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C'wealth Games opening draws world stars at
parade The inaugural ceremony of the 16th Commonwealth Games drawing together 1,243 athletes and officials from 54 countries gets under way today at the National sports complex here in Kuala Lumpur today at 3 p.m. Sri Lanka time. A total number of 373 gold medals, 373 silvers and 429 bronzes will be up for grabs. The plush ceremony will be graced by the President, Organising Committee of the Games, General Iran Sri Hashim Mohamed Ali, Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamed and Prince Edward of England, among others. Prince Edward is representing the Queen and will read out the Queen 's pecial message. Of the participating countries, England is fielding 59 male athletes, and 54 females, Australia is next with 111 (58 + 53), Malaysia 111 (58 - 53) and New Zealand 111 (62 + 49). Of the SAARC countries, India fields the highest number of athletes 63 (34 +29), second Sri Lanka 44 (21 + 23) Pakistan 19 (17 + 2) and Maldives 7. A notable feature of the Games this time is the participation of countries that have not won a single medal so far which has given the Sri Lankan contingent much hope. Another notable feature of the past is that Sri Lanka's B. Henricus won a gold in boxing at the 1938 Games, the third, held in Sydney, Australia. Also in 1950 after the second World War, Sri Lanka's Duncan White won the gold in the 440 hurdles event at Auckland, New Zealand. Since then, it was after 44 years that Sri Lanka won a medal at the Games when Pushpamali Ramanayake and Mali Wickramasinghe (air rifle), Lucky Rajasingham (air rifle) and D. H. Chandrasiri (small bore) won gold medals. As such, the Lankan rifle shooters will be looked to maintain the same good form in Kuala Lumpur as well. Significantly, at this Games, there are several top athletes who will be in the medals running. Some of the stars are Indian stickers, the world class Dhanaraj, Mukesh, New Zealand All Blacks ruggerite, Jona Lome. Some of the top teams are South African rugby team known as the Springboks, and the Australian Wallabies. Some of the stars who will be there at today's opening parade will be Waisale Serevi, the star player of the world champion Seven-a-Side Rugby Team, and Australian rugby star David Campesse. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka beat the Maldive Islands 5 - 0 yesterday in Group 'B' of the second round. The results: Duminda Jayakody beat A. Riyas 2 - 0, Thushara Edirisinghe beat A. Shakeeb 2 - 0, Edirisinghe beat A. Shakeeb 2 - 0, Sampath Fernando beat M. Faran 2 - 0; Duminda Jayakody and Thushara Edirisinghe beat A. Shakeeb and H. Riyas 2 - 0, Janaka de Silva and Palinda Halangoda beat M. Faran and A. Riyas 2 - 0. In squash, Sri Lanka's Saman Tillekeratne lost to Canada's Jonathan Power 3 - 0 in the men's Singles event. Two Silvers and two Bronzes for Lankans Sri Lankan athletic team won two Silver medals and two Bronze medals at the 60th Nike Athletic Championships which was concluded at Singapore last week. Olympic athlete Sriyani Kulawansa clocking 13.68 seconds won a silver behind Lesley Tasiny 13.66 of Canada. V. Ratnakumara won a silver in the 800 m running home in 1:49.70 seconds while Krispin Machater (1:47.25) of Zimbabwe bagged the Gold. The Sri Lankan 400 x 4 Relay team won the Bronze while Rohan Pradeep Kumara clocking 46.73 seconds in the 400m sprint accounted for the Bronze medal. Three Sri Lankans, veteran starter Chandra Pitigala and judges B. S. Kalinga and Bernard Perera also officiated in this meet. Junior Asian Cager C'ship timetable maybe
rescheduled The Asian Basketball Federation and Japanese Basketball Federation has decided to restructure the Asian Youth 14th Junior Championships timetable. This has been necessitated following some countries pulling out at the eleventh hour. However, it has been decided to get the approval of all team managers. Officials said that this change would be affected at the customary pre-championships meeting of managers. However, they said that there should be any objection, the original timetable would be followed and as such some teams would as a result be able to enter the qualifying round stage. It is also understood that organisers are still trying to get down countries that have informed their inability to turn up. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan contingent on arrival yesterday were housed at the Prince Hotel in Tokashita where the team captains meeting is scheduled to be held today at which the modalities as to the conducting of the championships is expected to be ironed out. The Lankan team was said to be in good health except for one member, according to coach Sapun Wimal who said that this player might not be able to participate in the championships. According to the original timetable, Sri Lanka is down to meet the strong Chinese team. So far Sri Lanka, in its basketball history has found China its toughest opponent at both senior and junior levels. As such Sri Lanka will have to muster their best if they meet China in their first outing. Negombo Winners FL alleges discrimination The winners Football Club which was given a raw deal by the Negombo Football League by not being granted membership has found its opening from the Wennappuwa Football League. This is mainly due to the direct intervention of the Football Federation. Since its formation last year by the German Soccer enthusiast Dr. Uva Ludt, the