The Island sports

Hosts come out in coloured attire for first time
World champs meet England in test of strength

Ranjan Paranavithana reporting from England
Although it is now nearly two decades since television tycoon Kerry Packer introduced coloured flannelled pyjama one-day cricket, England will see a departure from its traditional white dress when for the first time in its cricketing history the side will don coloured clothes and play with a white ball against Sri Lanka on Sunday in the second of the Emirates Trophy matches at Lords.

Incidentally, the first ever such match to be staged in England was Friday’s opening match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at Trent Bridge which the world champions won by 57 runs. This contest which was seen by experts here as a test of strength between the world champions and the unofficial world champs prior to next year’s world cup, however saw the reigning champs outplay their opponents in every department of the game.

A very disheartening feature ,however, was the response shown by the English media.

BBC made no reference at all to Sri Lanka while dwelling solely on only the outcome between England and South Africa.

Friday’s game, which saw pace bowler Pramodya Wickramasinghe celebrate his birthday with a ‘Man of the Match’ winning 3-wicket haul, was a fitting reply by the Sri Lankan who was under criticism over his selection. Also, the opening batting duo of Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluvitharana who performed in the same role in the last World Cup, once again produced the type of pinch hitting they did during the country’s cup triumph 2 years ago. Friday, that dimension contributed largely to Sri Lanka’s victory.

Whatmore on Sanath
Interestingly, former Sri Lankan coach of the 1995-’96 period, Dave Whatmore who is the current coach of Lancashire, was quoted in the British press as saying that Sanath Jayasuriya was no slogger, but a gifted batsman. This is what Whatmore said prior to the curtain raiser, "I don’t like the phrase pinch hitter. But Sanath really took that style of batting at the start of the innings to a new level. Its not slogging or brute force, he has the ability to attack on both sides of the wicket, is one of the cleanest hitters I’ve seen and his opening partner Romesh is similar".

Commenting on England’s step motherly treatment towards Sri Lanka in giving only a one-off test, Whatmore said, "It’s a shame .But I’m sure cricket boards all round the world will soon realise how good they are and give them proper series". Whatmore had made these observations to the ‘The Express’ newspaper.

Meanwhile, England coach David Lloyd, who travelled to Trent Bridge to spot the Sri Lankans weaknesses, had this to say, "Sri Lanka are a crack side no doubt about it. I came here to see how they play in our conditions. We are still mixing and matching a bit with the players. This is another opportunity for them and these two opponents will be a terrific yardstick."

Significantly, England have dispensed with their one-day formation which was started last year with Adam Hollioake in the captaincy with Alec Stewart being also entrusted this task as well this year while also recalling Mike Atherton and Graham Hick.

In the Sri Lankan camp there was a cloud of doubt as to the fitness of captain Arjuna Ranatunga following a twisted ankle in the opening match while batsman Hashan Tillekeratne was expected to replace Mahela Jayewardene from the side that played against South Africa.

The teams-

Sri Lanka (from): S. Jayasuriya, R. Kaluvitharana, M. Atapattu, P. A. de Silva, A. Ranatunga (Capt.), H. Tillekeratne, C.Hathurusinghe, K. Dharmasena, P. Wickramasinghe, S. Perera, M. Muralitharan, M. Jayawardena.

England (from): A. Stewart (Capt.), M. Atherton, A. Brown, R. Croft, M. Ealham, A. Fraser, D. Gough, G. Hick, A. Hollioake, N. Hussain, P. Martin, A. Mullally.

The last time the two countries met was during the quarter finals of the World Cup at which Sanath Jayasuriya’s blistering 82 off 44 balls is still talked of.

All tickets have been sold out for today’s match.

Irrespective of friendships, players should respect coach - Roy Dias

In an interview with our London correspondent SUJEEVA NIVUNHELLA, Sri Lanka National Cricket Coach Roy Dias has said that irrespective of former friendships, all the players should respect him as the coach. He also said that he is not worried with the way Sanath Jayasuriya is playing at the moment and is happy that players are adapting to the English conditions well. He has said although he was given the coaching contract up to the next World Cup he doesn’t think that far ahead but rather concentrate on one tour at a time. Excerpts of the interview

Q. Roy, what responsibilities lie with you as the national cricket coach?

A. Yes, There are responsibilities as a coach. No doubt about it. When the team does well then the coach gets all the credit. But when we lose irrespective of the performance of the individual players, it is the coach that gets the blame. But i feel that the important role as a coach is to get the team together and so far that has happened and that is very good for the morale of the team.

