Sports

ICC recognition for dashing Dilshan

Prepare now for World Cup 

The Australians won the Champions Trophy in South Africa in the most emphatic fashion. It was a truly professional performance by the Aussies to peak out at the end of the tournament.

 The Black Caps gave a polished performance leading up to the finals but couldn’t overcome their mental awe of the Aussies yet again. The final in fact petered out to be a tame affair. Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting stood out for the Aussies whilst Mike Hussey did reach some form.

The Black Caps were never in the game and missed the efforts and motivating presence of Skipper Daniel Vettori. Recall how Daniel Vettori chipped in with the bat and also kept runs down when needed?

The 2011 World Cup could see the Sri Lankans do better as this will be held in the sub continent where the wickets suit our style of play. With Pakistan not included within the group the Bangladeshis get a crack at hosting some of the games but Sri Lanka would in all probability play their preliminary round games on home soil.

But, hold your horses the grouping that has been finalised has drawn us in the stronger band and home advantage may simply not be enough. Australia is grouped with Sri Lanka in the same band and seems on paper to go through to the next round. With Murali nursing niggling injuries and Sanath yet to reach consistency Sri Lanka certainly have worries. It may yet again boil down to Sanga and Mahela to steady the ship unless Dilshan curbs his impetuousness or comes steaming through in each game.

The younger players need to stand up and be counted. Kandamby, Kapugedara and even old timer Samaraweera should shoulder burdens. The front line bowlers should do an adequate job on the sub continent wickets and if the catching is up to scratch we should make it through.

 The World Cup does bring out the best in the teams and Sri Lanka should look sharp. To qualify into the second round in itself would require some form and preparations from now wouldn’t be out of place. The fielding needs sharpening and of course the batting needs to be consistent.

Trinity felicitates its first test captain

By Hafiz Marikar 

Trinity’s first test captain Kumar Sangakkara was felicitated by his school Trinity College, at a grand ceremony  which was  held at the  Asgiriya International  Stadium on Friday (9) morning.  It was a fitting  occasion  to  a great cricketing product of Trinity College.

Kumar Sangakkara, who became the first Test captain from Trinity and  Kandy, was received at the entrance to the historic Asgiriya Stadium, where he started his cricket, by the  Principal of Trinity College Brig.  Udaya  Ariyaratne. There was a large gathering of distinguished  people to greet this classy cricketer.

Kumar Sangakkara is one of the finest batsmen in the game, his run of success started during a home series against Bangladesh where he hammered two unbeaten double hundreds in Colombo and at Asgiriya.  Kumar followed it up with a superb contributions of 57 and 192 in  the second test against Australia at Horbat.

Kumar began his run feast with an epic 287 against South Africa in Colombo, since then he has never looked back and has  piled up a heap of runs to stamp his class as one of the finest batsmen.  As a stylish left hander he has delighted many fans around  the  world. 

Sacred ground

“It is indeed a great privilege for me to stand on this sacred ground of Trinity College, which has produced many sportsmen not only for College but for the country and to the world.  I am sure  Trinity College Stadium will produce thousands and thousands of world class sportsmen in the future. This is one of the rare occasions.  We have gathered here to welcome one of the greatest  cricketers  of Trinity – He is none other than the Sri Lanka Cricket Captain  Kumar Sangakkara,” said Trinity’s  sporting Principal, Brig. Udaya Ariyaratne speaking on the occasion.

“When Kumar was appointed as the Captain Sri Lanka Cricket at the beginning of the year,  our school cricket season was on, Trinity along with staff,  Cricket Foundation, Old Boys’ Associations, and well wishers planned to call upon Kumar and Murali to be the Chief Guests and Guests of Honour for the 50-overs match, Trinity Vs St. Anthony’s.  Why?

“This would have created world history.  I do not think so far, anywhere in the world that has produced a Captain and a Vice Captain for the country from the same province and from rival schools who play their Annual Big Match and to be present on the grounds of Captain’s alma-mater.  It would have been great history.  Unfortunately we missed it,” said Brig. Ariyaratne

“But today, Kumar is with us.  Now let me recollect little about  Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka Cricket Captain and above all, a great Trinitian. Kumar Sangakkara was born in 1977 at Matale to  Shema and  Kumari Sangakkara. 