Negombo FL, for reasons best known to them had winners FC on the blind side denying them membership. ''It is now an open secret that Winners FC membership was turned down due to sheer jealousy''. claimed Ludt. He also claimed that players after hearing the benefits offered by his club were leaving other clubs and joining us. Ludt, who spends an average rupees five hundred thousand per annum for sports gear and to maintain the club. He accused Don Bosco, their neighbouring club of directly influencing Negombo FL to turn down their affiliation. He also claimed that Don Bosco had suspended 8 of their players for 3 years for simply playing in an exhibition match for Winners FC. Furthermore, three of the suspended players did not play in the match, he added. Ludt, a trained soccer coach said that though there was a suspension on them two players Nishantha and Chanaka had qualified for the final selection trial of the Sri Lanka Schools team's tour of Korea. ''This clearly proves that Don Bosco is out to show the 'red card' to future national players'', he quipped. A shareholder of BOI, he also recalled that his club was deprived permission to conduct a soccer championship in the Negombo district. We had offered nearly Rs. 25,000 as prize money'', he said. Winners FC with membership of 30 mainly young school leavers has had an unblemished record so far winning all its 26 matches played so far. 'This is another reason for other clubs to envy us''. ''We have forwarded the bio data of these players to the Football Federation almost two months ago for registration,'' he disclosed. Minor relief The Football Federation President Manilal Fernando, who was following this issue instructed the Wennappuwa FL to accommodate Winners FC. ''This is not what we wanted but this is at least something responded Ludt while thanking Manilal. He made substantial financial commitments towards the progress of Football in Negombo by way of providing financial assistance to reclaim, Kochchikade Maha Vidyala Playgrounds ''in consultation with, the Director of Education. Already 3 teams have been earmarked namely under 15/17/19 and have been equipped with complete set of football gear for each and every individual player. ''As you will understand the commitments we have made towards football during this period is a total investment Rs. 500,000,'' he said. Tour to Germany ''We are planning to be in Germany for three weeks and play against at least 6 teams'' he said. Ludt said he would seek assistance from Dietmer Doering the Chairman of the Sri Lanka German Sports Exchange Programme in this regard. He said that though his club represents the Wennappuwa League it is somewhat difficult to travel there daily for practices, ''our expenses will double,'' he explained. He suggested to form a new league at Katana to iron out this problem. ''Any way there are many clubs that are not happy with Negombo FL and have huge problems,'' he said. Ludt also said that with approval this proposed league could be tied up with Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who has a similar concept. He also proposed that the new league could re-develop the Wijeyapala Mendis Stadium which is now neglected. ''We can also put up a tennis court,'' he added. A Negombo FC official, when contacted on these issues, said that the Winners FC did not come through the proper channels for league affiliation. ''As far as the three year suspension is concerned we sent them explanation letters and never received a reply,'' he said. C. A. K. Abeysekera Chairman FFSL Competition Committee when contacted said that this issue has now been given over to the Negombo FL for further investigation. ''We are awaiting a report from them," he added. Japanese martial arts experts to conduct
demonstration Japanese martial arts experts are now in Sri Lanka for a demonstration at the International Shitokai Karate Annual session to be held at Narithasan from September 17 to 23. The All Japan Karate-Do-Shitokai Sri Lanka Branch has made arrangements to conduct its annual colours week to be held at Nagoya Narithasan Auditorium at Ranpokunagama, Nittambuwa during this period. A number of special events will be worked out. S. B. Dissanayake, Minister of Sports who will distribute international black belt certificates to about 41 participants who have successfully graduated from an International grading test Deputy Minister, Anura Priyadarsana Yapa, Gampaha District MP, Pandu Bandaranayake, Private Secretary to the Minister of Defence Lasantha Alagiyawanne and Prime Minister's Co-ordinating Secretary, Ranasinghe will also participate. A martial arts demonstration by Japanese karate experts along with their local counterparts will be held during the presentation of certificates. A cultural pageant of upcountry dance and a musical evening will add beauty to this session. Maestro Gunadasa Kapuge, Nimal Gunasekara, Mervin Perera, Wilbert Anthony, Claude de Zoysa are a few of the artists who will share their talents at this festival. The week long International Karate Technical seminar, which will be held for a week will be conducted for senior executives of the Japanese Police Shihan Kiyoshi Sakamoto, Director World Shitoryu Karate Do Federation and the Present World Martial Arts Champion, Black Belt 5th holder, Sensei Hrrofumi Atogami and Sansei Clement De Zoysa, Black Belt 4th holder President and Chief Instructor, Shitokai Sri Lanka Branch. |
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