Q. We can see some dropping of fielding standards compared to the recent past. You being the new coach, what steps have you taken to improve that aspect?

A. In fact we have consumed more in the fielding part because we feel that we did drop about 10 to 15 percent. But there we are training a lot on our fielding aspect.

Q. Few years ago you were playing together in the national team with Arjuna and Aravinda. Now you are the national coach. Does this affect your friendship?

A. I think that all cricketers must be friends. No doubt about it. And as you said I played with Arjuna and Aravinda. But that doesn’t change. They have to respect me as a coach. They are giving me 100% support and I feel it is easy for me being a Sri Lankan. Because I know them. I have played with them. Not only with Arjuna and Aravinda, I played with Hashan and most of the guys. I know them. It is easy for me. If you get a foreigner, first of all they will have to get to know the person. So in that respect I am quite happy that I know these cricketers and I can treat them as professional cricketers.

Q. Do you think our players have the ability to beat the powerful Test teams in Test matches?

A. I think yes. I think we have a good Test side as well. We are all thinking of one day cricket. When you come to the Test Series, a good example is that we lost the first Test in New Zealand and came back and won the next two Test matches. So I won’t say we don’t have a Test side. We have to concentrate more in Test cricket and the boys know it. They are the world champions and nothing more to prove. After being the world champions now they want to be on the top in the Test arena.

Q. Now you know that without Vaas and Murali we are nothing. So what steps have you taken to find a genuine fast bowler or two to add to the side?

A. I won’t say its only Murali and Vaas but all 11 players who play the game. As you said as regards bowling Vaas and Murali have been the top wicket takers and that was very important. We have brought about 4 young bowlers. The reason we brought the young chaps to play in England is to give them the opportunity to get used to the conditions here and gain experience with a view to the future. Specially the world cup. So far I think they have come along OK.

Q. How are our players adapting to the conditions and pitches in England?

A. In the first two games, the weather conditions were very bad. The boys are not used to the cold weather. But when the sun came out I think that’s when we did well. With every game we are improving and that’s nice to see. The improvement of each cricketer and as regards batting most of the guys had good knocks. The bowlers have done their bit and we are giving more chances to the young bowlers and resting the experienced ones for them to improve playing in conditions like this.

Q. How long is your coaching.

A. I’ve been given this job upto the World Cup. But I wouldn’t think as far as the World Cup. My first tour was New Zealand. Then the Independence Cup, now the England tour after that. I will think of the next tour before I think of the World Cup. Because you have to go one step at a time. No point thinking of the World Cup or trying to plan for the World Cup. We have a few more tours before that. So I concentrate on one tour at a time and see the improvement which I definitely enjoy.

Q. Do you think you can coach them well to become a good Test nation very soon?

A. Any coach’s plan is to improve the side to be a winning side. God willing if that happens I will be very happy.

Q. People say Sanath Jayasuriya is not playing well these days. Is it a worry for you?

A. I don’t think it's a worry for me. Sanath is one of the recognised world class players. So it is that every one expects him to get hundreds each time. But for me looking at Sanath batting I am very happy with his performances. He is adjusting himself to English conditions which is very good. Definetely he is one of our main players.

Jaarsveld (121) dashes Lanka 'A' hopes

By Jatila Karawita
South Africa ‘A’, propelled by a sparkling unbeaten knock of 121 by opener Martin Van Jaarsveld, recorded a convincing 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the second unofficial one-day match at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa yesterday to already clinch the 3-match series.

The 238 by Sri Lanka, a challenging one-day total as it was, however did not unruffle the South Africans who steadily progressed with Jaarsveld dominating the Lankan bowlers from the very outset.He struck 14 fours and two towering sixes in his entertaining knock. He received good support from one drop batsman Derek Crookes who followed his unbeaten 99 in the previous game with another fine 60. The two were associated in a 97-run second wicket stand. Crookes knock comprised of 10 fours and in an equal number of balls before holing out to Malintha Warnapura off Pradeep Hewage. His dismissal was followed by another good 51-run alliance between Jaarsveld and Claude Ackerman for the third wicket .

Skipper Benkenstein with an unbeaten 18, gave the finishing touches to what turned out to be a very professional display of batsmanship by the visitors to which the local bowlers had no answer.