Destined to reach the top

“He  joined Trinity College in 1983.  Throughout his time at Trinity, it was clear that Kumar was always destined to reach the top in whatever he did.  This is why it came as no surprise to those who have known him since he was a kid that he became the No. 1 Test Batsman in the World in 2008 - the first time that a Sri Lankan batsman had ever achieved this position. 

Even as a youngster Kumar had made his mark as a sportsman both at Trinity and in Sri Lanka.  When Kumar was only 10 years old, he became the National Junior Under 11 Badminton Champion.  He then took up Tennis and went on to become the National Junior Tennis Champion at the Under 10, Under 12 and Under 14 age groups.  Kumar also represented Trinity College table tennis team at the Junior levels.

Last batsman

“As you all know, today Kumar is the Captain of Sri Lanka’s Test, One day and Twenty 20 teams.  But, we are told by Kumar’s father that Kumar came to play cricket quite by chance. The Under 13 A-team was scheduled to play the Under 13 ‘B’ team in a home-and-home practice game and Kumar was a reserve in the ‘B’ team.  On the day of the match, the wicket keeper for the ‘B’ team did not show up and so Kumar was called in off the reserves bench to come and play as the wicket keeper for the ‘B’ team.  Since Kumar was new to the sport and originally put down as a reserve, he came into bat as the last man for the ‘B’ team.  But, when he eventually came in to bat, he scored 85 not out as the last man! And, Kumar’s wonderful batting display as the last man helped the ‘B’ team to defeat the ‘A’ team as well!

“From the next day, Kumar was promoted to the ‘A’-team and went on to play in all the tournament matches.  In fact, Kumar topped the Under 13 all-island batting averages that year and helped Trinity to go all the way into the finals of the Under 13 tournament. After that, cricket was the sport of choice for Kumar and the other sports quietly faded away.  Kumar is yet to confirm this, but we are told that Kumar gave up Tennis altogether after he was beaten by his sister!

“Next year, Kumar was chosen as the Captain of the Under 13 team. There was no stopping Kumar and he went onto represent and Captain the Trinity College Cricket teams at every age group - all the way up to 1st XI, which he captained in 1997. 

Kumar also won a Lion for his outstanding achievements on the Cricket Field and played his cricket as a schoolboy at this very stadium that we are gathered today. Kumar also represented the Sri Lanka Junior Cricket Teams while he was a student at Trinity.

“But, Kumar was not just a sportsman at Trinity.  He was also involved in every other facet of life at Trinity.  Kumar was in Carter Blues in the Junior School, Pilcher in the Middle School and Lamuel House in the Upper school and played a variety of sports for his house.  He took part in extra-curricular activities such as drama and debating as well.

“Kumar was a good student in the class room as well and won a prize at the Annual Prize Day almost every year.  At the A-levels in 1996, Kumar got the best results in the Arts Stream when he obtained 3 A’s and a C and qualified to enter the University.

He went on to become the Head Prefect and won the Ryde Gold Medal for the Best All-round Student in 1997.  Today, Kumar is the Number 1 Test batsman in the world at present (October 2009) and the Captain of the Sri Lanka Cricket team.”

When YC strode the rugby fields

By Hafiz Marikar 

Y. C. Chang’s contribution to rugby is immense. YC was one of the finest rugby players to emerge from Kandy. He started his education at Carey College and later crossed over to Trinity College, where he excelled in both rugby and studies.

He was keen to take up medicine, but had to end up with rugby. Chang said that the game has improved in recent times, but lamented that there was politics involved.

YC at Trinity excelled at junior level, but it was at Havelocks SC that he first played premier rugby. YC as he is fondly known later crossed over from Havelocks to the hills to take up planting.

Joined Kandy Sports Club

In 1964 after joining the Kandy Sports Club he polished his rugby playing with English planters, and was the first choice to the front row of the national side. He played for the country from 1964 to 1971, while representing Kandy SC, but sad to say he never got the opportunity of leading the country till he went back to Colombo.

