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How come additional swimmers for Asian
Games ? The sports loving public question on what grounds the Sports Minister decided to include extra swimmers for the 13th Asian Games. They point out that these swimmers who were included through political influence would never make it to the finals. A leading swimming coach Tara Bolling, mother of Sri Lanka’s highest gold medal winning swimmer, Julian, said that representing Sri Lanka was now open only for the elite class and those who have close connections to VVIP’s", she said. She cited the non inclusion of H. E. Nishantha of Weeraketiya who came very close to the qualifying standard for the Asian Games. A former swimming administrator said that the NAASU was in a total mess and it was political influence that opened the doors for some swimmers to the Asian Games. Sri Lankan public know that they were representing the country but not on merit" he said. A national Sports Council official when contacted said this issue was beyond their purview. "We selected only one swimmer and was about to recommend Francis who was in Overseas training. But a mysterious hand has included additional swimmers and I do not wish to comment about it." He also disclosed that some of these swimmers have given false entry times. "According to the last Asian Games 6th place timings most of them are behind nearly by 6 to 8 seconds." An NAASU official when contacted said that it was fair to give young swimmers exposure and this was an ideal opportunity for them. "After all they are paying for their passage and they are not a financial burden to the country. I must also say that they all did well at the nationals" he said. Meanwhile the Athletic circles questioning the non inclusion of Sugath Tilakaratne’s coach Anura Bandara. The Sports Minister S. B. Dissanayake admitted he made a mistake by not including Damayanthi Dharsha’s personal coach Sunil Gunawardane for the Commonwealth Games, last August! A reserve athlete has not been included for the 4 x 400 metre womens relay while two reserves have been included for the womens 4 x 100 metre relay. B. G. Chandralatha was placed fourth in the relay trial. The cost for the Asian Games contingent will be Rs. 10 millon Sri Lanka Telecom has pumped in Rs.4 million while the balance Rs. 6 million will be borne by the government. The male athletes will be in the National dress while two cooks, too have been included in the local contingent. This is the first occasion that the Sports Ministry is spending such a huge amount for a foreign tour. Thushara and Chandrika best shuttlers Bartleet Group and Seylan Bank won the Men’s and Women’s ‘A’ Division Championship in the Dulux Mercantile Badminton Championship at the SLBA courts yesterday. Bartleet defeated Air Lanka 3-1 while Seylan Bank beat David Pieris Motors 2-0. Thushara Edirisinghe (Bartleet Group) and Chandrika de Silva (Seylan Bank) were adjudged as best shuttlers in the mens and womens categories. In the ‘B’ Division Air Lanka Catering Services won the men’s title while Hong Kong Bank carried away the Women’s title. CIC Paints manufacturers of Dulux sponsored the tournament. Lal de Mel (Managing Director CIC Paints Pvt. Ltd. was the chief guest and gave away the awards. Gamini Jayasuriya (President MBA) and Mrs. Eva Kodituwakku (Secretary MBA) too were present on the occasion. Results: A Division (Men) Winner : Bartleet Group), Runner up : Air Lanka Ltd. A Division (Women) Winner : Seylan Bank., Runner up : David Pieris Motors. B Division (Men) Winner : Air Lanka Catering Services. Runner up : Seylan Bank B Division Women Winner : Hongkong Bank, Runner up : Air Lanka. C Division (Men) Winner : Hongkong Bank, Runner up : Seylan Bank C Division (Women) Winner : Lanka Wall Tiles, Runner up : Taj Samudra Hotels D Division (Men) Winner : Reckitt and Colman, Runner up : United Tractors and Equipment. D Division (Women) Winner : Brown and Company Runner up : Technology Computer Systems. E Division (Men) Winner : Accurate Sports F Division (Men) Winner : CTC Eagle) Runner up : East West. The Selection trials to pick the Sri Lankan Netball pool for the 1999 September World Cup in New Zealand will be held on December 12 and 13 at Reid Avenue Sports Complex. All players who wish to seek selection should be present at 8 a.m. with a playing kit. (SOS) Indian and Pakistani shuttlers to play
here Eight shuttlers from India and Pakistan will participate at Nationalised Services Open Badminton Championship which will commence tomorrow at SLBA courts and finals are scheduled for December 7 at the same venue. The four Indian junior shuttlers are Thomas Kurian (Junior National Champion) and Chetan Anand together with junior national doubles champions Sanare Thomas and V. Dyn all four of them are in the National pool. Two Pakistani women shuttlers Zahila Alli ranked number four and Sanun Lodhi junior number two and men Asadulla Aleem Pakistan’s number two player and Asim Massood number three represent Pakistan. According to the Secretary SLBA Ajith Wijesinghe, all Sri Lankan ranked players are to play against Indian and Pakistani shuttlers. The events to be worked off are Men and Women’s Singles and Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Veteran Singles and Doubles. Commercial Bank sponsors the tournament. Sports Festival for Disabled Rajiv Wickramasinghe won the Best Archer’s award at the archery-event held for the Disabled sportsmen at Sugathadasa Stadium last week as part of Festival for the Disabled. Major Wickramasinghe (Ranaviru Sevana) also won the first place in the event for below knee amputates and physically disabled section. He represented the Ranaviru Sevana team which also won the title with 562 points. Commando Regiment was placed second and Sinha Regiment and third respectively. Meanwhile the eighth Sports Festival for Disabled will commence today (Dec. 2) at Sports Ministry Grounds, Reid Avenue. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will be the chief guest. Results: 1. W. M.