Of the Lankan bowlers, only paceman Indika Gallage and schoolboy allrounder, Peterite Malintha Warnapura made some impact while

off spinner Ruwan Kalpage, suddenly called up to do duty from a long lay off, was put to the sword along with the rest.

Earlier, the hosts, who won the toss and batted first were boosted by three good scores of 46,36 and 30 by Avishka Gunawardena, Indika de Saram and Lanka de Silva respectively. Goonawardena’s top score included four fours while de Saram and de Silva too were enterprising. It was late order batsman Ruchira Palliyaguru who propped up the flagging innings with a breezy 29-ball 36 which included two well struck sixes and two fours. He was associated in a 70-run partnership with Lanka de Silva for the sixth wicket which was the best in the Lankan innings.

Off spinner, Derek Crookes snapped up 4 wickets for 50 runs in 9.4 overs while receiving good support from Williams and Dawson who shared two wickets apiece.

REFLECTIONS
Sri Lanka to provide top cricketing fare!

By Srian Obeyesekere
Sri Lankan cricket, in the next few days, faces one of its most arduous challenges in its history. To build up its cricketing image on English soil from where we have not received due recognition in terms of itineraries since gaining Test status in 1981. That Sri Lanka last played at Test level only a one-off test match way back in 1988 at Lords. Since then, no fixtures were forthcoming from England, reflects the poor attitude of the English administration towards the game here.

In this light, the ongoing Emirates Triangular, also starring the formidable South Africans which will be followed by the one-off Test match against England would be the ideal ground for Sri Lanka to come on top and strengthen its demand for ‘more’ from the English, the old establishment of the game.

Since being granted Test status in 1981, Sri Lanka has made steady progress at that level, earning her first series win (1-nil) over India on home soil in a 3-test series. Going through the paces of coming to grips with test cricket, Sri Lanka’s first overseas series triumph was realised 13 years later against New Zealand by a 1-0 margin in a 3-test series while following up quickly on the heels of that euphoria later that same year with a 2-1 series triumph against Pakistan which ranked among the top three nations at the time.

Our one-day game, which was always blessed with an inherent talent came from the very cradle of school cricket with the game not extending more than two days up to the highest domestic club level. Winning the highest stakes in one-day cricket, the World Cup 15 years since entering the International Cricket Council (ICC) fold, best demonstrated that natural gift of the game Sri Lankan cricket has inherited at that level.

Sri Lanka will be matching England at Test level away again at the Oval 10 years since that last meeting under Duleep Mendis’ leadership when our batsmen went on a leather hunt posting a 400-plus total which is now history of that drawn match which was during the halycon days of Ian Botham in the England fold. In the current impasse where Sri Lanka has to impress to barter for more itineraries, the upcoming Oval contest will be the ideal forum for Arjuna Ranatunga and his charges to get the better of Alec Stewart’s side which found its winning vein at last at the expense of the strong South Africans.

On the other hand, the one-day triangular also carries much significance for the Sri Lankans as reigning World Champions. More so in considering South Africa’s claims to be the unofficial world champions and that they would have beaten us had they met us at the World Cup. England on the other hand, has reached an ascendancy in the one-day game after a long struggle to come to terms with the fast moving pace it has brought with it. Thus, bringing home the Emirates Trophy would be another leaf for Ranatunga with the world champs already one-up having defeated South Africa in the opener. Besides, Sri Lanka has to prove a point in insulating superiority over the South Africans having being badly whitewashed early this year both in the test and one-day series by Hansie Cronje’s charges in South Africa.

The credibility of poacher turned gamekeeper

By Mahinda Wijesinghe
Sri Lanka was playing a one-off Test at Lord's in 1988. Winning the toss and sending Sri Lanka in to bat, England Skipper David Gower was desperately trying to end his country's barren run of 18 consecutive Tests. The tourists stumbled to 5/61 on a seaming wicket when Duleep Mendis, Sri Lanka's most experienced batsman and former captain, playing his 24th and last Test walked in. All Sri Lankan hopes were pinned on him. Instead, we were treated to some ‘flamboyant’ batting by Mendis before perishing, predictably, for 21 runs. Only, intelligent and technically sound batting by No. 11. batsman, Graham Labrooy (42) and the reliable Ravi Ratnayake (59*) with a then record stand of 64 for the last wicket salvaged some pride for Sri Lanka. Eventually, Sri Lanka lost by 7 wickets. Here's how the Wisden Almanach (1989) described Mendis's dismissal:

"The first hour of the afternoon went better for Sri Lanka until Mendis, playing with increasing flamboyance, was caught in a well-baited trap at deep third man."