From Kandy after he chucked up planting, he joined CH & FC in 1972, and that year he got the break to lead the country at the Hong Kong Asiad.

He was tipped to lead the country at the first ever Asiad in Sri Lanka in 1974, but was deprived of it because as the captain of  CH & FC he led the team out of the field before the final whistle, due to a referee’s error.  

Today players assault the referee and they are in the national squad. YC was one of the country’s finest ruggerites later becoming coach, referee and administrator.  It was under his presidency that clubs got sponsorships, and also he is the man who took the Clifford Cup knock out to Kandy, and promoted the game in Kandy.

YC perhaps devoted more time to the game of rugby than what he got back.  As a player he strived to achieve the highest level  through sheer hard work and dedication, before hanging up his boots in 1974. He had all the power to continue the game for another few years, but he was treated badly at that time.

He never played senior rugby for his school, but it was due to his dedication that he came up in the sport.

A top class player

During his playing days he weighed 165 pounds and was a fearless forward. He was one man who led from the front — rugby lovers flocked to see him when he played for Kandy SC. YC’s biggest rival was CH & FC’s Maurice Marrinon — both rugged players, sometimes they put the rules aside and went man to man.

YC represented the All Ceylon Barbarians at the age of 18, and played for the Park Club from 1961 to 1963. He was a member of the Clifford Cup winning team, which beat Dickoya MCC in the final, with a penalty coming in the last second of the game, where Kandy’s Ken de Joodt goaled it for Havelock’s SC who were led by Hubert Aloyisus.

After coming to Kandy, he gave his fullest backing, and started his career at Nittawela form 1964 and went on till 1972.  He led the side in 1967 and continued in the following year 1968 too. He was one of the live wires of the 1969 Denzil Kobbekaduwa’s Cup final team.

At that time Denzil was a Lieutenant and was on compulsory leave and played against his home town club. In 1970 when Denzil was called back to the Army by then Prime Minister late Sirimavo Bandaranaike, YC led the side in 1970.

YC represented the country in all the All Indian tournaments from 1963 to 1969.  He was the member of the first ever team which took part in the Rugby Asiad in 1970.

That year Sri Lanka known as Ceylon entered the semifinals. Some of his 1970 team mates at national level were Mike de Alwis, Sari de Silva, Ajith Abeyratne, Dr. Tony de Silva, Hadji Omar (Capt), Jeff Ratnam, Keith Paul, Indrajith Coomaraswamy to name a few.

Sri Lankan captaincy

In 1972 YC left Kandy SC, after giving up his planting job and joined the CH & FC where he was given the Sri Lanka captaincy after 10 long years. He was a member of the Sri Lanka side, who were outclassed by the London Welsh XV, which side was led by John Davies.  Sri Lanka played Blachheath from England in 1970, Bosuns 1969, Emus of Australia in 1972 and Paris University 1971.  In all these encounters YC was brilliant in his forward play.

He is one ruggerite who has played for Kandy SC and Up-Country, Havelocks, CH & FC, and Low Country and Sri Lanka, and led all the teams except Havelocks.  He led the Havies from the sidelines, where he later became president of the club.

It was he who brought the Clifford Cup tournament to Kandy, as the big boss of the SLRFU. He started by bringing all the teams to Kandy and they were housed at Hotel Suisse when Lesley de Zoysa was the manager, and it was a rugby carnival in Kandy for a week, from the quarters to the finals. 

As a president he gave his best, and he had some top talent with him in the committee like Dushy Samarasekara his Secretary, Malik Samarawickrema - Treasurer, Gamini Fernando, Lionel Almeida, Kishin Butani to name a few, who were real promoters of the game. It was this committee that began the R. Premadasa Trophy club and school knockout tournaments which became very popular. After R. Premadasa’s death this tournament was scrapped.

YC coached CH & FC in 1982, and helped N. Karunasena to win the Clifford Cup and CH remained unbeaten. As chairman of the Gymkhana Club he gave his best to help the club to come up.