Jayatilakabanda (Ranaviru Sevana) Below knee amputees and physically
disabled. Best team: (Ranaviru
Sevana) (562 points) 2. Commando Regiment
(346 points) 3. Sinha Regiment (243
points) Soccer
passes suspended Maninal Fernando President of the Football Federation (FFSL) said that all players and referees passes would be completely suspended soon. He said that though the back of the ID card states that the owner of the pass has access to any venue, to witness a soccer watch, many organizers have complications. "When organisers arrange sitting arrangements they do not cater for these pass holders who come at the eleventh hour", he explained. Manilal said that this matter will be taken up at their next committee meeting and the new rule will be introduced. "The FFSL is not a charity organisation to issue tickets for every past player and referees to witness matches played with the intention of rasing funds. They (past players) should ask for their free tickets from the Soccer Veterans Association." The President however said that if players visit the FSL two or three days prior to a final they could be issued a free pass. He also was on the opinion that past players should contribute to the sport by purchasing tickets. "Even Arjuna Ranatunga will buy a ticket when he give up the sport", he said. Airing his view on the issue where former national coach Asoka Ravindra was refused entry he said Ravindra himself has to take stock for it. "We requested him to collect the pass but he never turned up. As for former national player Naina Mohamed he was as usual indisciplined and refused to go to the lower grand stand like the other national players," he said. Manilal, running the third term in office said that the Bristol Freedom Cup was a roaring success. We had a good profit, the stadium was full to capacity and spectators witnessed top soccer. Only disappointing factor was that India took our Freedom Cup", he added. Tennekoon brothers win Caltex cup The Tennakoon brothers powered by Avantha and Shehan underlined their supremacy on the Bolgoda Lake where they clinched the CALTEX annual Regetta last Sunday. The victorious duo got a very good start and never diverted from their course to cruise to victory. Anil and Michelle Gunawardane who gave a close fight to the Tennakoon pair finished second while sailors L. P. Gunatilleke and W. A. Upul were third. There was a keen tussle for the seventh place as well, where Jeremy Bolling together with Reshan Sevendsen and Joseph Kenney and M. Devinda finished joint seventh. In the under 14 Optimist Event, Guss Thijssen who manoeuvred his boat skilfully got to the top slot while Royalist Rehan Dias, son of former Olympic Sailor Ranil, was second. A very high standard of sailing was witnessed and a high number of participants was yet another plus point for the organisers Ceylon Motor Yacht club and Sponsors Lanka Lubricants Ltd. (LLL) who sponsored this event for the 38th year in succession. Peter Martin Managing Director LLL was the Chief Guest. The CALTEX has also agreed to put up road signs giving directions for the CMYC. Results CALTEX Cup — G. P. and Enterprise. 1) Avantha Tennakoon and Shehan
Tennakoon • Optimistic Race — (Under 14) 1) Guss Thijssen Kandy District Cricket Assn., to conduct
schools’ one-dayer Kandy District Cricket Association, are making arrangements to play an inter school limited over cricket tournament in memory of Yasarathne Tennakoon, who was an MMC, MP and adviser to the Prime Minister before his death. The President of Kandy District Cricket Association Thilina Tennakoon, a fine cricketer to come out of Dharmaraja College said that eight schools have agreed to play in this tournament, and they are hoping to play the finals on the 3rd of January, at the Asgiriya Stadium, with semi finals on 20th and 21st of December. The winners will be presented with a handsome trophy and Rs. 25,000, the runners up will receive Rs. 15,000. There will be special awards for best batsman, bowler, fielder and the man of the finals. The teams who will take part in this tournament, will be Dharmaraja, Kingswood, Trinity, St. Anthonys, Vidyartha, St. Sylvester’s, Sri Sumangala and Wickramabahu. Sri Rahula has not given the consent, may be due to school holidays. |
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