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Sri Lanka start on disappointing note Dec. 7 BANGKOK Sri Lanka's Seven-a-side-rugger team only have to blame themselves for losing two key matches against Chinese Taipei 12 (one goal one try) to 24 (4 goals.) and to Kazakhstan 17 (goal, two tries.) to 14 (two goals). They thus sent abegging a chance of entering the quarterfinals at the ASIAD Rugby competition here yesterday. In the third game, the Lankan's meekly surrendered to the might of the South Koreans. (29-00). The Lankan's were strongly tipped to win their game against Chinese Taipei They did live to their potential in the first few minutes of the match. Nalaka Weerakkody, Mohamed Jiffery and Indrajith Bandaranayake (Captain) sphere headed the Lankans to lead 12-nil in the opening stages. But, then they faltered Mustaf Mohamed, on his way to plant a try, slipped and fell and was forced out of play to the medical room. He was later treated for a shoulder injury and the doctors have ruled him fit. This unfortunate incident upset the smooth co-ordination and the speed of the team and they started to make too many costly mistakes. It started with Nalaka missing a conversion and Ibrahim not executing his passes to target. The Taipei team sensed a chance and slowly and surely made a dramatic come back to narrow the gap to 12-7 at the change over. Taipei came with an even better battle plan in the second half and never let the Lankan's get anywhere near their defence area. They planted three more goals while Sri Lankan's simply looked on. In the second match, Kazakhstan placed two early tries in the first two minutes of the game that went unconverted. After the change over Nilufer Ibrahim and Asanka Rodrigo touched down while N. Dissanayke added the extra points. But these were placed rather late in the second half. Lankan referee Y. C. Chang too refereed key matches. The teams coach Ana Saranapala and Chef De Mission of the team Dr. Maiya Gunasekera said that the players threw away a golden chance of victory. "However, our strength is in the 15-a side competition," both said. The only silver lining in this defeat is that this was Sri Lanka's best ever achievement against the Thais, surpassing the previous defeats of 30 points and over. The former Secretary of the National Olympic Committee too was a spectator of this match and said he spent his own money to Bangkok due to the love of sport. "I still love to cheer Sri Lanka," he said. Shooters fade away The Lankan shooters once again put out a pathetic performance in both the individual and team air rifle women qualifying championships of the ASIAD yesterday. The Commonwealth Games silver medalists Pushpamali Ramanayake and Mali Wickramsinghe along with P. K. A. Lalani were placed in the humiliating last place (14) yesterday with a total of 1146 points while India with 1152 points got to 8th place to qualify for the finals. In the individual championships. Pushpamali Ramanayake who had a score of 388 including a 99 out of 100 was 16th while Mali Wicramasighe (381) and P. K. A. Lalani (377) were placed 33rd and 39th respectively out of 43 competitors. Their coach Lucky Rajasinghe, on their way to the ASIAD told this correspondent that they would be aiming for a world record. "Why we failed at the Commonwealth Games last September was because the country wanted too much from us. But I have now geared them up for the ASIAD", he said. Others too failed Conrad Francis, despite clocking a personal best of 1:10.91, could not qualify for the second round of the 100m breast stroke while Radesha Daluwatte who was placed seventh (last) in her 100m free style heat too did not make it to the last eight. In the overall heats results list, Radeesha was in the 19th place (Out of 21.) while Conrad was 19th out of 24. S. Ekanayae in the gymnastic men's individual final was placed one before the last with 36,000 points. Lankan contingent takes centre stage at opening Undoubtedly the center of attraction at last Sunday's opening ceremony was the Sri Lankan contingent by its unique National dress for men and the women in the traditional Kandyan saree which largely attracted the Thai spectators and the VIP's. The Sri Lankan drummers and the Kandyan dancers, specially flown in by the National Olympic Committee, added to the glamour . This cultural aspect was infused by the NOC president who had been inspired by this idea by the Africans at the recent Commonwealth Games. It has to be questioned as to why the previous NOC officials who had witnessed many Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games had not come up with a bright and colourful idea of this nature. |
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