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Avishka, Marvan pull Sri Lanka out of woods
Mangala Dharmaprema reporting from Sharjah
Sri Lanka scored 245 for 7 in curtain raiser engagement against India in the Sharjah Champions Cup here in Sharjah yesterday.Mohamed Azharuddin who called right invited Lankans to take first lease of the wicket. Lankan openers Avishka Gunewardene and Sanath Jayasuriya took time to settle down. They managed only 17 runs in the first five overs. Avishka Gunewardene speeded up the scoring when he sent the ball to the boundary on five occasions. Two off Ajith Agarkar and three off Srinath which also helped Sri Lanka to accelerate the scoring rate. The openers put on 79 runs.
Avishka and MarvanIndian skipper introduced spinners Chopra and experienced Kumble to the attack after 12 overs. This brought down the run rate considerably. Anil Kumble's first over saw Avishka register his first one day half century. Avishka who faced 55 balls to compile his innings of 52 became the first victim of Anil Kumble. His innings contained 8 boundaries.
Chopra who bowled a maiden had Sanath's wicket when the score was 85. Sanath facing 41 balls scored 27 runs with the aid of 2 boundaries.
Aravinda de Silva who joined Marvan Atapattu after the fall of the second wicket failed to live upto expectations and was back in the pavilion facing only four balls for no runs. Kumble was responsible for his wicket when Saurav Ganguly held on to a good catch.
Skipper Arjuna Ranatunge walked out to partner Atapattu who was in good nick. Two of them steadied the innings putting on 89 runs for the fourth wicket. Arjuna making 43 offered a return catch to Agarkar.
Atapattu continued the good work and went on to reach a well deserved half century. Atapattu on 64 was ruled out lbw to Srinath. Atapattu stayed at the wicket to face 93 balls.
Romesh Kaluwitharana too made a quickfire 22 in 19 balls which helped Sri Lanka reach a respectable total from their allotted 50 overs.
India brought in three spinners for this game. Azharuddin preferred to leave out Rahul Dravid to bring in Nikhil Chopra. Sri Lanka brought in Tilan Samaraweera to replace Muralitharan who is down with an injury.
Singapore Rugby Sevens
Lanka play China Uni. TodayAlthaf Nawaz reporting from Singapore
Sri Lanka rugger team led by Indrajith Bandaranayake tagged as Rugby Football Club of Sri Lanka will scrum down with debutants Beijing University of China at the Singapore SC's Golden Jubilee Celebration International Club Sevens which begins at Padang today.The Lankans who are slated in group 'II' will meet last year's losing finalist of the Cup tournament Duavatelevu of Fiji, after confronting the Chinese University team in curtain raiser. Fijians lost to Taradale of New Zealand 26-14 for the second consecutive year. Taradale are clear favourites for the Cup Championship once again.
The unbeaten teams of each group (eight) will move into the Cup Championship. The runner-up of each group will move into the Plate and the third team play in the Bowl Championship.
Lanka lads had their final work out last evening, are free from injuries. Only two players survive from the team which played last in this tournament in 1993. They are skipper Indrajith Bandaranayake and Nalin Dissanayake.
Pradeep Basanayake, Duminda de Silva with Alfred Hensman will form the front row. Hensman will play in as hooker. The nippy Nilufer Ibrahim will occupy the key scrum half's berth. The untirish Asanga Rodrigo will be the flyhalf. Skipper Bandaranayake will be the centre. M. J. M. Mushtaq will play as winger.
Ana Saranapala speaking to 'The Island' said 'we have done a lot of hard work and the boys are keen to perform well. All depends on the opponent we meet. We have overcome the mistakes which we did in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the Commonwealth Sevens Tournament'.
The Lankan team was hosted a dinner by their sevens sponsors Sea Consortium Limited last night. A leading Shipping Company came forward to boost them for this interesting tournament.
The president of the Sri Lanka Rugby Union is due to arrive in Singapore to witness the two day tournament on his way to attend several meetings regarding the Asian Games. The tournament organisers Singapore Cricket Club is dissapointed over the absence of the Sri Lankan referee Nizam Jamaldeen.