One cannot be lavish with praise, especially after witnessing the manner of his dismissal. Filing my report to the ‘Island’ from Lord's, I too was not complimentary of Mendis's performance. After all, didn't a No. 11, batting with his head down, in only his third Test match, score twice as many runs as an experienced batsman who had played eight times that number of Tests?

On my return to Sri Lanka, my editor informed me that Mendis had verbally complained about my comments. So, ten years ago, Mendis cried ‘foul’ and ran to Mamma. At least today, judging from his tirade launched against me last Sunday, he has the gumption to write. Problem, is he has exposed himself rather than what he set out to achieve. To begin with, the English grammar seems his own, and to compound it all, uses Latin which would make Virgil turn in his grave!

Mendis first refers to me as "disgruntled element" (the language is his). Of course, I am one of the tens of thousands of those who have been disgruntled by the actions of a committee he heads. So much so, that radio, TV and the independent newspapers raved and ranted — chiefly, on the axing of Mahanama — about it. Finally, the "disgruntled elements" made such a hue and cry. H. E. The President wanted a report on the issue! An unprecedented event. However, the Government-controlled newspaper was deafeningly silent. Perhaps, Mendis's appointments as Chairman of Selectors being made by the Minister of Sports had something to do with it?

Regarding my claim for fame, as suggested by Mendis, by being the first to moot the "idea of a Third Umpire and or neutral umpire". Let me enlighten Mendis that there aren't neutral umpires. All umpires are, by definition, neutral. Third umpire and the international umpire are different concepts adopted as a matter of practice after Mendis retired. Perhaps this confusion of some umpires being neutral may have arisen in Mendis's mind because when Sri Lanka recorded two Test wins under his captaincy, the umpiring (by local umpires) came under so much of fire that one opposing skipper swore that Sri Lanka will never win a Test outside our shores and the other nearly aborted the tour and called our umpires ‘cheats’!!

Mendis states that I played cricket in the 50s and the 60’s and was not even a Sri Lanka poolist. Mendis is perhaps not aware that I played competitively until the 80s. More importantly, the game is technically the same. The only difference is the attitude of the current players. We played for the sheer enjoyment and the satisfaction derived from playing cricket and forged friendships with team-mates and the opposition. We spent our own money to play the game we loved. None of those who played in the 50s and the 60s would have even harboured the thoughts of trying to earn a few more pieces of silver by playing cricket in the apartheid plagued South Africa. Judging from various reports, there appears to be strong evidence that Mendis almost went there. Remember, those who went there were first given a sentence of a ban for 25 years. So, now when the same man is talking of the "wisdom of the Board", and hold important office in the administration, doesn't it smack of a poacher turned game-keeper? In any event, as a player Mendis was paid, and as a Manager is also entitled for his wages. Of course, with the completion of the recent tour to South Africa, when player conduct was questioned in the press, Manager Mendis has gone"on leave"!!

That I was not even a Sri Lankan poolist is quite true. During our times, the Selectors were not political appointees. They selected teams on merit and were independent, fearless men, so I was not picked! It was as simple as that. The selectors of that era would never dream, for instance, of picking a player who had scraped together a measly 11 wickets — at a prohibitive cost — in his last 6 Tests and not a single in the last One-day tournament. Horses for courses? Which course? Nor would they have tolerated a skipper who mentions the fact that he (the skipper) will decide when to relinquish office. In other words, the selectors of that time — not that they were without fault — enjoyed independence and were not mere rubber stamps.

In my column I wrote that Mendis "who did not boast of the best of techniquesÉ" does not mean that he had no technique as he seems to have understood, judging by his statements of self-praise of scoring twin hundreds on a "raging turner" and nearly getting twin hundreds "at the Mecca of Cricket Lord's on a seaming track" (Mendis quoted verbatim)!! Ignoring the language, the credibility of these statements is questionable. On what Mendis describes as a "raging turner", India scored 566/6 declared and Sri Lanka scored 346 & 394. Roy Dias scored 60 & 97, Anura Ranasinghe 77, and even leg-spinner, D. S. de Silva 49 & 46 not out. More importantly, the Wisden Almanack (1984) reported as follows:

"On a true pitch batsmen dominated the matchÉ" Of the 30 wickets that fell to bowlers, 18 were captured by fast bowlers! So much for a "raging turner".

