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Asian Games unfolds in Bangkok on Sunday
by Shirajiv SirimaneBangkok,the beautiful capital of Thailand will come alive when it hosts the 13th Asian Games on which the curtain opens on Sunday.An estimated 42 countries from the Asian region will be vying for honours at the games in a show of strength where there will be some 377 gold medals on offer.
Staged once in four years,the Asian Games originated way back in 1953 with India mooting the concept in bringing together mankind in the sports arena at this level.
This time,Sri lanka will make its presence felt very strongly with two of the best athletes in the Asian region,Sugath Tillakaratne and Susanthika Jayasinghe expected to dominate in their respective events.Both have shone at international level of late.So far in the Game’s history,Sri Lanka has annexed six gold medals.
Meanwhile, the Chef de Mission of the Sri Lankan contingent,Hemasiri fernando speaking to the ‘The Island’ said that the athletes would don the traditional national dress at the opening ceremony on Sunday.He noted that ‘their Commonwealth Games dress was not upto expectations.’
Meanwhile, there will be a rare first for Sri lanka in the field of officiating with the Secretary of the Wrestling federation,Sunil Nanayakkara earning the rare honour of being called to officiate in the Asiad as referee cum judge.It is understood that he has been handpicked from the Association of the Asian Wrestling Council.Incidentally,Sunil was also a judge at the Pakistan Quid-Al-Islam Championships and the 11th Asian Championships.
CID investigates Basketball Fed. statement of accounts
By Shirajiv SirimaneThe Criminal Investigation Department on a complaint made by the Colombo District Basketball Association has launched an inquiry on the statement of accounts of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation.
The complainants have alleged that the audited statement of accounts was not in order. It is alleged that a Rs. 10 000 collected by a former national coach has not been accounted for and the Coaches Association has not settled accounts amounting to Rs.17 000 while Referees Association has to settle a sum ofRs. 3000. It is also alleged that the no receipt has been forwarded to the Audit firm while RS. 40 000 had been paid in exccess to the Sugathadasa Stadium. Many counter foils too were not available for Audit on cheques issued by the Federation it is alleged.
A colombo district offcial when contacted said that they made yhis complaint to the CID after their representation to the Sports Ministry went unheard for nearly six months
The President of the Federation I. Kanagaratnam when contacted said that according to his knowledge there was no CID inquiry against them. "If there is a fraud, it is the Sports Ministry that has to conduct an investigation'' he said. " Why should the CID get involved when we are a NGO? '' He asked.
An official of the CID when contacted said that they had already recorded statements of two Basketball Federation officials in this regard.
''We hope to record statements of the Federation officials soon." He said.
Champaka makes a comeback
By Dhammika RatnaweeraSixteen clubs will take part in the inter club premier limited over cricket tournament which commences today (December 3).
This will be the major limited over tournament where National cricketers are expected to show their class before the Australian tour.
All leading clubs hope to play their best sides. CCC lead by Chaminda Handunettige will meet Galle CC in their home grounds. Galle CC will play under the new leadership of Champaka Ramanayake. Ramanayake back here after playing Lancashire League cricket tournament with opener bat Ruwin Pieris are the two key players of the Galle side. Varuna Waragoda former Tamil Union and Charinda Fernando off spriner from NCC too joined the Galle side.
The key game between SSC and Bloomfield is scheduled to be played at SSC grounds. SSC will have the services of Arjuna Ranatunga, Marvan Atapattu, Avishka Gunawardane, Mahela Jayawardane, Pramodya Wickramasinghe, Suresh Perera and Tilan Samaraweera. Bloomfield also have three top cricketers in Roshan Mahanama, Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumara Dharmasena who are expected to give a fight to SSC.
Two neighbouring clubs BRC and Colts CC will clash at BRC grounds. Indika de Saram will play for Colts in this game.
Ruwan Kalpage, Naveed Nawaz have joined NCC along with BRC’s leg spinner Suwanji Madanayake. They will meet Anthonians SC Wattala at NCC on their opening game.
National Cager C’ship
Thirty teams battle for honours
By Dhammika RatnaweeraThirty teams will battle it out at the Senior National Basketball Championship for "Lifebuoy Cup" conducted by Sri Lanka Basketball Federation which commences on December 5 at Depot Police Courts Bambalapitiya. The finals will be held on December 12.
Ignatius Kanakeratnam President SLBF said Unilever Ceylon Ltd sponsored both Junior and Senior Nationals since 1994 and hopes to continue till next year. However this year’s Junior National Championships will be held on January 16 as the examinations are on.
For the first time a record number of 30 teams have entered for the Senior Nationals. More than 280 million people play Basketball in the world. We must promote the game not only in town areas but also in rural areas said the president. Federation does lot of work to promote the game but we lack sponsors and support from the Sport Ministry.
Last September our Junior girls toured Japan for Asian Junior Cager Championships and were placed eighth above all SAF region countries. We hope to send a senior team for ABC championship in Japan next year.