As the President of SLRFU, he implemented a familiarisation and training scheme for the national pool, and helped teams to tour more countries. Before he introduced this, it was only the Asiad and a few teams that came here.  

It was under him that the first Sri Lanka under 20 team played in the 5th Pan Pacific Championship in Taiwan and under 15 team took part in the inter Collegiate tournament in the same country.

There was another tour to Wales and South East Asia. Coaches and referees got a break in the Cathay Pacific Sevens in Hong Kong. A keen follower of the game, much can be expected from him to boost the game.

Killy - a legend in the making 

By Sharm de Alwis 

He has seen more rugger matches than any given rugger ball and even now, though the battle cry of protagonists would tantamount to, “Come on chaps, let’s go in there and play hard like a bunch of girls,” Killy Pullendran is a frequent spectator wherever the game of rugby is played. Alan de Alwis used to be a close second in attendance but with the low standard of the game not being compatible with the high price of tickets, Alan prefers to watch the game gratis on TV.

Killy remembers when rugby was a run and pass game. The three-quarter line did not phase their attacks. Rather would they keep the moves alive with scissors, double scissors, dummies, loops and chip kicks and the end result invariably was a glorious try.

He had not seen Kavan of whom Noel Grataien had said, “I wonder at the marvel that rice and curry produced a Kavan Rambukwella.” But he remembers Didacus de Almeida, Abdul Majeed, the Patternot brothers, Maurice Anghie, Raja Sumanasekera, Maurice de Silva and his brother Len, Ken de Joodt, Lionel Almeida, Lorensz Pereira, Ronnie Schokman, Jeff and Dan Rutnam and Mohamed Azain of whom Bertie Dias had said “He can run backwards faster than most three run forward.”

He has seen the hunting flanker Angelo Wickramaratne combining with Michael Jayasekera in stupendous moves, Larry Schokman and Stanley Unamboowe who never gave a hospital pass to the winger.

Of the wingers he had seen have been Dharmasiri Madugalle, Maurice Fairweather, Summa Navaratnam, Basil Henricus and Ivan Diasz.

The play makers who stayed on in the move with a deft loop even after opening out the game have been Nimal Maralanda, Glen Van Langenberg, Mohan Sahayam, Irwine Howie, Ago Paiva, Frank Hubert, Ana Sarnapala and Lionel Almeida who played in every slot down the line from scrum-half to full-back.

It is a litany that should be recited by today’s players to psyche themselves every time they prepare for the fray.

Killy has a prodigious memory on rugger and he will tell you to the date and venue who did what; when who tackled Police full-back Charles Wijewardena to a standstill of dropped passes. But he can’t remember who captained his alma mater and even when he left school. It will be uncharitable to conclude that he thought of schooling as did the character in Pickwick Papers, “Whether it is worth going through so much for so little.”

As a Life Member of Havelocks who has waxed and waned with the giddy success and abysmal failure of the club’s fortunes, Killy is given to reminiscence and believes renaissance is round the corner.

His daily exercise to keep body, spirit and mind active is a three mile walk but, either he is given to rhetorical exaggeration or amnesia, he says his walk takes him 20 minutes. Even Sir Roger Bannister was helped by his pace maker Chris Chattaway to break the four minute mile in 1954 and athletes have not done much better since then.

So, you now have the chaff and the grain, the fact and the fiction. Sort it out yourself.

Dharshana Fernando for World Masters Games 

National Certification Coaching Programme (NCCP) certified badminton coach in Canada, entrepreneur and former Sri Lankan national player Dharshana Fernando will be participating at the 7th World Masters Games in Australia. The games began yesterday (10) and he will be representing Canada in the badminton singles event.

“I have put in lots of effort to this event. My training began over a year ago and I have trained physically, psychologically, technically as well as done tactical training. It’s tough to train all year around with other commitments but my passion for badminton has motivated me to continue what I am doing,” said Dharshana, a former national badminton champion.

World Masters Games is the world’s largest multi sport event and will be held in the capital of New South Wales, Sydney.

The event is held every four years. Over 29000 participants have registered in 28 sports for the 2009 games from 106 countries. Many of the sports competitions will be held at the 2000 Olympic Games venues, something that has not been the case at any of the previous six World Masters games.