Regarding his batting at Lord's, the Mecca of Cricket — that is how it is normally described Mr. Mendis — on a "seaming track", here's the Wisden Almanack (1985):

"Gower's decision to bowl first made in anticipation of the ball swinging on a hazy morning then proved to be the wrong decisionÉ" So much for the "seaming wicket".

On this track, Wettimuny, Amal Silva and Allan Lamb also made centuries, while Chris Broad and Ranatunga missed theirs by 14 and 16 runs respectively. On this so-called seaming track, 1155 runs were scored for the loss of only 24 wickets and Sri Lanka declared both their innings closed for the loss of 7 wickets.

Reverting to Mendis's technique, here's how he was profiled in the prestigious "Indian Cricket (1983)" when he was picked as one of the Five Cricketers of the Year:

"Mendis could be orthodox but he preferred unorthodoxy and took so many liberties that bowlers often despaired."

Not for a moment do I decry Mendis's batsmanship. He was an entertaining batsman. But he was not a batsman of the mould of a technically conscious Tissera, Tennekoon, Ronnie Reid or a Vernon Prins. Coincidentally, all of them were Thomians through and through, and throughout!! Res IPSA Loquitur, Mr. Mendis. (Not Resipsa Laoquitur as you wrote.)

Regarding Mendis's assertion that there is "nothing wrong" in sending Mahanama to the Australian Academy, and on his dumping, here's what some leading cricketing personalities have to say:

"Mahanama was unable to consolidate his position in the team because he batted at various positions which could have made him insecure." Commenting on the need to send him to Australia: "All this is nonsense. Mahanama is too good a player and should be able to overcome this setback." Dr. H. I. K. Fernando.

"It was a surprise that a player who has set a world record an year ago has been left out from the 18-man squad to EnglandÉ He is one of the world's best fielders. Some of the catches he has taken are some of the best I have ever seen." C. I. Gunasekera.

"Mahanama is an excellent team man and a brilliant fielder. He is worth his weight in goldÉ if only Mahanama was given a permanent place in the batting order, he could have done well. But those who are responsible for shuffling his place in the batting order should now speak up." S. Skanda Kumar.

These are independent views of eminent cricketing personalities and I am proud to say that I penned similar thoughts. Whilst not claiming to know everything, I would like to mention to Mendis that one need not have played the game to write about it. The greatest of cricket writers such as Cardus, Ray Robinson and Arlott had not played a day of first-class cricket while Swanton, who is currently the doyen of writers, played just 3 games for Middlesex in 1937 & 1938!! At least I played the game at first division level for over a decade in the 60s and the 70s. One's views may not be always right but the important thing is not to be personal and express independent views: not a pawn. I shall always keep striving to achieve that goal.

TU ERRANS NE ALIOS CULPA. If you must know Mr. Mendis, this Latin sentence refers to proper conduct for those who live in glass houses.

40 New concrete practice wickets for Colombo Region

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka under their 1998 National Development Plan has decided to set up 5 Regional Boards in Sri Lanka. Under the Infrastructure Development Plan of the National Development Committee headed by the President of the BCCSL, Thilanga Sumathipala it was decided to put up 120 concrete practice wickets all over the country through the 5 regional boards. Allocation given to the Colombo Regional Board will be 40 number of wickets.

There will be a lot of encouragement for cricket playing schools and clubs in the Colombo Region when these 40 wickets complete with the iron structure and PVC coated wire mesh. These wickets will be mainly constructed in under privileged districts such as Ratnapura, Puttalam, Chilaw, Matugama, Horana, Kalutara, Gampaha, Negombo and also in the Colombo suburbs catering for those who are in lack of infrastructure facilities.

Cost of each wicket will be around Rs. 65,000/- and the Colombo Regional Board has already commenced work on these practice wickets in Gampaha and Ratnapura Districts. The venues of the proposed wickets are as follows:

Kadolkele Grounds, Negombo, twin wicket, St. Anthony's College, Wattala, twin wickets, Gurukula MV, twin wicket, Sri Pannananda National School, twin wicket, Kahandawa Kanishta Vidyalaya, single wicket, Christ King College, Ragama, single wicket, Basilica College, Ragama, single wicket, Galahitiyawa MV, Ganemulla, single wicket, Karunaratna Buddhist MV, Mahabage, single wicket, Bandaranayake, MMV, Veyangoda, single wicket, Udugampola National School, Udugampola, single wicket, Kuruwita SC, Kuruvita, single wicket, Balangoda MMV, single wicket, Karavita Central College, Ratnapura, single wicket, Gankanda MMV, Ratnapura, single wicket, Eheliyagoda Esplanade, Ratnapura, single wicket, Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, single wicket, Janadhipathi Vidyalaya, Maharagama, single wicket, Veluvana College, Colombo 9, single wicket, Vivekananda MMV, Colombo 13, single wicket, Sri Subuthi MMV, Baththaramulla, single wicket, Mahabodhi College, Colombo 10, single wicket, Moratuwa MMV, Moratuwa, single wicket, Wijerama MMV, Nugegoda, single wicket, Siddartha MV, Thalapathpitiya, single wicket, Thakshila Central College, Horana, single wicket, Siri Piyarathana, Padukka, single wicket, Bandaragama Esplanade, Bandaragama, single wicket, St. Andrews College, Puttalam, single wicket, St. Mary's College, Chilaw, single wicket, Malay SC, Colombo 2, twin wicket, Baduraliya SC, Baduraliya, twin wicket, Kalutara Esplanade, Kalutara, twin wicket.

According to the Secretary of the Colombo Regional Board, Anura Weerasinghe, this project will be completed before September 30, '98.

According to Weerasinghe these practice wickets have been donated with the understanding of various schools and clubs in the districts. These wickets should be made available to other clubs and schools whenever they need to have their practices. And they should obtain permission from the respective District Cricket Association. The Executive Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka has approved this provision of the practice wickets after considering the proposal made by the President BCCSL who is also Chairman National Development Committee (NDC) and this is the first time in the BCCSL's history such a big number of concrete wickets are to be constructed in the country within six months.

Apart from this project, after considering a request made by the Gampaha District Cricket Association, the Regional Board has already made arrangements to reconstruct the centre turf wicket at St. Anthony's College, Wattala. It will be very soon made available to the surrounding clubs and cricket playing schools for their matches.

Weerasinghe has announced that phase II of the Infrastructure Development Programme of the Colombo Regional Board will be Gravel Centre Pitches, Score Boards and Sight Screens. Twenty five new score boards and 20 sight screens will be donated to underprivileged districts very soon. Once this infrastructure development is completed, schools and clubs will be benefited to improve there talents mainly in the outstations.

He thanked the officials of the District Cricket Associations with the Colombo Region for the valuable Assistance and encouragement given to the regional board to make this project a great success.

New Basketball Federation formed

by Althaf Nawaz
A new Basketball Federation was formed under the name of Amateur Basketball Federation (ABF) with the involvement of the past stalwarts of the country. The formation of this federation was held on August 3 at NCC pavilion with their inaugural Annual General Meeting.

The main motive behind the formation of this Federation is to develop the game from the grass root to National level.

Seven District Associations — Colombo, Gampaha, Trinco, Defence (Army, Navy, Air Force), Badulla and Veterans Associations have shown their willingness and had joined hands with ABF to begin a new era in the basketball history.

The ABF has appointed former Benedictine and Sri Lankan player Malsiri Perera as its President and Colonel Vikum Siriwardena another National Player produced from Royal College, Colombo as its secretary.

At a media launch held last week ABF officials explained their reasons which led them to form a separate federation.

One of the main concerns were the development of the game in the country and our placing at international arena. At present Sri Lankans are slated third behind India and Pakistan while before Bangladesh which is fourth at South East Asian level. The new Federation also brought to the notice that no tournament has been conducted in the country with the involvement of any foreign teams. It was way back in 1971 a Pakistan team visited last to play on local soil.

The ABF taking these into consideration had written to the Sports Ministry who had failed to hold an inquiry with the participation of both parties.

But the ABF office bearers lamented that they are neither worried about the Basketball Federation nor the Ministry but will continue with their development projects and show the country who is serving neatly and who is in the correct path.

Meanwhile, as a initial event ABF will conduct a tournament among the district Association which will begin early next month. They will have their own sponsors and give the maximum publicity to their sponsors in return.

• The Office Bearers:

President - Malsiri Perera, Secretary - Col. Vikum Siriwardena, Vice Presidents - Francis de Almeida, Rev. Bro. Phillip, Wing. Com. Gamini Silva, Asst. Secretary - Major Rienzie Wijetillake, Squadran Leader Harsha Fernando, Treasurer - Tony Gamlath.