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Thai king opens 13th Asian
Games Bangkok, Dec. 6 – World’s longest serving Monarch, King of Thailand, declared the open the 13th Asian Games at 8 p.m. by releasing a haul of pigeons. Thais’ sole Olympic gold medallist, boxer Somrak KAMsingh lighted the games torch. For the first time in the games history a referee took the oath. The opening ceremony began at 6.20 a.m. songs sung by children in English and Thai. A cast of over 1500 per termed with Asian martial arts which had a colourful demonstration while a Tuk-tuk pulled up the neatly wrapped huge card board boxes containing thousands of balloons and Games Mascot, the elephant. The theme of the opening ceremony was "Unite with out boundaries". Susantha failed Sri Lanka’s number one Snooker player Susantha Boteju suffered a major setback when he was defeated by Singapore’s number two, Bernard Tey Choon on the opening day of the 13th Asian Games snooker event.
Susantha who predicted he would win this encounter comfortably lived to his promise earlier in the match by winning the first two frames comfortably. The Singaporean who closely studied Susantha then dramatically fought back in the next five frames winning them in true professional style (5-2). Swimmers to plunge today Sri Lankan woman swimmer Radeesha Daluwatte (100m Free Style. — Heat 3), and Conrad Francis (100M Breast Stroke — Heat 3.) will be Lankan’s first two swimmers to take the plunge today. There will be a total of 21 competitors for Radeesha’s event while 24 battle it out in Conrad’s event. Lankan Gymnasts, Ruggerites, Rifle Shooters and the Taekwondo teams too will be in action today. Japan’s Naoko Takahashi won the gold medal for women’s marathon competition held yesterday at Thammasat University Main Stadium shattering the Asian Games record made by China’s Zhong Huandi during the Hiroshima Games four years ago. Takahashi made the new record finishing in 2.21.47 hours. The earlier record stood at 2.29.32 hours. Silver medal winner is Kim Chang form North Korea (2.34.55) was followed closely by Japanese Kai Tomoko (2.35.01). Thailand’s Sunisa Pechpongprai was in the sixth position. Drug and gender tests begin for Asian Games. Drug and gender verification tests for athletes competing in the 13th Asian Games are well underway. Sophisticated technology will ensure total accuracy, said a senior official. Dr. Varin Tansuphasiri, Deputy Chairman of the Medical and Health Services Sub-committee, said that physical tests check-ups for drugs and prohibited substances such as steroids as well as gender verification have been progressing on schedule. The doping test centre at Mahidol University set up for the 13th Asian Games has been certified by the International Olympic Council. Dr. Varin said, the center has received assistance from international experts assigned by the Oslo Institute, Barcelona, for close supervision. "We have this well-equipped center mainly due to strong government support," he pointed out. As to Medical Services during the Games the sub-committee has received full cooperation from a number of departments, including the Ministry of Public Health which provides support in terms of manpower and equipment. "Altogether we have about 2,500 people including physicians, medical assistance, paramedics and others along with 100 ambulances on standby to meet first-aid needs," he said. The ambulances have been assigned by numbers to meet the specific needs for each type of sport. Sports which are prone to accients and injuries such as rugby football and soccer will receive additional support. There are two ambulances st each of these stadiums with highway police to help in emergency cases. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand came to the rescue of the Sri Lankan Media personnel by obtaining the 15 Media passes for them to watch the games aground opening ceremony. The Thailand organizers at the eleventh hour informed the Sri Lankan Media that only 3 passes were available since they had over sold their tickets. "We have to give preference to spectators, who purchased the tickets," said a Lady official who was in charge of Press invitations. The Sri Lanka Ambassador Tilak Amunugama who was briefed about this by his coordinator M. Bandara, which is the first of its kind in the Asian Games history, immediately made a personal visit to meet the Lankan Media. He used his influence and managed to obtain 15 VIP passes to the Media to watch what is dubbed as ASIA’s best opening ceremony ever. A similar incident occurred at the 1995 SAF Games in Madras when the Indian authorities due to lack of coordination shut out the local press. The Media wanted to find out how this all important factor slipped out of the National Olympic Committee high ups who made several advance trips to discuss these finer points of the Games. Renown, Saunders clash in