Sports Festival for the disabled
by Jatila Karawita
A sports festival for disabled persons organised by Lions International District 306 B will be held on November 21 at Reid Avenue grounds starting at 1.00 p.m. Addressing a press conference in this regard at the CH and FC board room on Wednesday, District Chairman, Lion Lucky Jayasuriya said the main purpose behind this sports festival was to give that much needed helping hand to the disabled handicapped people and make them aware that they are not isolated in this world. He said, under the leadership of the District Governor Lion Malik Zaveer and the dedicated Lions from the district with the loving and sturdy arms of Lionism are geared and ready to focus attention to the life needs and the rehabilitation of these stricken brethren and many of aspects of their latent talents especially in the sports arena. 'It will spotlight deserving recognition and sincere encouragement to a category of people who strive to rise from the depths of despondency and misery. The injured soldiers from the armed services will be prominent participants which number over 250,' he said.Lion Malik Zaveer, District Governor addressing the media said that this sports festival for the disabled which is organised by them for the fifth time would comprise several events such as 100 metres wheel chair, a race meant purely for the amputees who have to run without the help of any crutches, a race meant for the blind, a cricket match organised for the blind, a disabled volleyball match and three different drill displays conducted by a Japanese volunteer working in Sri Lanka. Zaveer added that this sports festival organised by the Lions District 306 B will also coincide with the important and prestigious 26th South Asia, Africa and Middle East forum of the Lions Club's International which is to be held in Colombo from November 19 to 22.
An attendance of over 400 foreign delegates together with a strong contingent of local Lions are anticipated with the event itself to be graced by Lion Kajith Habanananda the International Lions President who will be the Chief Guest.
It was also disclosed that through the kind generosity of the Lions Clubs, commercial establishments and philanthropic individuals many attractive prizes and gifts are to be offered to the winners of the respective events and the participants as well.
Biggest contingent for Asian Games
By Shirajiv Sirimane
A mammoth contingent of 85 sportsmen and women have been picked by the Ministry of Sports for the Bangkok Asian Games scheduled to be held from December 6 to 20 in Thailand. This incidentally is the biggest team from Sri Lanka ever to represent the Asian Games. The national selection committe has included 13 sports for the games. Though there were numorous rquestes made to include, hockey, women's squash teams, they have been turned down. The biggest surprise is the non-inclusion of Tennis and womens swimmers.However the National selection committe has thought it fit to include an incredible number of 26 ruggerites and two taekwondo players.
A kabaddi team too is included and the team management has promised a medal from the sport.
The ageing national selectors have finally decided to give due recognition for the athletes and have been genorous enough to include 7 women and 11 men for the games. Dispite numourous requests the selectors only included three athletes for the recently concluded Commonwealth Games.
Undoubtedly the biggest surprise is the school girl Long Jumper Anoma Suriyarachchi from Galle who has been included for an unconventional 100M relay.
Senior athlete S. Jayamini Illeperuma and Nayanthi Kumari has been left out of the squad.
Susanthika Jayasinghe who has promised two gold medals from the games has been included in the 100m relay as well. Damayanthi Dharsha, Sriyani and Pradeepa Herath are the other three members of the team.
Susanthika won a Silver (200 M) and a Bronze (100M) while Commonwealth Games Silver medalist Dharsha was third in the 200 M. Sriyani finished fourth in the 100M Hurdles at last games in Hiroshima.
Thusal Gunawardane the undisputed Champion Wind surfer gets his first break to represent the country along with Lalin Lalendra.
The Rifle Shooters who disappointed the country at the last Commonwealth Games returning empty handed are confident to produce some medal, next month.The nine member team consists of only women.
Maiya Gunasekera has been already appointed as th Chef De mission of the tour while the other officials are yet to be announced by the Ministry. Gunasekera after his, surprise appointment requested an unlimited Credit Card facilities for expenses at the games.