We have assistance from 22 district associations including North and East.
In the Men’s section 19 teams are divided into four groups while 11 women teams are divided into two groups said B. L. H. Perera Vice President SLBF.
K. G. Somadasa the Senior Vice President SLBF said they have a well planned youth programme to promote the game and hope to hold promotional programmes.
Last year Ratnapura District Association won men’s and women’s titles.
Fuard Chanrigar Product Group Manager Unilevers Ceylon Ltd handed over the sponsorship to the President SLBF, I. T. Canagaratnam at the press briefing held at Taj Samudra Hotel on Tuesday. Chandigar said we have worked actively in two main areas to support the game establishing regional associations and encouraging their representation in tournaments and ensuring that rules and regulations of the game are understood and followed by all teams. By organizing competitive tournaments annually at national level and encouraging healthy competition, Unilevers expect to extend their sponsorship from next year too.
The teams:
Men Group ‘A’ — Batticaloa DBA, Kurunegala DBA, Hambantota DBA, Kandy DBA, SL Navy DBA.Group ‘B’ — Matara DBA, Puttalam DBA, Trincomalee DBA, Anuradhapura DBA, Gampaha DBA.
Group ‘C’ — Mercantile SBA, Galle DBA, Polonnaruwa DBA, SL Schools BA, SL Universities SA.
Group ‘D’ — SL Police BA, Colombo DBA, Ratnapura DBA, Kalutara DBA.
Women’s Group ‘A’ — Kandy DBA, Colombo DBA, SL Schools BA, Mercantile SBA, Polonnaruwa DBA, Kurunegala DBA.
Group ‘B’ — Galle DBA, Batticaloa DBA, SL Universities SA, Kegalle DBA, Matara DBA.
Soccer education programme launched
by Bernard PereraAn advanced Education Programme for Sri Lanka’s Soccer Administration referes, coaches and doctors involved with the sport commenced on Tuesday at the Galadari Hotel.
The programme which is conducted by foreign intructors was organised by Football Federation of Sri Lanka with sponsorship coming from Coca-Cola and Adidas Sports Goods manufacturers. Programme titled ‘FUTURO II’ is worldwide, introduced by world’s governing body FIFA with a view to promote the game by educating the officials involved.
At the inauguration of the programme the Chief Guest Dr. R. M. K. Ratnayake secretary to the Sports Ministry addressing the participants said earlier it was Sri Lanka’s sportsmen’s participation at international events was the main objective. But it has changed rapidly with the administration and training coming first which had helped Lanka’s sports arena.
He also thanked foreign instructors who have taken an interest in visiting Sri Lanka to part with their knowledge. Finally he thanked the sponsors and Football Federation for all arrangements done to make this event a success.
Hamza Misral who spoke on behalf of the instructors said that FIFA has conducted 136 programmes spanning 125 countries of which 85 in developed countries and the balance programmes in Asian Region and developing countries. He thanked the Sri Lanka’s governing body for making all necessary arrangements and requested all participants to take this opportunity to enhance their knowledge on the sport.
The programme is attended by 90 participants, 25 coaches, 25 referees, 20 administrators and 20 physios selected by the FFSL from all parts of the country after perusing their applications. The programme concludes on December 6.
Foreign intructors conducting the programme are Gurbah Singh (Singapore), head of the delegation George Joseph (Malaysia) Hamza Misral (Bahrain) and C. Singh (Malaysia. Also present on the inauguration ceremony were Jagath Pattiarachchi, Manager Marketing Development Pure Beverages Ltd and officials of the Football Federation.
Inter Assn. cager tourney from tomorrow
by Shirajiv SirimaneThe Inter Association Basketball tournament conducted by Amateur Basketball Federation (ABF) will commence from December 4 at Police Park.
A good number of 11 men’s teams and 4 women’s teams have entered the event.
A press conference in this regard was held at Otters AC and Malsiri Perera President of the ABF said that they formed the association not to grab power but to promote the sport. "We don’t wan’t to go abroad either, but we’ll bring down teams’, he said.
The participating teams are as follows:
Men’s Division
Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D
Police BA, Army BA, Batticaloa DBA, Air Force BA,
Colombo DBA, Gampaha DBA, Trincomalee DBA, Mercantile BA
Matara DBA, Puttalam DBA, Kalutara DBAWomen’s Division
Group A, Group B
Colombo DBA, Air Force BA,
Matara DBA , Army BA
Following are the first round fixtures:
04 Dec. Air Force vs Army Women
04 Dec. Army vs Gampaha Men
05 Dec. Police vs Colombo Men
05 Dec. Air Force vs Mercantile Men
06 Dec. Batticaloa vs Trincomalee Men
06 Dec. Colombo vs Matara Men
06 Dec. Gampaha vs Puttalam Men
06 Dec. Trincomalee vs Kalutara Men
07 Dec. Army vs Puttalam Men
07 Dec. Batticaloa vs Kalutara Men
07 Dec. Police vs Matara Men
07 Dec. Colombo vs Matara Women
The two finals of the championship is scheduled to be worked off on 8 December.Vice president ABF Francis D. Almeda said that new rules will be introduced at the event. "We will update these rules with our referees", he said
Ajith Shantha pedals to fame at Ratnapura
The Old Boys Association of St. Lukes College, Ratnapura, celebrated it’s 150th Anniversary 26th to 28th November and as a part of its celebration an Open Racing Cycle Race was held on 28th November (Saturday) which was a big success. Sixty three (63) top racing cyclists in the island faced the starter which the cyclists had to cover the seven (7) miles course, from Ratnapura town to the new town circuit covered with hilly, bends, downs and flat, 15 laps approximately 105 miles.
