Sports

Kandy should have it easy

Lokuge now wants an elected SLRFU – Why?

Not many tears are likely to be shed should the two-member Interim Committee for rugby, leave right away. Some critics might even say, “about time, too’’ – given the many controversies that the committee has been embroiled in since its appointment last February.

Interim Committees, of course, will never figure high in any popularity poll simply because, its members being Sport Ministry appointees, its decisions and actions will always evoke suspicions of ministerial influence. Criticism born of that suspicion, so, is to be expected. And, as for the validity of those criticism is, well, a trying exercise in separating the wheat from the chaff.

We don’t live in an ideal world, and so the job of the IC members does get pretty awkward at times. Well and good if IC members are allowed the independence the government proclaims they have. The reality, though, is a lot different, thanks to the ways of our politics and politicians.

A thankless job

Suffice it is to say that a job on the IC is not for those without thick hides – and so, in many ways it’s a thankless job. The inherent suspicion that an IC is under government influence is a fact its members have to live with – unless, of course, they are the sort who’d be willing to dump the job rather than compromise on principles (read: bow to government influence). It’s unlikely that men of such principles will want to be a part of an IC anyway.

For all the criticism that the two-man rugby IC has earned for many of its controversial decisions – most glaringly its silent support of the Sport Ministry’s choice of national captain as opposed to the national selectors’ nominee, critics need no prompting to accuse the two IC members, President Dr. Maiya Gunasekera and Secretary Kiran Atapattu, as having forsaken principles. And go on to claim that the duo have no moral right to stay in their jobs.

On that controversial captaincy choice of Pavithra Fernando, son of NOC president and Minister Lokuge’s buddy, over Dilanka Wijeskera, selectors’ nominee: Whether the two IC members genuinely believed that the Sport Ministry’s choice was the right one, or whether they didn’t, but preferred to not buck the Ministry and risk losing their jobs is something only they can answer. That, though, is quite another story.

We were on the subject of why, despite the many controversies the IC has been embroiled in, it yet enjoys immunity from dissolution. But dissolution is a decision that can be taken by only the Sport Minister, the IC’s creator. And for the Minister to disband a committee of his choice is a terribly embarrassing thing to do: it admits his poor sense of judgement, a lack any minister would rather conceal or con out from. The IC, so, was always going to ride out the many controversies it encountered.

Carry the can

Controversies, after all, are inspired by individual opinions, and the Sport Minister is never going to side with those that oppose his IC’s views. The IC, in turn, will carry the can for the Minister if need be – as it did when it went along with the Minister’s candidate for national captaincy and not the national selectors’. It’s all a nice, cosy and close relationship between the creator and his creation.

All of which make last week’s news that Sport Minister Gamini Lokuge wants the IC to prepare the ground for an AGM to elect the 2009 SLRFU office bearers a bolt out of the blue. Surely, there were better reasons earlier for the Minister to order for an AGM – like in March, when two IRB officials flew into Colombo specially to let the Minister know the world body doesn’t recognise any national union other than one comprising elected officials.  

Neither is it likely that the Minister’s order for an AGM is the outcome of the endless stream of controversies that the IC has been plagued with, nor was the AGM order prompted by the mockery the IC has made of the ongoing Clifford Cup Knockout tournament, from which, as you know, the Navy pulled out. The upshot: one quarterfinal of the prestigious event was a non-starter. As well, the Kandy SC v. Havelocks quarterfinal too was as good as a non-starter – unless you consider a 102/3 routing a contest.

A walkover and a one-sided match aren’t quite the best advertisement for what is thought to be rugby’s most prestigious event, and is indeed a sad commentary on the state of Sri Lanka rugby.   

Any controlling body is supposed to prevent its competitions from becoming farcical. But to say that Clifford Cup knockout’s descent to nonsense is the reason for Minister Lokuge’s order for an AGM would be a hasty conclusion. There have been graver acts of commission and omission by the IC administration to deserve its termination – like its unwillingness to conduct disciplinary inquiries into reported cases of on-field assaults and crowd invasions. In other words, no dramatic confrontation had happened to threaten the close and cosy relationship between the creator and his creation.

IC expanded

That Minister Lokuge should make his AGM order precisely at the time when the IC is to expand to a four-man body is strange – and arouses theories of conspiracy. DIG Hewage, an old boy of the president’s old school, reportedly is already on the job; Asanga Seneviratne is said to be other new member; his acceptance of the appointment is awaited until his return from the U.S. and England.

It defeats common sense: here is the Minister publicly declaring his intention to hand back the reins of rugby administration to elected officials while at the same time the numerical strength of the IC is being doubled. In this rather contradictory situation it is pertinent to ask if the original two-member hasn’t the powers to summon the AGM – after all, it is the de facto controlling body. As well, the summoning of an AGM is no big deal: issue notice to all members two weeks before the meeting, that’s all.

