The Island sports

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"Duncan White Foundation away from sports politics"

"The Duncan White Sports Foundation (DWSF) is not a charity organization but an organization which acknowledges and annually honours special sporting achievements", said the president elect of the DWSF Jennifer Moragoda.

Addressing a press briefing, held to discuss offers affecting the future of the DWSF as it moves to meet the challenges of the next millennium, she said the Foundation is completely away from sports politics. "Ours is a body like the noble award presentation organization. We annually assess the progress made by sportsmen and women in Olympic disciplines and acknowledge then by awarding them both with cash and the coveted Duncan White trophy every April", she explained.

She said that she still feels that Susanthika Jayasinghe is our medal hope for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. "She is world class."

Stating her views on her presidency she said she was honoured to be working alongside top sportsmen of yesteryear who are her co-members.

"In view of the demise of Sri Lanka's only Olympic champion the Duncan White award will be re-named the Duncan White Memorial Award. The Duncan White award will be reposited at the Trinity College archives for posterity. A new Duncan White Memorial Award will be made available at the 1999 award ceremony; she added.

The outgoing president Ken Balendra said that though White had won a silver medal at the 1948 London Olympics it was really after the formation of the foundation in 1990 that people really got to know Duncan White.

"The Duncan White Sport Foundation was founded on Duncan White's 72nd birth anniversary. March 01, 1990. The first (1990) Duncan White award was made on March 01, 1991. Though the Duncan White award is not an annual award, in the past eight years, the award was made without interruption; he said.

While relinquishing his four year term he said that sports administrators must not hang on to position simply to be in power. He also thanked all his members and founder member C. Vijitha Fernando who was a tower of strength.

Duel Citizenship
He also said that they were pleased that they could obtain duel citizenship for White a few years ago.

"Duncan White's silver medal at the 1948 London Olympiad allowed us to celebrate the golden jubilee anniversary along with the golden jubilee anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence from Britain in the same year. Duncan also received the national honour of a Deshamanya from the president at the initiation of Lakshman Kadirgamar.,Minister of Foreign Affairs. In may 1998, he said. He should have got this award long time ago."

Vijitha Fernando disclosed that they have decided to take off rifle shooting from their list of award nominees. "All the rifle shooters are attached to the forces" he explained. He also said that Susanthika should be training abroad.

"A world class athlete should be training with world class athletes and should be free of any mental problems that she is having now;" he said.

"Susanthika Jaya-singhe came close with her blistering run in the 200 meters at the world championships in Athens in 1997. With a world timing of 22.33 seconds, Susanthika remains the only hope for a possible medal at the Olympics in the year 2000. With this time, Susanthika ranks immediately behind Marion Jones (21.98 as July 1998) in the 1998 world women's list. The only woman to sprint faster than Susanthika; he added.

He also thanked Minister C. V. Gooneratne for incorporating the DWSF in parliament when asked as to why the Sports Minister S. B. Dissssanayake was never invited to be a special invitee for the DWSF awards ceremony he said the sports minister had declined to do so. "We invited the Sports Minister to be the Guest of Honour at one of our ceremonies but he never turned up" he said.

Memorial Service
It was also disclosed that a special memorial service for Duncan White will be held on October 24 at 6 p.m. at Trinity College chapel Kandy. Duncan has expressed a wish that the scroll and the Olympic silver medal be kept in the archives of his Alma Mater Trinity.

The changes at the Foundation are as follows:

Council of Trustees:

Chairperson: Jenni-fer Moragoda, Desha-manya Ken Balendra, C. Vijitha Fernando, Honourable C. V. Gooneratne MP. Honourable Lakshman Kadirgamar PC., MP, Kavan Rambukwella, Elmo Rajasooriya, Malik Samarawick-reme and Christopher White. (New Trustee Hon. C. V. Gooneratne MP.

Committee of Delegates:

Chairperson: Jennifer Moragoda, Sanjiva Gardiner, Penny Jaye-wardene, Brigadier Nihal Marambe, IGP Lucky Kodituwakku (to confirm), Representatives from Broadcast, Print and Television Media. President/Secretary, National Governing bodies of Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Swimming, Track and Field, and such other Sports may be included from time to time. Director of Sports and the National Coach.

