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Rain disappoints Galle cricket
fans Rain completed its destruction of Singer Akai 'Nidahas' Trophy second leg matches when India vs. New Zealand game was cancelled last morning at Galle International Cricket Stadium. There was bright sunshine on the entire previous day while weather kept fine throughout the night as well but a shower early last morning ensured that play was not possible for the rest of the day. This means that entire second leg of the tournament scheduled at Galle cancelled giving two points to all three teams. Fans who bought tickets will not be refunded but the Cricket Board will receive an insurance claim as all matches had been secured against any disruption. Teams will now move back to Colombo for the final round of the League matches to be played at SSC Stadium beginning tomorrow with a game between Sri Lanka and India. PRESIDENT'S TROPHY RUGBY TOURNEY S. Thomas' Mount Lavinia will scrum down with Wesley in the President's Trophy qualifying round rugby match on July 8 (Wednesday) at Sugathadasa Stadium. Thomians who became the ninth team to qualify from the "Milo" league to the prestigious President's Trophy tournament will have a cliff hanger tussle before getting into the knockout stage. The other team which is fortunate to be in the first eight will be Vidyartha. Vidyartha ousted their home team-mates St. Sylvester's on a higher average. The knockout matches will be played in two groups. The top group consists of Thurstan, Kingswood, Trinity and Isipatana. The bottom group consists of Royal, Zahira, Vidyartha and winners of S. Thomas'/Wesley. The knockout matches will commence on July 8 and the semi-finals will be staged on July 20 (Monday) while the final on July 25 (Saturday). All the President's Trophy matches will be played at Sugathadasa Stadium. • The draw: • Top half
• Bottom half:
Injustice meted out to children of
International schools - SB Children attending international schools have a right to compete in national events, observed the Minister of Sports S. B. Dissanayake. The Minister who was the chief guest at the Coca-Cola Olympic Day Run programme here last Saturday noted that it was unfair and unjust to block these children from competing in at local events. As soon as international schools were set up they were granted permission to compete in all sporting events. But on Education Ministry directive barred them from competing in event conducted by the Ministry of Education. The argument forwarded was that these schools were not registered with the Education Ministry. This directive kept these children out of sporting activities conducted by the ministry. The sports minister said that this concept has to change even at this stage. "I have even gone to the extent of writing to the President to let her know the true picture of this situation" he said. He said that in sports there should be no differences and that was why he was fighting to bring equality to sports. "The age old theory of registration of these bodies can be ironed out easily", he said. The minister sighted that there are many talented children in these schools, specially in Tennis and Swimming. "When these children compete with local children, naturally the standard would raise", he said. He also said that bringing these children into competition could pave the way for more sponsors as well. When asked if there were any restrictions bearing international school children competing in national events he answered in the negative. "If they are really good they can even represent the country. I can assure them that there will be nothing holding them back from representing Sri Lanka in any sport if they have talent", he promised. When suggested as to why the sports minister do not propose an inter-international school sports festival he hailed the idea and said that it was up to the schools to organise it in a big scheme. The minister also stood firm on the selections of the national Athletic Selection Committee, He said that though there were criticism that some of these veteran athletes are hardly seen witnessing athletic events. He assured that this stand would change in the future. "This Selection Committee comprises of highly respected yesteryear national athletes and I am sure that they will deliver the goods. VB Board efficient When asked what he would do for two vacancies created in the Volleyball Interim Board with the resignation of members Sunil Jayaweera and Sunil Premasiri, he said vacancies would remain. "The Volleyball Interim Board has taken great pains and have done more work than any other previous regime within a very short period promoting the national sport". The minister said even two or three members of the present board would be sufficient to raise the standard of the game. "They are so dedicated and honest" he added. When suggested that the stadium authorities must attend to their technical shortcomings before attempting setting up a Rifle Shooting Range the minister called up the stadium director and asked him about the shortcoming. The director admitted that the electronic clock at the Indoor Stadium and swimming pool timing devices