This race was sponsored by United Brewary Lanka Ltd., ‘Kings Lager’ under the UIC (Union Cycliste Internationale) conducted by the District Cycling Association in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka.
It was a big thrill from start to finish, the Riders were speedy averaging nearly 40 mph on the flat, downs at 60 mph. The teams consisting Sri Lanka Army two teams (2), Sri Lanka Air Force team, Sri Lanka Navy Team, A. J. Milton Katunayake, SC and with ‘Wagners’ SC.
The riders split in three bunches which P. L. Ajith Shantha of the Sri Lanka Army with Jude Priyantha of A. J. Milton SC, a former ‘Tour-de-Lanka’ winner along with C. P. Meemanage of Sri Lanka Army with Ranjith Priyantha from Waskaduwa took the lead from the fourth lap.
The highlights in the race was the participation of the veteran champion, A. M. Sumanaweera, with his son Krishantha Sumanaweera, school boy national champ and a coming up rider finishing with good performances. Another notable character was the sixty two years old M. A. M. Nazrulla an old boy of St. Luke’s College taking award for the most veteran in the meet.
In addition to the cash prizes, special cash prize of five thousand rupees (Rs. 5,000) was awarded for five sprints from the 10th to the 14th round. This cash prize was awarded by the Rama Agencies Ratnapura.
The winner who crossed the line in the sprint front of Rama Agencies each was awarded Rs. 1,000/- by Sunil Illeperuma.
The race was a big thrill, thousands sporting gestures gathered on the road side of the circuit, and in the finish to see the winners arrival.
Ajith Shantha of the Sri Lanka Army attached to the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Reigning number one Ranking at present in the National Pool, won the race covering four hours thirty minutes forty eight seconds (04-30-48) beating his closest rival M. Jude Priyantha a former ‘Tour-De-Lanka’ winner of A. J. Milton Sports Club Katunayake. These two riders indicated similar timing, while C. P. Meemanage of the Sri Lanka Army and Ranjith Priyantha of Sri Lanka Army, and P. Yasaratne of the Wagners SC finished fifth in the bunch the first three riders averaged over 23mph, which is excellent for this tough 105 miles course.
Only, 13 riders finished this tough course. Handsome cash prizes of Rs. 60,000/- were awarded among the winners 1st to 13th, along with certificates and trophies. No casualties were reported, except for some riders had given up due to technical errors in their mechines, and so some sheer exhausting. The race was a big success, and the crowd enjoying very much, as this type of race was seen in the recent past.
Results:
1. P. L. Ajith Shantha (Sri Lanka Army - SLEME) 04 hrs 30 mins 48 secs
2. M. Jude Priyantha (A. J. Milton Sports Club) 04 hrs 30 mins 48 secs
3. C. P. Meemanage (Wagners Sports Club) 04hrs 30 mins 51 secs
4. A. Ajith Priyantha de Silva (Wagners SC) 04 hrs 32 mins 02 secs
5. P. Yasaratna (Wagners Sports Club) 04 hrs 34 mins 03 secs
6. T. Wickramatilake (Wagners Sports Club) 04 hrs 34 mins 46 secs
7. Sumith Sanjeewa (Kalutara SC) 04 hrs 39 mins 04 secs
8. K. Nihal Jayaratne (Salaka Sports Club) 04 hrs 39 mins 50 secs
9. P. Sampath Sanjeewa (Negombo SC) 04 hrs 39 mins 22 secs
10. J. Wasantha Kumara (Wagners Sports Club) 04 hrs 43 mins 38 secs
11. J. Krishantha Sumanaweera (D. C. A. Ratnapura)
12. Hemantha Prasanna (Pannipitiya)
13. A. M. Sumanaweera (Ceylon Petroleum SC)Ratnapura ‘Rama Agency" Sprint Winners:
10th-Lap P. L. Ajith Shantha (S. L. A. SLEME)
11th-Lap Jude Priyantha (A. J. Milton SC)
12th-Lap C. P. Memanage (SL Army)
13th-Lap A. Ranjith Priyantha (Wagners SC)
14th-Lap P. L. Ajith Shantha (SL Army)
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