Board of Directors:

Chairperson: Jennifer Moragoda, Desha-manya Ranjit Abey-suriya, Deshamanya Ken Balendra, Gwen Herat, Chrysantha Perera, Summa Nava-ratnam, Kavan Ram-bukwella, Stanley Unamboowe. C. Vijitha Fernando (Secretary/Acting). Treasurer (To be nominated). Chairman, Technical Committee.

A permanent technical committee will be established with Neville Abeygonawardene as its Chairman.

Past winners of the Duncan White Award:

1990 - Sriyantha Dissanayake/Track & Track & Field Chief Guest: Duncan
White

1991 - Damayanthi Darsha/Track & Field Chief Guest: Eddie Gray

1992 - Ranjith Subasinghe/Track & Field Chief Guest: Duncan White

1993 - Damayanthi Darsha/Track & Field Chief Guest His Excellency D. B. Wijetunga

1994 - Pushpamalee Ramanayake & Malini Wickremasighe/Air Rifle Shooting Gold Medal/Commonwealth Games Chief Guest: Honourable Lakshman Kadirgamar PC MP

1995 - Susanthika Jayasinghe/Track & Field Chief Guest: Honourable C. V. Gooneratne MP

1996 - Susanthika Jayasinghe/Track & Field Chief Guest: Honourable Lakshman Jayakody MP.

1997 - Susanthika Jayasinghe/Track & Field Chief Guest: Honourable Lakshman Kadirgamar PC, MP.

It would also be a good idea for the DWSF to get down a foreign coach and conduct a few coaching camps. One camp could be conducted at Trinity College Kandy for school leavers.

Clifford Cup boxing from Sept. 23

By Ravi Nagahawatte
The preliminary rounds of the Clifford Cup Boxing Meet will commence on September 23 at the Police Field Force boxing ring in Bambalapitiya. The tournament venue will however be shifted to the Sugathadasa Stadium from the 24 (Thursday) with the finals being scheduled for 25 (Friday) at the same venue.

Bouts will commence at 5.30 p.m. on each day.

This meet which is conducted by the Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka is open to all amateur boxers who are not novices and are between the age of 17 and 34.

The tournament rules specify that a boxer can compete only in one weight class and the overall winners will be selected from those accumulating the highest points. A team should consist not less than four boxers.

The championship will be conducted according to A.B.A. rules while the best boxer and best loser will receive two medals and certificates.

The preliminary weigh-in, medical examination and draw will be held at 8 a.m. on Wednesday September 23 at Depot Police boxing ring Thimbirigas-yaya.

Applications of competitors should be addressed to Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sunil Maligaspe, Secretary Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka, No 80/1 , Sir George R. De Silva Mawatha, Colombo 15 on or before September 22 (Thursday).

Foreign promotion of Horse racing in Sri Lanka

The Committee of the Sri Lanka Turf Club, who have successfully held two race meets this year, intends expanding the local operation with the assistance of foreign collaboration or assistance to further develop the existing pattern of racing. In view of the interest shown by a wider segment of new owners and the prospective potential for the future, development definitely needs planning and long term investment which is a primary requirement for the growth of a breeding industry, which should be the ultimate goal for a solid foundation for horse racing to thrive in the future planning has got to be done now and not after the industry had folded up.

With this positive step in the minds of a few owners, they have invited Dr. S. R. Gandhe and Dr. S. K. Rohmetra of the giant Poonawella Stud Farm and Agri Farm of Pune in India to visit Sri Lanka from 22nd September 1998, with a view to closer relations with SAARC member countries, they will make assessment of local conditions, standard of racing, quality of local bred horses and advice on developing the industry and the reintroduction of thoroughbred horses of Indian bred origin. As the Government of India will grant concessions for the potential of foreign investment and expertise, these gentleman have been invited to meet the major player of horse racing in Sri Lanka.

After the Annual General Meeting of the SLTC, to be held on 22nd September 1998, they would like to meet members of the club at the "Capri" in Colombo after which they will present a video film and distribute their brochures for the information of all those present. As this would be an excellent opportunity, the officials of the Sri Lanka Turf Club invite all owners who are interested to attend the video presentation and discuss with the visitors who would be only too pleased to answer all questions posed to them, states an SLTC press release.