Presuming that it is not within the ambit of an IC to issue notice of an AGM, then, pray tell us why the Minister can’t do it himself– it was he who appointed the IC and so is obliged to disband it, and then have the AGM he seems to so dearly want in a hurry now. Rather he’s chosen a route that is pretty much like reaching for your nose via around the back of your head.

Politically more powerful

All of which raises the question if he is unhappy about including the two new IC appointees, probably because they would be politically more powerful than his two appointees. Or to say it another way: installing a national captain of his choice and like matters would become doubly difficult. Admittedly, this is only theory, not fact.

But it is more than a touch odd for a minister who defied IRB warning of the IC’s illegitimacy so that his appointed officials may remain in power should now want elected officials. It has to be said, though, the Minister has spoken before of his intentions to restore administration back in the hands of popularly elected officials.

In fact, at the time he appointed the two-man committee in February, he declared that it was for the purpose of laying the grounds for the 2009 AGM, which, if you remember, the resignations of previous president, DIG Lewke and his secretary, SSP Duke Hamid, left no one in authority to summon the AGM.

But the IC had more on its mind than just doing the required paper work for an AGM. It took on the time-consuming job of rewriting the constitution – the outcome of which little is known about yet. And raising accusation that claims for an amended constitution  is ruse to buy more time for the IC – an accusation that is answered by claims that the amended constitution is now before the Attorney General. And so the blundering life of the IC approaches a year.

The popular hope is that Minister Lokuge is as good as his word at least this time – and the 2009 AGM of the SLRFU will see the light of day. It’s time rugby came out of the dark times.

Young Lankan excels in ICC Tournament 

By Shanta Premawardhana in Switzerland 

Tarusha Fernando (15) a student at Gateway College, Colombo, gave an outstanding display of Sri Lankan style cricket excellence for the Swiss Under 15 team at the Sixth ICC European Under 15 Division Championship held in Bologna, Italy, from 16 – 20 August.

Eight countries, France, Switzerland, Italy, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Israel, Belgium and Germany participated in the tournament.  Having lived in Switzerland for the past two years and having proven his mettle in the Geneva turf, young Tarusha was invited to represent Switzerland.

Fernando got the Swiss team off to a flying start over Israel, racking up a stunning 58 which included 13 fours. The opening partnership with James Hadden had the two put up 48 runs in just 2.1 overs before Hadden was bowled for 5 runs. The Swiss team scored 290 for six in 35 overs. An all-rounder, Tarusha Fernando also captured two wickets for 27 runs in five overs in the same match.  Switzerland recorded a resounding win dismissing Israel for 110 runs in 25.3 overs.

Mansiha leads Sri Lanka’s first-ever Women’s Water Polo Team 

A young girl who had spent 11 years playing her favourite sport — water polo — has been rewarded for her hard work and commitment by being chosen to lead Sri Lanka’s first ever women’s national water polo team in an international competition.

Manisha Rajanayake is captaining the Sri Lanka team to the 1 lth Asia Pacific Water Polo Championships to be held in Hong Kong from August 28 to 31.

Nineteen-year old Manisha represents Otter Aquatc Club since leaving school. She developed an interest in water polo while studying at Ladies College and ended captaining the school team.

Referees Day on September  1 

By Hafiz Marikar 

Manilal Fernando, Senior Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation, has instructed the referees department of the Sri Lanka Football Federation, to organise their Referees Day on September 1 at the Football House and  Reid Avenue Grounds.

This year has been declared as the ‘referees year’ by the Asian Football Confederation  and celebrations are being held all over Asia. Today referees are the live wire of the game.

According to AFC and FIFA Referees Instructor Mushin Ariff, and local  Director of Referees  Y.M. Yapa Referees Day will have a full day’s programme, where there will be a referees game of football at Reid Avenue Grounds between Ex FIFA and Preset FIFA referees at 5 pm. There will be a Referees Quiz contest (Laws of the Game), and many  more activities, which will start from 9 a.m. onwards  under the patronage of Manilal Fernando.

Sanga takes Sri Lanka to a commanding position

Sri Lanka moved into a commanding position with an overall lead of 339 by stumps on the third day of the second cricket Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on Friday.

Skipper Kumar Sangakkara was unbeaten on 64 while Mahela Jayawardene was not out on 23 as Sri Lanka made 157 for 2 in their second innings before rain gave a premature end to the day's play.

Earlier Sri Lanka's spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath finished with three wickets apiece as New Zealand were bowled out for 234 in their first innings in response to Sri Lanka's 416.

