. "I was the Junior National Champion from Under 16 to Under 19, continuously," she said.

Her titles 1991 - Under 11 champion, 1992 - Under 13, 1993 - Under 13, 1994 - Under 15, 1995 - Under 15, 1996 - Under 17, 1997 - Under 17 and 19, 1998 - Under 19, 1999 - Under 19.

Her latest achievement is one she has been awaiting, she emerged Champion in the SSC Under 19 and the Open Event.

This is the first time Kushani won the Open Event.

Having played last month in the Four Nations Asian Junior Tournament Kushani emerged the Under 19 runner-up. Since this was a ranking tournament, Kushani says, "I should obtain an Asian ranking."

Kushani who just turned 19, has already represented Sri Lanka thrice, and captained the team at two events.

She played in 1995 at the Asian Team Championships, in Hong Kong. While in 1997 Kushani captained the Sri Lanka Under 19 Girls team to India, and in January 1999 she captained the team to Malaysia. At this tournament she came up to semi-finals in the Plate Event.

For several years Kushani has been winning the Otter's Tournament, Signature Cologne, Stork Protech, Bentota, Intercon Tournaments, Taj, Trans Asia, Sugathadasa Tournament, the various events on the Squash calendar.

Responding to the question, do you have competition? She says, "Under 19, no Open of course there is," and adds, "This was my first Open Title, the SSC Open."

Having won junior national titles in doubles and been in the national pool for a tour, Kushani who was a badminton player before she entered squash, continued to faithfully participate in Inter School and Inter House Badminton matches.

"I continued with badminton in school and captained all the teams in school, Under 12, 15, 17 and 19."

And this year at the All Island Inter School Squash Tournament, Kushani captained the team and lead her school, Visakha Vidyalaya to victory. She also won the Individual Under 19 championship as well.

An allrounder Kushani found time for Swimming, Tennis and Oriental dancing at school and was in the Oriental Band. She was also a Prefect and House Captain.

Kushani attributes her success to her parents who have both been very encouraging in their different ways. "My father, he's happy for me, but he doesn't follow me to every tournament.

But my mother comes behind me for all the tournaments.

Every time I went abroad she came with me. The whole Asian Federation knows her now," Kushani giggled.

"My father was a tennis player, and he was nationally ranked in badminton.

He has won several titles in tennis as well," she added.

She said she was also grateful to her friends, who are national players in both badminton and squash.

"They're very supportive when it comes to tournaments, like when I represent Sri Lanka, I go off for about two weeks.

And when I cut school they save me from the teachers (I hope the teachers won't see this). And they write all my notes," she added.

And what is Kushani's next goal? "I want to win the Nationals next month," she says starry-eyed, then adds, "and I want to represent Sri Lanka and be the captain of the Open Team."

Kumar resigns

Kumar Abeywardena, the president of the Ruhunu Rugby Union has resigned from the Sri Lanka Rugby Union Council.

Abeywardena, who is doing much for the development of Rugby in Ruhuna with his own men and material has not given any reasons for his resignation.

Today quite a number of schools in Galle have taken to the sport, thanks to his personal interest. A diehard supporter of the game, he even went to the extent of getting the services of B. K. Ramachandran to be in charge of the coaching of the schoolboys in the district.

The schools in the district have already impressed in the junior tournaments organised by the schools rugby association. (B.W.)

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