Stout strength for Volleyball

Volleyball is Sri Lanka's national sport, and not cricket as most would believe. There is no doubt that Sri Lanka has achieved much in cricket, however, upto now volleyball has always been a minor player on the sidelines. This is now about to change, with far reaching implications for volleyball players and fans alike, state a press release.

"What we found is that volleyaball is an incredibly popular sport, especially in rural areas, and you see men, women and children of all ages and occupations enthusiastically playing the game. Some of the volleyball talent is quite remarkable Ð at national and international standards," says Herman Pereira, Lion Stout Brand Manager at The Ceylon Brewery Ltd, which has made a commitment to support the sport from district level upwards hereafter.

The fact is that volleyball has survived for decades among a few loyal enthusiasts. This group, spearheaded by the Sri Lanka volleyball Federation, has succeeded in establishing a number of basics for the sport in the country such as the supply of regular volleyball equipment, training and assistance through government channels, in addition to the arrangement of affiliations with international volleyball organisations. This has resulted in some Sri Lankan participation in international competitions, but at a level far below that which may be expected of a national sport of a country.

With the signing of a far-reaching sponsorship agreement with The Ceylon Brewery Ltd in September of this year, the sport has received a much-needed boost. The initial tranche of the sponsorship will be a package of Rs. 250,000 for the Janadhipathi Ran Kusalana Volleyball Championship, but will go on to include sponsorship of other tournaments, championships and training assistance. The sponsorship will cover the principal aspects of the game, including administration, affiliation, equipment and competition at district, regional, national and, in time to come, international levels.

"The talent is there. They only thing lacking was the funding," says. Herman Pereira. With the help of The Ceylon Brewery, volleyaball in Sri Lanka will be getting much more than a stout effort to boost the game to the next level of competitive excellence."

A victory and defeat with the last pair in

When the gallant last wicket pair took South Africa to a most unlikely win in the semi-final at the Commonwealth Games, all Sri Lankan fans were duly disappointed. Naturally. But, there would have been one member of the team who would have felt it even more than the rest. That is Malintha Warnapura.

The former Peterite vented his frustrations - for being cruelly axed at the eleventh hour earlier this year from the Junior national squad which toured South Africa - during the semi-final game against South Africa at the Commonwealth Games being staged in Kuala Lumpur. Warnapura, an almost certainty for the youth tour of South Africa, was replaced under circumstances that could be best described as unethical and 'not cricket'. The youngster, given this opportunity, not only bowled his heart out (10-1-14-2) but also accounted for two run outs. A Reuter report described Warnapura's performance as follows:

Both Springboks (Rindel and Kallis) went out in stunning run outs by Malintha Warnapura who backed his fielding up with two wickets for only 14 runs. Rindel was out to a direct throw from Warnapura at cover, then to dismiss Kallis, the Sri Lankan chased down the ball at mid-on, then managed to toss it towards the bowler's end as he fell in the opposite direction. His throw was right on top of the stumps and Kallis was gone for 10"

Encouragement Breeds Confidence
"It is indeed heartening to note that Warnapura, despite the traumatic experience he had at the door being shut on his face just on the eve of a tour earlier on, is continuing to play the game. That shows courage and determination, characteristics necessary for success. Encouragement breeds confidence in a player. Sadly, the converse also applies. Or, put another way, even the best of players can be discouraged and subsequently their performances reduced, if (say) not being sent in to bat in the right position or bowled at the opportune moment.

For instance, when a bowler is brought on during the 45-50 over stage of a limited-overs game, the chances are that he will end up with a few wickets when the batsmen are swinging their bats around. But, could the same bowler have scalped any victims earlier on? In the final reckoning, the bowling figures do not indicate at what stage the wickets were captured, so the man who (say) scalps the openers and an early order batsman may end up with 3/40, while spinner who bowled at the tail-end and picked up few lucky wickets when the batsmen were having a splurge may have more flattering figures. Unfair? Well, that is how the the game goes.