It left the home team with a massive 182-run lead and in a strong position to secure their second series win in succession.  Dilshan then gave his side a steady if slow start to their second innings, but fell while attempting to hit Patel out of the attack.

Patel had started his spell with a tight maiden, but Dilshan slammed him for a straight boundary off the first ball of his fourth over and attempted another off the second delivery but instead lofted straight to Martin Guptill at long-on.

Paranavitana fell just before the tea interval, erroneously ruled caught behind by umpire Daryl Harper. The Sri Lankan batsman had attempted to sweep but replays showed no contact was made with the bat. Muralitharan and Herath had made short work of New Zealand's lower order in the morning session, bowling them out just inside the first session.

Muralitharan claimed the wickets of Brendon McCullum (18) and Iain O'Brien (four), while Herath snapped up Ross Taylor (81) and Jacob Oram (24) as the Black Caps - 159 for five overnight - folded up cheaply.

Sangakkara had pressed his spinners into immediate action on a dry pitch and had the Black Caps in trouble right from the start.

McCullum, who was dropped twice in an over from left-arm spinner Herath while on 13, had struggled to put bat to ball and eventually succumbed, presenting Mahela Jayawardene with his 150th Test catch.

Herath struck again almost immediately, snaring Taylor for the addition of only 11 runs to his overnight score. 

Taylor feathered an edge to wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene to depart for a battling innings with New Zealand still needing another 33 runs to avoid the follow-on at that stage. Oram and captain Vettori helped the Black Caps move past that immediate target with a 43-run stand for the eighth wicket, Oram hitting Muralitharan for two boundaries in one over to get his team over the line.

Sri Lanka 1st innings 416

New Zealand 1st innings: T.G. McIntosh lbw b Prasad 5, M.J. Guptill c Muralitharan b Thushara 35, D.R. Flynn c  Jayawardene b Thushara 13, L.R.P.L. Taylor c  Jayawardene b Herath 81, J.D Ryder c Paranavitana b Herath 23, J.S. Patel c  M. Jayawardene b Muralitharan 1, B.B. McCullum c M. Jayawardene b Muralitharan 18, J.D.P. Oram c Kapugedera b Herath 24, D.L Vettori c Kapugedera b Dilshan 23, I.E O'Brien lbw b Muralitharan 4, C.S. Martin not out 0.

Extras (lb 3, w 2, nb 2) 7

Total (all out; 77.4 overs; 363 mins) 234

Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-49, 3-63, 4-148, 5-149, 6-183, 7-183, 8-226, 9-234

Bowling: TM Dilshan 3-0-12-1, T Thushara 9-2-37-2, KTGD Prasad 6-0-41-1, HMRKB, Herath 34-11-70-3, M Muralitharan 25.4-2-71-3

Sri Lanka 2nd innings:  T.M. Dilshan c Guptill b Patel 33, N.T. Paranavitana c McCullum b Vettori 34, K.C. Sangakkara not out 64, M. Jayawardene not out 23. Extras (w 1, nb 2) 3.

Total (2 wickets; 45.2 overs) 157

Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-89, Bowling: D.L. Vettori 14-2-36-1, I.E. O'Brien 8-1-41-0, C.S. Martin 5-0-13-0, J.S. Patel 18.2-2-67-1

Goonewardena Brothers take sailing honours

The brothers Devin and Dimitri Goonewardena dominated the podium following the sailing of the Royal Colombo Yacht Club’s 2009 Club Oceanic Regatta in the seas off Trincomalee last weekend.

The fleet of 26 competing sail boats ranged from the diminutive single-sailed Optimist-class dinghies through the Laser class to the much larger triple-sailed GP-14s. Amidst winds gusting to more than 20 knots on Saturday morning, the event saw many boats capsizing and some suffering gear failure, keeping the Sri Lanka Navy divers who were on hand to provide rescue services, extremely busy.

The overall winners of the prestigious hand-crafted 1944 sterling silver trophy, after finishing first in all four races, were Devin Goonewardena (helm) and Sarith Pethiyagoda (crew) sailing a GP-14. Akshan Jirasinha and Sacha Gunaratne were runners up, while the Navy Sailing Club’s W.M.C. Marambe and A.S.P.K. Soyza finished third.

Meleena Awn, a student of Ladies’ College, won the Laser class, with the Navy’s T.T.B. Kodituwakku coming in second and Ishan Abeysekara finishing in third place. Dimitri Goonewardena (Stafford International School) went on to win in the Optimist class, with Kimberly Karpinski (Lyceum International) and Dinouk Goonewardena (Stafford) coming in second and third. The award for Best Novice went to Armand Flamer Caldera (Colombo International School).