Asian Games - 1998 Bangkok
Sri Lankan team
ATHLETICS
Men - Sugath Tillekeratn 400m, 4x400 R, Rohan Pradeep Kumara 400, 4x400 R, V. Ratnakumar 4x400 R, Suminda Mendis 4x400 R, W. M. S. K. Wijetunge 4x400 R, Harijan Ratnayake 400 H, 4x400 R, Chinthaka de Zoysa 100m, Lalith Galappaththi 1500m, Ruwan Pradeep Perera Pole Vault, B. N. M. Nayanananda 20 km Walking Race, Mahesh Perera 100m H.Women - Susanthika Jayasinghe 100m, 200m, 4x100m R, Damayanthi Darsha 200m, 400, 4x100m R, Sriyani Kulawansa 100 H, 4x100m R, Pradeepa Herath 4x100m R, Anoma Sooriyarachchi 4x100m R, Nimmi de Zoysa 400m, SujeEwa Nilmini 5000m, 10,000m.
GOLF
Men - Tissa Chandradasa, Anura Rohana, Rusi Captain, Lalith Kumara (Team events).Women - Thulasini Selvaratnam, Anouk Chanmugam, Shyanika de Silva (Team is approved subjEct to the availability of Thulasini Selvaratnam).
RUGGER
Harm Gabriel, Shantha Rohana, Dunstan de Silva, Viraj Prasantha (Capt.), Ranmal Weerasekera, Suranga Amerasinghe, Pradeep Basnayake, Asoka Jayasena or Kapila Silva, Duminda Silva, B. Dharmapala, Alfred Hensman, Haris Omar, Shamly Nawaz, Nilufer Ibrahim, Champika Nishantha, Asanga Rodrigo, Sajith Mallikarachchi, Indrajith Bandaranayake, M. Mushtaq, Kishan Musafer, Harein Perera, Manjula Pathirana, Lasantha Wijesuriya, Radhika Hettiarachchi, Nalaka Weerakkody, Nalin Dissanayake.RIFLE SHOOTING
3x20 Sport Rifle Women - P. I. Ratnayake, K. D. M. Wickremasinghe, D. M. K. Pussella.40 Shot Air Rifle (Women) - K. D. M. Wickramasinghe. P. I. Ratnayake, P. K. A. Leelani.
60 Shot Prone (Women) - P. I. Ratnayake, K. D. M. Wickremasinghe, P. K. A. Leelani.
YACHTING
Enterprice class - Lalin Jirasinha, W. P. K. Janaka.Board Sailing - IMCO Heavy, Thusal Gunawardena.
IMCO (light )
Lalin Lalendra.BILLIARDS & SNOOKER
K. H. Sirisoma, Susantha Boteju (Subject to the availability).KABADDI
H. L. Wasantha, M. L. Mendis, D. C. Prasad, T. L. Sanath Kumara, D. P. N. Weerasinghe, K. P. T. Thusara, G. A. M. L. Ematiyagoda, G. G. Samantha, S. M. Mangala Pushpakumara, K. S. Meegastenna.SQUASH
Saman Tilakaratne, Gihan Fernando.BADMINTON
Men - Thushara Edirisinghe.Women - Renu Chandrika Hettiarachchige.
BOXING
G. A. G. Perera (Super Heavy Weight class).GYMNASTICS
Prasad Sameera Ekanayake.TAEKWONDO - (Men)
C. Punchihewa (58-62 kg), H. R. K. Fernando (78-84 kg).SWIMMING
Diving - Gayan Ranatunge.
The Playground and Recreation Department of the Colombo Municipal Council has organised the Colombo Mayor's Cup Sports Festival on 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th November, 1998 at Sugathadasa Stadium under night light.
Sri Lanka Champions in Football, Volleyball, Netball, Wrestling, Body Building and Cricket will participate in this festival.
Football, volleyball, netball will be played at Sugathadasa Stadium under light.
Cricket will be at Municipal Nomads Playground.
Wrestling will be at YMCA Hall, Fort while Body Building is scheduled for Kollupitiya Stanley Janz Community Centre.
Action has been taken to furnish you the various stages of the Sports Festival From time to time. The Chief Invitee, for the Inaugural Festival to be held on 11th November 1998, at 5.00 p.m. and the Final Festival on 14th November, 1998 at 6.00 p.m. will be Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya, Mayor of Colombo.
The winners will receive Rs. 10,000 and the Mayors trophy while the runners up pick up Rs. 7500. In addition each player will receive a memento.