When the boot is on the other foot
Reverting to the Commonweatlh games, it was sad that the last South African pair thwarted the Sri Lankans. Of course, we had a similar experience against the Zimbabweans, and on that occasion it was the Zimbabweans who drew the short straw. In the quarter-final against Zimbabwe Sri Lanka chased over 260 runs and reached their goal with the last pair in. In the very next game, against South Africa, Sri Lanka failed to defend half that total and conceded defeat with the last pair of the opposition putting on a nerve-tingling 35 runs!

Avishka, Indika, Chandika
Overall, it was creditable that the current team did reach the semi-finals and lost a cliffhanger. Young Avishka Gunawardena became the first player to hit a hundred in the Commonwealth Games. A signal honour. Indika de Saram certainly confirms the extraordinary talent displayed even as a schoolboy. Russell Arnold, though, not tasting too much success on this tour is a player of much potential. Chandika Hathurusinghe, a player who represented the youth national team while in school - though, not having yet been picked for the school first eleven. A record which will always remain in our country! - and who scored half-centuries in each of his first three Tests, showed glimpses of what he is capable of. A classic instance of a player with much potential not persisted with. So, Sri Lanka is not short of talent. We've got loads. They only need mature guidance and support. There are many who have played the game at the highest levels in the administration who are still unable to give the green light to the deserving.

So, the claim that they have played and therefore hold an inalienable right to pick who should play seems rather thin on the ground. In addition to having played at the top level, if they are to be successful in their quest, they must be independent, possess sound judgement and clear vision, and be prepared to scout the length and breadth of the country.

The Team was without the stars
There was must controversy as to why the stars did not go on the tour. There are two sides to that story, and best left alone. After all, England, the so-called head of the Commonwealth, did not send a side. Whereas, Australia sent a full-strength team and have qualified to meet South Africa in the finals. India, despite having to participate in the Sahara Cup, sent another squad Ð including Tendulkar - to Kuala Lumpur. Nobody was resting.

Why was Hashan picked to lead the team?
However, it is a bit confusing that Hashan Tillekeratne was picked to lead the side for the Games. Remember, Hashan was sent back to Sri Lanka after the Tests in South Africa since he was not incontention to play in the One-day team. Now, he is appointed captain of a side to play One-day cricket.

Of course, the selectors in their wisdowm, must be having very good reasons for their action, but for simple minds it is difficult to digest. That Hashan ran out of sufficient overs at the end to give his spinners a bowl stood out like a sore thumb. But, given the pressure situation he was in, trying to prise out the last pair, her may have put all his eggs into one basket and tried to 'finish it off' with the overs available to the to the spinners.

Unfortunately, the ploy did not work. And, it must be admitted that despite being Nos. 10 & 11, Boje and Dawson gave an object lesson of how to chase a target. Unruffled and calm, the pair took the singles and the twos and batted well within their limited abilities. Indeed their unbeaten 35-run partnership was the biggest in the South African innings. Well played Boje and Dawson. As skipper Pollock himself remarked at the end of this dramatic game: "Pinch me". He just could not believe that his team had made it into the finals.

The old, old story of picking 'keepers who can bat
Also, there were a couple of fielding lapses behind the stumps, including a missed stumping, and a missed catch going to the boundary in the last over, which eventually proved crucial. Proving yet again, the importance of a reliable wicket-keeper. Our selectors unfortunately still continue laying importance to the batting aspect of a wicket-keeper. It may be being smart after the event, but, if Mahela Jayawardena, who bowled the last over sent a few teasing spinners rather than his fastish off-spin - Hathurusinghe bowled a useful over in the slower style - may have helped. Then, it is very easy to be critical after the event.

Coach Ana disappointed, but not ashamed

by Jatila Karawita
Rugby coach, Ana Saranapala, speaking to 'The Island' in the aftermath of the return of the Sri Lanka Sevens teams last Wednesday from the Commonwealth Games Sevens Tournament said that though he was disappointed with the results obtained by the side, but not overly disconsolate with the performances especially against sides like New Zealand and Australia. He said, "to frankly sum-up the overall performances, I would say we failed miserably in our game against Malaysia. That was a game which I thought we should have done well to pull off in our favour. But against all expectations, the boys, due to no tangible reason came a cropper in that vital match for us. I thought there were three areas in particular which we were found wanting against Malaysia. They were trying to run the ball from our in-goal area unsuccessfully. Crucial tackles were missed as well as the defence, which was simply awful, but paid to our chances of dictating any terms to the rivals."

