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Sri
Lanka 222 Mahanama
controversy The Ministry of Sports is to submit a report to President Chandrika Kumaratunga regarding the omission on cricketer Roshan Mahanama from the Sri Lanka squad to tour England. This is a sequel to the President calling for a report on the Ministry as to Mahanama's omission. The ministry after consulting the Cricket Board's selection committee is expected to hand over the report today to the President. The omission of Mahanama a right hand batsman and a brilliant fielder sparked off a public out cry which led to much debate as to why he was discarded. The selectors and captain maintained that Mahanama could not be drafted into the squad since he had not shown the required form. However Mahanama's sympathisers took up the stand that he should have been in at least for the one day squad for his outstanding qualities besides being a middle order batsman who had pulled Sri Lanka out of many a crises at that level. Will Zahira make it to final All eyes will be on Zahira when they confront Wesley in the second semi-final fixture of the President's Trophy Schools Knock-out Tournament, which will be worked off today at the Sugathadasa Stadium. It would be hard to make an outright statement as to pick a favourite out of the two schools. But given this year's track record of the Maradana school, it undoubtedly leaves them with an edge over their opponents. Led by that intelligent utility player in Riyas Haniz, the Zahirians have recorded wins over Prince of Wales 30-5, St. Joseph's 18-7, St. Peter's 12-0, Mahanama 23-15 and all importantly edged out today's opponents Wesley 15-13 in their league fixtures played almost a month ago. The only setback they suffered this year was the defeat in the hands of Thurstan who scraped through 8-5. The pick among the Zahirians are Jehan Rahim (Prop), M. Racip (Flanker), Naim Ali (number eight), T. M. S. Saldin (fly half), T. M. Sabreen (centre) and the skipper himself who marvelled the ones present at the quarter-finals with a style of play which always caught the opponents on the wrong foot. The Zahirians overcame Vidyartha 27-17 in the quarter-finals to book their place in the final four. As for Wesley they created history by making it for the first time to the semi-finals in a knock-out tournament, with their last notable performance being in the previous year when they bowed out in the quarter-finals. However the lads from Campbell Park had an easy passage to the semi-finals when their opponents, Trinity, gifted them a walk-over by failing to turn up for the scheduled quarter-final fixture. Their key to success seem to lie in the mobile set of forwards who are both big and fast in the lose. Regular prop forward Lahiru Botheju may be a doubtful starter today and if so his place will be filled by fresher George Steve. 'Big boy' Rahim Samsudeen strengthens the side by making a welcome return after recovering from a neck injury. But there seem to be doubts cast over the fitness of centre Razeel Dooray who is not yet full recovered from a leg injury. Winger M. S. Johary will take up position as one of the centre in case Dooray opts to pull out of today's fixture. The team registered victories over Prince of Wales 36-0, St. Peter's 5-0, St. Joseph's 18-0, Mahanama 24-12, Ananda 19-13, Kingswood 27-24 and lost to Thurstan and Zahira 15-13. The Teams: WESLEY — Raj Kumar, M. Thahir, George Steve or L. Botheju, D. Pullukkuttiarachchi, R. Samsudeen, D. Fernando, N. Wijesundara, A. Gamanpilla (Capt.), J. Orloff, S. Halimdeen, Johar, R. Dooray or M. S. Johary, M. Aleem, S. Saleem, S. Buckman. ZAHIRA — J. Rahim, T. Saburdeen, R. Matheem, M. Sajid, T. Draman, H. Racip, M. Miskin, N. Ali, T. S. Cuncheer, M. R. Saldin, M. Fazmy, R. Haniz (Capt.), T. S. Sabreen, H. Hameed, A. R. M. Rinaz or N. Wadood. Referee — Nizam Jamaldeen. 12th Asian Senior Track & Field
Championship The Asian Amateur Athletic Federation which held its 12th Congress in Fukuoka, Japan failed to arrive at a decision regards the holding of the 13th Asian Senior Athletic Championships. They had to face this situation when it was discussing the requests made by Sri Lanka and Indonesia to hold the Championships. At this stage Malaysia too forward its willingness to hold the event making it a three cornered affair for the venue. The Congress was chaired by its Senior Vice President Sheik Kaleed Bien Hanni Al (Qatar) in the absence of Asian Amateur Athletic Federation’s President Bob Hassan (Indonesia). It was stated at this conference that all three countries which have made requests to hold the 13th Asian Senior Championships in 2000 are faced with economic and security problems. Due to these circumstances it decided that the decision had to be arrived with the fullest co-operation gained from the President of the AAAF. It was also mentioned that the President of the AAAF Bob Hassan (Indonesia) has found missing after the recent political and economic crisis in his country. Delegates from SAARC countries supported the candidature of Sri Lanka pointing out the financial crisis faced by the other two countries Malaysia and Indonesia. At this stage delegates from Far East countries airing their views said Sri Lanka cannot be considered as they change their officials every year. Some even pointed out that members who can be seen this year fail to appear at next meeting. With this sort of change how can they be entrusted with long term programmes they questioned. It was also stated that SAARC Region countries are given step-motherly treatment by the AAAF. This matter came to light when India requested the support to hold the 2001 World Senior Athletic Championship in India. Sri Lanka AAA President Ariya Kannangara, Scretary Rohan Amerasinghe and Executive Committee member AAAF from Sri Lanka Ranjith Weerasena attended the Congress meeting. The 12th Asian Junior Championships commenced on Saturday after a colourful opening ceremony. This Junior Championships has attracted participants from 44 countries amounting to over 700 athletes. India has fielded the biggest contingent amounting to 32 athletes. Board XI S. Africa 'A' Rain ruined the second day’s play of the three day game between Board President XI and South Africa ‘A’ at SSC grounds yesterday. This was the third consecutive day the rains deprived South Africans from their warm up game. Sri Lanka ‘A’ team Manager Brendon Kuruppu told the ‘Island’ we hope to play at least today as it will be of importance for both teams before their four day Test scheduled to be played from July 22 to 25 at Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy. Sri Lanka ‘A’ team for the first unofficial test is expected to be announced last night by the selectors. Meanwhile South Africa ‘A’ team coach Graham Ford said, we were highly disappointed as we failed to play the three day game. We were hoping to adjust ourselves to conditions here. He said team for the first unofficial test will be made on the morning of the test. He further added that he hopes to have more spinners than pacemen. But said everything depends on the condition of the wicket. Sri Lanka ‘A’ team will play three unofficial tests, three one dayers and another three day game at Moratuwa. |
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