were not in order. He sighted certain barriers created problem for this delay. The minister then instructed one of his directors to liaise with Mr. Silva to put things in order. Buttala a White Elephant Minister Dissanayake also disclosed that he had decided to take away the Buttala Gam Udawa Ground Management from the Sugathadasa Stadium Management. I see it as a white elephant and decided to give it over to the Pradeshiya Sabawa", he said. He pointed out that the Mahaweli Stadiums at Galnewa, Girandurukotte and other places too face similar problems only very few athletes make use of these while big money is spent for it maintaining", he said. The Minister said that land close to Sigiriya has been ear-marked to put up an International Cricket Stadium cricket when played in outstations attract more spectators", he added. The Sport Minister once again stressed that the Netball team would win next year netball world cup, in New Zealand. "I am confident that the team would be placed among the top four at the Commonwealth Games in September in Malaysia", he said. But an this issue Netball President Tamara Herath has a different view. She says that her aim is to be among the top 10 at the Commonwealth Game and be the top six in the World Cup in New Zealand. Minister pinned his hopes on Athletics, Netball, Rifle Shooting to be major forces in future international events. Rs. 50 million for Hockey A sum of Rs. 50 million had been allocated by the Sports Ministry to set up two Astro Turfs for hockey soon. Minister Dissanayake said that one would be set up at Matale replacing the Present Edward Park Grass track. "Matale is the cradle of Hockey and it badly in need of a Astro Turf", he said. The minister plans to replace the present track at Reid Avenue and lay a fresh turf this year. This track was a donation from the Korean Government and its guarantee period has long lapsed", he said. Asked what would be done with the present Astro Turf he said he had not arrived at a decision. "I do not know if it could be re laid for practice purposes. If any request is made I will certainly consider it", he said. The Minister said that he was not happy with the present Mondo track at the Sugathadasa Stadium. "I have not received proper advise. We should have brought down a total track", he said. New Athletic Pool selected Three new Sri Lanka records were established while 12 athletes including Olympic poolist Mahesh Perera were recalled to the national pool after the conclusion of the two day Athletic Selection trials at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. Two Olympic poolists Damayanthi Dharsha and Sugath Tillakaratne accounted for two new Sri Lanka records both the 400 metre event. However the surprise of the day came from 22 year old Southerner Nelan Siriwardane when he stamped a new tripple jump record clearing 16.10 metres on his second attempt. K. G. Amarasinghe of Army (15.52m) and Milan Fernando of Schools AAA (15.02m) was third. The cricketer turned athlete from St. Servatius Matara, Nelan's first jump was disallowed which put tremendous pressure on him. But he stood against all odds to stamp the record. "I was confident of this record which is my first Sri Lanka record", he said. Coached by Y. K. Kularatne he is employed at Ports Authority under the Olympic Committee athletic employment scheme. He is the first Sri Lankan to go over the 16 metre barrier (former record 15.92 R. N. Ratnayake 1992) and his achievement betters the SAF record (16.03m). Damayanthi Dharsha running in Sri Lanka after nearly six months shattered Jayamini Illeperuma's 400 metre record of 53.70 metres established at the 1991 SAF Games by running home in 52.78 seconds. In the finals she clocked 53.11 seconds while Nimmi Soyza (55.12 sec) and Jayamini Illeperuma (55.53 sec) was placed second and third respectively. Sugath Tilakaratne running in 45.92 seconds bettered his own record of 46.2 seconds. V. Ratnakumara (47.35 sec) and Ranga Wimalawansa (47.94 sec) was placed second and third respectively. It was very disappointing to note the absence of one newly appointed woman national selector, by the Sports Minister. Sprinter Tamara Saman was axed from the national pool along with marathon runners K. W. Laus and Sarath Gamage. Among the new comers were hurdler Mahesh Perera, Jayamini Jayasundara, Swarnamali Mendis, Galappathi, Pradeep, Tilak, Ramanayake, Sunil, Nimmi and Ratnayake respectively. Following is the new Athletic Pool Sujeeva Nilmini (5000m, 1500m), Nayanthi Kumari and Pradeepa Herath (200m), H. R. Ratnayake and J. M. A. K. Jayasundara (400m Hurdles), P. K. Aluwihare (Javelin), Jayamini Illeperuma and Swarnamali Edirisinghe (800m women), Mahesh Perera (110m Hurdles), Sriyani Kulawansa (100m), Shantha Mendis (Steeple Chase), R. Nayanananda (Race Walking), Lalith Galappathi (1500m), Damayanthi Dharsha (400m), Sugath Tillakaratne, V. Ratnakumara, Ranga Wimalawansa, Suminda Wimalawansa and Rohan P. Kumara (400m), Nilan Siriwardane (Triple Jump), Chinthaka Soyza (100m), R. M. C. Ramanayake (200m), Sunil Jayaweera (1500m), S. Nimmi Soyza (200m), Ruwan P. Kumara (Pole Vault). |
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