final Renown SC defeated Navy Sea Hawks 1-0 yesterday in the first semifinal to book a berth in the final of the Bristol FA Cup at Sugathadasa Stadium. The game was a thrilling affair. Navy Sea Hawks who reached the semifinal stage after nearly two decades took full control of the game from the word go. They dominated the first half with nippy passes to baffle the Colombo Club. In the process sailors missed many as four scoring chances. At the half way mark both sides had a blank scorecard. After the turn over Renown SC who had the services of four National players played a different game. This too was not sufficient for them to get the ball into the net. Forty minutes of the second half too passed without any side scoring. At this stage Kryshantha Abeysekera booted the one and only goal in the game which took them to the final. Sunil Senaweera refereed. Saunders win A fluent unbeaten knock of 72 from Marvan Atapattu helped Singhalese Sports Club trounce Police SC by seven wickets with twenty overs to spare in their Division I Limited overs match at Maitland Place yesterday. Chasing a moderate score of 156 runs the hosts ultimately galloped home in scintillating style. Atapattu was also involved in two productive stands of 75 for the first wicket with co-opener Avishka Gunawardena (36) and 56 for the second wicket with Suresh Perera (36). Atapattu’s 72 which came off in 78 balls has spiced with eight fours, while Perera who was surprisingly sent in at No: 3 by skipper Ranatunga cracked a quickfire 36 off as many balls, and including three sixes and three boundaries. Opener Avishka Gunawardena also chipped in with a brisk 36 with seven fours. Earlier Police SC electing to bat first were shot out for only 159 on a perfect batting strip with N. Soyza top scoring with 37, while A. Priyantha made 32. For the hosts left arm paceman Ruchira Perera was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 46, with off spinner Sanjeewa Ranathunga claiming 2 for 20. CHIEF SCORES SSC 160/3 wkts in 27.4 overs. (Avishka Gunawardena 36, Suresh Perera 36, Marvan Atapattu 72 n.o., V. Ranaweera 2/46). (J.K) Matara Sports Club beat BRC by 91 runs in their Division I Limited over match at BRC grounds yesterday. SCORES Colts Cricket Club beat Antonians SC by a convincing margin of 248 runs in their Division I Limited Overs match at Havelock Park yesterday. CHIEF SCORES ANTONIANS SC 77 all out in 25.3 overs. (B. Ekanayake 21, D. Hettiarachchi 3/5, Ishara Amarasinghe 3/24, E. Upashantha 2/21). Crusaders SC gained a comfortable three wicket victory over Baduraliya CC in their Division III encounter concluded at Kalutara Sunday. BADURALIYA CC 203/9 in 43 overs (N. Edirimanne 42, R. Edirisinghe 46 n.o., H. Janath 27, Lal Jayasinghe 2/26, S. Silva 2/38, C. Dinesh 2/31) CRUSADERS SC 209/7 in 28.4 overs (Lal Jayasinghe 38, Sanath Payoe 32, J. Silva 33 n.o., R. Kannangara 2/48). Sri Lanka Air Force became champions in Group ‘D’ beating Mercantile Services Basketball Association in the Inter Association Basketball Tournament held at "Kings Court", Otter Aquatic Club and organised by Amateur Basketball Federation. Sri Lanka Air Force led Mercantile by 72 points to 55 points after leading 42 points to 17 points at lemons. Shantha 20, Basil 16, Krishantha 14, Pushpakumara 12, H. Chandra 10 scored for Airmen while Amath 18, Daluwatte 16, Radesh 10 and Ranil 8 made points for MSBA. Referees: Rizine Fuard & Sisira Fonseka. Other results Batticaloa beat Trincomalee 87 points to 84 points. Halftime 38 points to 36 points. BATTICALOA: Jude 20, T. Sivakumara 15, Shanthi 14, Vijitharan 12, Rajee 10. TRINCOMALEE: Irfan 18, David 15, Suresh 13, Wilbert 11, Fernando, Anselo, Uzaith & Ravikumara 10 each. Referee: Bernard Silva and Sujeewa Prasad. (BP) Whither — the Sri Lanka Veterans Athletic Association From time to time reports and articles have been published in the newspapers pertaining to the activities of the Sri Lanka Veterans Athletic Association. Regrettably, most of these reports have been of an adverse nature and uncomplimentary. As a Veteran athlete who was associated with the Association during the formative years, I am rather sad and disillusioned to read about the rather parlous state of affairs of the Sri Lanka Veterans Athletic Association. What has happened to the Veterans Association which was set up mainly due to the untiring efforts of the late Dr. H. P. Perera with lofty ideals and noble objectives? I remember how Humpy, Summa Navaratne and other reputed athletes of yesteryear envisaged what the Association should be and how during the formative period they zealously guided the activities of the Association. They wanted to ensure the ethical conduct of veterans athletes, to be an example to the younger athletes. Regrettably, over the years the Association has