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Susanthika, No Gold The vast chasm enveloping Sri Lankan athletics must surely have further expanded at the 16th Commonwealth Games on which the curtain fell last Monday. The tragedy of it was that a village lass, whose absence not only deprived Sri Lanka of what might have been a certain gold medal, but also the Commonwealth world of seeing a true star dazzle. As it was doomed to be the Kuala Lumpur stadia was left in empty air by that void. The sprightly Susanthika Jayasinghe left in limbo. Just a mere television spectator from her home, who in reality was the country's prime gold medal hope. The hopes of all those years of sweat on the track shattered. Susanthika Jayasinghe, fine combed from the hamlet of Warakapola, brought down to Colombo a starry eyed, barefoot kid without the financial resources to back her, but inborn talent is her source of wealth, a wealth invested on the track in a thorny rise to stardom. But a stardom lost to Sri Lanka. A stardom lost to the Kuala Lumpur track. Stiffled in the track. A glory day that might have very possibly been Sri Lanka's. But alas not to be. An extraordinary talent frozen in the track. What was truly the country's greatest asset having lost her rhythm. Had not Sri Lanka's golden girl - a title she rightfully she lays claims to - displayed the potential of giving her motherland what had eluded the Lankan athletic world for decades since the halycon days of the late Duncan White. Defeating the No. 1 in the universe in the 200 metres event at the World Championships in Athens last year on her way to the silver medal. Her timing an enviable 22.33 seconds. Whatever the pros and cons of the drug related issue, the second of its kind affecting Susanthika's career, if not illustrious, carried greater promise in the Lankan athletic horizon. The non participation of Susanthika, seen as Sri Lanka's biggest hope for the 2,000 year Sydney Olympics, was nothing but a big blow to the country's athletics where what looked like a certain gold medal went in the drain. Four years is a long time when the next Commonwealth Games will be held, and Susanthika might well not carry the same clout as of now. For the authorities, if as Susanthika claims she was fixed, all the trumpeting and fuss and expanding of finances and labour at seeing a better Sri Lanka in the athletic world, has come to nought. The ruination of a great career, left to whither away. As it was, Sri Lanka did not go beyond only a silver medal at the Games, the first by a Lankan woman athlete, Sriyani Kulawansa in the Commonwealth's 16-year long history. A possibility of a gold medal through cricket also dashed on the rocks by the non participation of what should have been at least two to the specialists. Easy
wins for Korea, China In the opening game of the 9th Asian Women's Junior Volleyball Championship in Bangkok between host country Thailand and Chinese Taipe was played on Thursday. Thailand won this game 4 sets to 1. The game lasted only 33 minutes when Thailand won 15-7, 15-13, 13-15 and 15-8. The second game of the day saw Korea became victorious over Malaysia 3 sets to 0. Australians completed the game in 59 minutes scoring 15-3, 15-4 and 15-6, respectively. China took on Vietnam in the fourth game of the day. China defeated Vietnam when they had an easy passage over their rivals 3-sets to 0. Chinese spikers scored their points very comfortably to have the first three sets and the game in their favour 15-3, 15-1 and 15-3. Sri Lankan women spikers were scheduled to take on Thailand who are bringing with confidence after winning their first game against Chinese Taipe. D. N. Munasinghe speaking said Thailand after their victory over Taipe is in top form. Thais who have won this championship on two occasions have the advantage over us as they play on their home soil. But Lankans are sure to give stiff opposition. After four preliminary round matches Korea and Thailand with two points heads the Group 'A' while Australia and China with the same number of points are slated on top of Group 'B'. Today (24) Sri Lanka will confront Malaysia, while Korea take on Taipe in Group A. In Group 'B' China will meet Australia and Singapore take on Japan. C.R. & F.C. proposes to have a 'Tennis for All' tournament from October 3-11 at the CR & FC tennis courts. Age is no barrier, hence 7-70. The idea of this tournament is to promote tennis and to give those who participate a lot of fun; Unfortunately 'Champions' will