Speaking after the event, the Royal Colombo Yacht Club’s Commodore, Lalin Jirasinghe, said that although the regatta was being sailed in Trincomalee after a lapse of five years, the advent of peace meant it could be sailed annually in future. Sponsorship and active involvement in the event by Club Oceanic played an immense role in the event’s success, highlighting Trincomalee as a much sought after water-sports venue.

Karting a necessity in Sri Lanka 

It is common knowledge that practically every international racing driver worth his or her salt got their career started in Go-Karts. These low-cost, 4-wheeled vehicles are in effect scaled-down versions of larger race cars and are generally accepted as being the stepping stone to almost any form of circuit racing.

Fans of contemporary motorsport will be familiar with World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s story – even after McLaren signed him to their driver development programme they funded his progress through the various ranks of European karting. Seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher was such an aficionado that after winning his fourth F1 drivers title in 2001, he returned to his karting roots in the off-season to take part in that year’s Karting World Championship, finishing in a very competitive third place behind winner and future F1 driver Vitantonio Liuzzi.

In addition to the relatively inexpensive nature of Go-Kart racing, this form of motorsport is also important in developing a racing driver’s skills. For younger drivers especially, karting offers valuable lessons that are essential for a career in top-flight motorsport – comfort at high speed, car control, carrying high speed through corners, fighting for track position with other drivers and not least of all, gives them valuable understanding of technical and engineering matters.

Despite the low-cost nature of this discipline and the relative ease with which karting facilities can be obtained or setup, Go-Karting in Sri Lanka is practically non-existent. In the past, competitive karting championships were held at venues ranging from the Taj Samudra Car Park, the BMICH Car Park, the Alcatraz Car Park in Battaramulla and other such locations.

These events were generally well received, saw healthy participation and launched many domestic racing careers. Yet, for various reasons, competitive karting all but died out in Sri Lanka. For a while one or two indoor venues in Colombo provided viable options for recreational and competitive go-karting but once those establishments closed down, karting enthusiasts were left with no options.

Within this backdrop there is an urgent need for the motorsports community in Sri Lanka to once again start promoting an entry-level karting championship or series. As in previous years, large car parks are more than sufficient to hold competitive events and there is no doubt that there will be enough participants if facilities and the appropriate equipment are made available.

Go-Karting is a sure-fire way of promoting motorsports at the grassroots level and healthy participation at entry-level motorsports events can only lead to a strong domestic racing scene as participants graduate to higher levels of motor racing.

Achieving that impossible dream

People say that certain dreams are impossible. But she was taught that ‘impossible’ is just a word in your head; she was taught to dream beyond her limitations of short stature.

Randika Cooray, 23 is the first athlete to represent Sri Lanka at the Fifth World Dwarf Games, held in Belfast Ireland, which concluded this month. Randika won the Bronze medal in the women’s 100m event bringing glory and honour to Sri Lanka. She also participated in the 60m event in which she was placed in the fourth place, alongside 200 participants from 15 countries.

Even though her main event was badminton she has been practising under a coach for several months preceding the event, she was beaten by UK rival before competing against US and Australia.

Randika represented the United Kingdom in the team events as she was the only Sri Lankan at the Games. She has also won several awards at the Four Nations Disabled Badminton Championships held in Liverpool in February 2009, and the National Dwarf Games held in Birmingham in May 2009.

Randika says that life has been a challenge from day one, but says that her family kept digging into her head that there was a special purpose for her limitation and that she needs to find it out herself.

Randika has a condition called Acondroplasia which causes abnormalities in cartilage formation hence hindering the normal growth of bone. This results in short stature.  ‘I had never been able to complete in any form of sports in school because of my height. But when  one day I happened to watch a programme on TV in the UK, on Dwarf Athletic Association, I thought to myself that I have to give it my best shot.’

 ‘Ruwanthi my second older sister, has always been my best pal. She was the one who’d cry with me, hold my hand and say, ‘I don’t understand your pain, but I will try to’. Rozaine, my older sister took a firmer stand with me when she said that I can live greater than my being if I believe and dream with all my heart. I was lucky to have got a balance of strengths from my family; an undying force of equality, understanding and love from my parents, one to hug and cry with and one to say, get up and get going’.

Randika is a past-pupil of Holy Family Convent Colombo 4. She says that her clique of friends and certain teachers made a great impact in her life. She says that the support of her close friends both in school and in the UK, was instrumental for her to feel accepted in society. Her friends say that having Randika as a friend made them realise that there is no difference between being tall or short; that what matters is the heart of the person within.

Today, Randika has a BA(Hons) in Special Educational Needs with Psychology at the University of East London and is currently working in a school as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

Randika said she is delighted to have represented Sri Lanka and to have won a medal at the Dwarf Games, a dream she thought would never come true.