degenerated to be an ineffective organisation which is no longer interested in promoting veteran athletics and pursuing the objectives set out in the Constitution. This Association apparently is insidiously used by a few individuals who continue in office to promote their personal interests and ego. In the recent past apart from the wide publicity given to some veteran athletes performing well in some insignificant foreign meets, devoid of real competition, the reports of the activities of the Association and its administration have been adverse and distressing. These reports published in the newspapers included — (a) Veteran athletes using foreign championships to proceed on shopping sprees for their business activities. (b) Some athletes who proceeded abroad for participation at foreign meets, not participating and not even been available at the venue of the meet. (c) Veteran athletes arrested for smuggling and been convicted. (d) Two veteran athletes who went to Japan recently for the Veterans Asian Championships disappearing and not returning to the country. (e) In fighting and dissension among the members with founder members leaving the Association. (f) Suspension of the Association by the AAA for a prolonged period for maladministration and acting arbitrarily and in defiance of the Constitution. Regrettably, with the image of the Association tarnished and the unsatisfactory manner in which the affairs of the Association has been conducted has resulted in many senior and founder members leaving the Association. Some of them who have made a significant contribution to the Association during its formative years. Maladministration: The selection of Office Bearers at the last Annual General Meeting was conducted in the most arbitrary manner with the President vetoing some of the names and imposing on the membership his own choice. He also, to the annoyance of the general membership, vetoed the name of a reputed National athlete with an enviable record and who had done so much for the Association. Further the former Secretary whose contribution to the association has been appreciated and recognised and commended by the membership was excluded from the Committee. Foreign Competitions: While a large number of veteran athletes proceeded to Japan to participate in the Asian Veterans Championships in Japan recently and wide publicity was given prior to the departure, nothing has since been published as to how this large contingent fared. The only post competition reports have been of the two veteran athletes who disappeared in Japan. Two athletes failed to return to Sri Lanka after the Championships. In this context it is relevant to inquire from the President of the SLVAA: (1) On what basis were the selection for participation made? (2) Were there qualifying standards stipulated and these made known to the membership? (3) Were trials conducted or did the Association organise any meet? It is rather strange that while the Association is always anxious to send its members abroad for foreign meets, that no meaningful measures are adopted to promote Veteran Athletics in Sri Lanka. Should it not make a concerted effort to ensure the ethical conduct of the Veteran Athletes. In respect of the disappearance of two members in Japan, the conviction of its members for smuggling has brought the Association to disrepute. What action has the Association taken in respect of these cases? I feel the Ministry of Sports must set up a suitable body to carefully investigate applications from all sports bodies for participation in foreign competitions before approving such applications. It must carefully: (a) Ascertain the need for such participation and determine the level or standard of these foreign Championships. (b) Ascertain the composition of the team and the basis of selection. (c) Ensure that the best available have been selected. (d) Restrict the number of non-participating officials. (e) Determine the background of each competitor providing for adequate safeguards to ensure that they return to the country after the competition. Regrettably, foreign tours and foreign competitions have been the primary preoccupation and the bane of the Sri Lanka Veterans Athletic Association. It will be accepted by a large majority of the members of the SLVAA that everything is not well with the Association. As an athlete who was actively involved with the activities of the Association for over a decade and a half it grieves me to see the Association as an ineffective, inefficient sports body with its image tarnished. I feel it is time that the Sports Ministry and the Amateur Athletic Association carefully probe the activities of the SLVAA and put it on the right track, in the interest of Veteran Athletics and National Athletics. "Disgusted
Veteran Athlete" |
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