have to be excluded, as this tournament is expecially for those who have not won a title in a regular open event. This rule does not apply to those over 30. A special mixed doubles event for those over 30 and 40 years, in addition to the regular events will also be worked out. Lots of prizes and surprises are in store. A & A (International) Opticians are offering every participant a gift voucher, Hemachandra Jewellers gift vouchers to all winners over-18 in the singles events. For those 'promising' players, here are 15 rackets to be won, in addition to trophies. The main sponsors of this tournament will be Prestige Automobile (Pvt.) Ltd., and Master Divers. The official ball for this event will be 'Penn' which will be provided by United Sports. Kalutara BMV netballers dominate Kalutara BMV once again maintained their supremeray at the National Schools Games Netball Championships when they won the under 15 and 17 championships at Veyangoda. The Kurunegala Maliyadeva lasses beat Swarnamali BMV, Kandy in a cliff hanger 29-27 to take the under 19 title. The Kalutara under 15 team over-came Maliyadeva BMV 17-13 while their under-17 team had the better of Pannala National School to clinch the two titles. As expected St. Anthony's, Kandy clinched the boys badminton title by beating Nalanda Colombo while Mahamaya, Kandy trounced Visakha on their way to the girl's title. In the keenly contested volleyball championships Dhammissara MV Nattandiya dominated with superior spiking power winning the boys under-15, boys under-19 and girls under-19 titles. However their under-17 team which had qualified for the finals was disqualified as the side had fielded an unregistered player. Henegama MMV was awarded the under-19 title while Peradeniya MMV beat Dambadeniya VMB to take the under-17 girl's title. The high riding Pushpadana BMV Kandy once again had their own way bagging the girls table tennis event getting the better of Mahamaya, Kandy. St. Joseph's BMV, Nugegoda finished third. In the boy's championships Royal College, Colombo created a major sensation beating the formidable Vidyartha, Kandy to take the title. Sri Devananda, Ambalangoda was third. Parakaduwa, Narada MMV boys maintained their longstanding record in style taking the Physical Training Championships while Dankutuwa BMV grabbed the girls title. In the body building championship Joseph Vaz, Wennappuwa's representative W. A. S. Ruwan Kumara won the gold medal. H. A. Janaka Chandimal (Isipatana, Colombo) and K. Priyantha Kurunaratne (Danthure MV, Pilimathalawa) won the silver and bronze respectively. Awards:
(Boys) Gold Medal - Katuneriya MMV, Silver - Sri Pannanda MV, Raddoluwa; Bronze Medal - St. Anne's MV, Borelessa. Girls: Gold - Kandalaya Government School, Sinnapaduwa. Silver - Devi Samara MV Seeduwa. Cricket: Gold Medal - Devananda MV, Ambalangoda, Silver Medal - Wedamulla Mv, Kelaniya, Bronze - Weligama Arfa MV.
Boys: Gold Medal - Ananda, Colombo (76 points), Silver - Maris Stella, Negombo (11 points), Bronze - Mahasen MMV, Nikaweratiya and Dharmapala Pannipitiya (5 points). Girls: Gold - Good Shepherd, Kotahena (34 points), Silver - Vishaka, Colombo (18 points), Bronze - Mahasen Nikaweratiya (13 points).
Under 17 - Boys E. N. D. Gunasekera (Ananda, Colombo). Girls - Chandima Gunatilleke (Vishaka, Colombo). Under 19 - Boys - E. M. Prasad Ekanayake (Ananda, Colombo). Girls - N. Andriyan Gamage (Good Shepherd, Kotahena).
Under 15 girls - Semi Finals: Maliyadeva B.M.V. Kurunegala (North Western) beat Kegalle B. M. V. Kegalle (Sabaragamuwa) 14-12, Vidyaloka M.V. Kadawatha (Western) lost to Kalutara B.M.V. (Western) 17-7. Final: Maliyadeva B.M.V. beat Kalutara B.M.V. 17-13. 3rd Place: Kegalla B.M.V. beat Kadawatha Vidyaloka V., 16-9. Under 17 Girls: Semi Finals - Ranjan Wijeratne M.V. Eheliyagoda (Sabaragamuwa) lost to Kalutara B.M.V. Kalutara (Western) 21-11. Girls High School (Central lost to Pannala National School (North Western) 25-9. Finals: Kalutara B.M.V., Kalutara beat Pannala National School 23-16. 3rd Place: Ranjan Wijeratne M.V. Eheliyagoda lost to Girls High School, Kandy 23-24. Under 19 Girls: Semi Finals: Swarnamali B.M.V. Kandy (Central) beat Kalutara B.M.V. (Western) 26-22. St. Anthony's B.M.V. Kandy (Central) lost to Maliyadeva B.M.V. Kurunegala (North Western) 21-31. Finals: Swarnamali B.M.V. Kandy lost to Maliyadeva B.M.V., Kurunegala 27-29. 3rd Place: Kalutara B.M.V. Kalutara beat St. Anthony's College, Kandy 35-9. |
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