Saranapala said that besides the defeat suffered at the hands of hosts, Malaysia which he preferred to put as surprising the display of the locals against both New Zealand and Australia was not something the local rugby fraternity should be ashamed of. "To be realistic, I must admit there was no way our sevens team with the bunch of ruggerites we took to Malaysia for these Games was going to do the impossible against the All-Blacks and the Wallabies. Against these two international rugby superpowers, our aim was to restrict the final score to below 50 points. And in that regard I would say we did our level best but the power-play of particularly the New Zealanders was just too much for our lads and they capitulated tamely in the end!

When asked to signal out any player who made the biggest impact in the completion the National Coach, without batting an eyelid, pointed his finger at CR winner M. J. Mushtaq saying that he was picked as Sri Lanka's player of the tournament by the Sri Lankan tour management for his overall performance Saranapala said. "Besides Mushtaq who was the most impressive of the entire lot, people like Alfred Hensman, Sudath Sampath, Asanga Rodrigo and the rest did their best but it was just one of those things that we had come home with empty hands in the end". He felt that the Sevens rugby future of Sri Lanka was not bleak at all as had been painted in some newspaper" though we faied dismally in this year's Games'.

He noted that with proper restructuring of the country's coaching 'we should be able to come up to the level of Taiwan on the Asian rugby scene.

Samantha muscles his way to Mr. Protinex title

By Ravi Nagahawatte
Physical culturalist, M. A. H. Samantha, began promisingly for the year 1998 by crowning himself "Mr. Protinex" in the Inter-Club Body building Championship which was worked off at the Central Y.M.C.A. Gymnasium of Friday.

Samantha destroyed all competition which came his way and stood on the dais like a true champion all the while before the crowning moment. First he out muscled the Six finalist to win his class (Bantam Weight) and later used his best "weapon" - the double biceps pose - to outclass his opponents in the fight for the title.

M. Nasim of the Y.M.C.A. (Fort) registered a shock win over favourite, Nimal Wanniarachchi, to bag the award in the light weight class. Nasim took the fight right to the pose down event and managed to get the nod from the judges, who were perhaps impressed by his overall muscularity.

Seasoned campaigner, Aruna Dabare, made a welcome return to competition by winning the Light Middle weight class while S. W. Sanjeewa stamped his "class" as the new Welter Weight champion.

The contest was officiated by Pathmasiri Perera, R. Gunasekara, Nimal Chandrasri and Ranjith Perera of the Sri Lanka Body Building Federation.

The "show" was organised by the Physical Culture Department of the Central Y.M.C.A. and was sponsored by Protinex (Astron Pvt. Ltd).

Results as follows:-

Junior (Under 21) - 1. Janaka Chandimal (Kalutara Physical Culture Club), 2. Sanjeewa Nuwan Kumara (Power Man. Gymnasium Katana), 3. Nayana Perera (Waskaduwa Barbell Club).

Seniors (Fly Weight) - 1. Prasanna Peiris (Atlas Gymnasium), 2. Subash Siriwardana (Navy), 3. Tedson Silva (Super Gymnasium).

Bantam Weight - 1. M. A. H. Samantha (J. L. Morrison Sports Club), 2. Dixon De Saram (Kollupitiya Community Centre), 3. S. P. Rajkumar (Dematagoda Community Centre).

Light Weight - 1. M. Nasim (Y.M.C.A. Fort), 2. Nimal Wanniarachchi (Lion Arm Gymnasium), 3. Kamal Prasanna Peiris (Sanjeewa Body Building Club).

Welter Weight - 1. S. W. Sanjeewa (Dematagoda Community Centre), 2. M. R. Wijeweera (Wanathamulla Community Centre), 3. Anton Fonseka (Arnold Health Club).

Light Middle Weight - 1. Aruna Dabare (Kolonnawa Body Building Club), 2. G. G. Priyankara (Body Power Gymnasium), 3. Dilshan Jayantha (Body Power Gymnasium).

Middle Weight - 1. Jayantha Jayalal (Otters Club), 2. C. P. Charles (Army), 3. T. M. Fareed (Y.M.C.A. Fort).