Asked about Dharshana’s chances of winning a medal for Canada at the championships he said that all he can say is that he will be a very competitive participant at the event and that he hopes to do his best. He also takes pride in coaching his daughter Piumika Fernando to become a world champion at the age of 16 at the World Racketlon Championships which was held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 2007. Dharshana who is a reputed coach in Canada runs his own coaching school which is ‘Fernando’s Youth Badminton Academy’ and has been a player and a coach for over 30 years with international experience and training.

SLC Premier League Saracens  opener hammers 219 against CCC

Elegant opener Geeth Alwis hit a first class career best 219 from 259 deliveries inclusive of 27 boundaries to help Saracens SC reach 363 for 8 in their first innings on the opening day of their SLC Premier League cricket tournament match against CCC which commenced at Maitland Crescent yesterday. Saracens SC: 363 for 8 (G. Alwis 219, M. Randhika 69, S. Boralessa 3 for 72, S. Pathirana 3 for 48) v CCC

Chilaw bowled out for 236

Left arm seamer Nilanka Premaratne captured five wickets for 58 to help Ragama CC bowl out Chilaw Marians SC for 236 runs in their first innings on the opening day of their SLC Premier League cricket tournament match which commenced at Katunayake yesterday.  Chilaw Marians: 236 (G Perera 23, G Wijekoon 41, J Gunaratne 56, M Siriwardana 38, R. Perera 31, N Premaratne 5 for 58) Ragama CC: 81 for 2 (I. Daniel 39 n.o, L. Thirimanne 33)

SSC 309 for 6 against Colts

Middle order batsman Dimuth Karunaratne slammed an unbeaten 136 with 15 boundaries as SSC piled up a formidable 309 for 6 in their first innings on the opening day of their SLC Premier League cricket tournament match against Colts CC which commenced at Havelock Park yesterday.  SSC: 309 for 6 (D. Karunaratne 136 n.o, H. Fernando 31, K. Silva 80, L. Fernando 22, R. Perera 4 for 86) v Colts CC

Bloomfield amass 318

Dashing opener Dilshan Munaweera hammered a top score of 95 as Bloomfield piled up an impressive 318 runs in their first innings on the opening day of their SLC Premier League cricket tournament match against Moors SC which commenced at Braybrooke Place yesterday. Bloomfield: 318 (D. Munaweera 95, M. Gajanayake 26, C. Silva 62, K. Gangodawila 75,D. Lokuhettige 3 for 49, U. Chaturanga 2 for 91, I. Udayanga 3 for 33) Moors SC: 65 for 1 (S. Kalawitigoda 43 n.o)

Martros 2009 quadrangular athletic meet 

Maristonians Sports Association (MSA) is to host a Quadrangular Athletic championship, entitled Martros 2009, for the fourth consecutive year on October 17 at the Maris Stella College grounds Negombo, beginning at 9 am.

Promising athletes view this event as useful to measure their performances vis-à-vis their rivals. The four participating schools this year will be Maris Stella College Negombo, Trinity College Kandy, Royal College Colombo, and St. Benedict College Kotahena.

P.H.D. Waidyathilaka, Vice President Sri Lanka Athletic Association and IAAF International Technical Official, will be the chief guest. 

Praneeth Peiris the President of Maristonians Sports Association said that Martros has grown since its inaugural meet in 2006 and is recognised as a role model for other quadrangular athletic events. The three previous events were a tremendous success and have attracted increasing support and goodwill of all denominations with each passing year.

The uniqueness of this meet is that it features various track and field events from age under 11 to Under 19 and has obtained the participation of the Sri-Lanka AAA officials.

Arrangements have been made to stage the meet   in a carnival atmosphere with entertainment, food, drinks and fun. The print and electronic media will be in attendance to give live coverage. It promises to be a day well-spent.

Sports Round-up 

Corporal Silva - Most Outstanding

The Varatharasa Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) sportsman for 2008 went to Corporal Silva at the annual colours awards ceremony held at the Hotel Galadari in Colombo.

This ceremony is an annual feature in the SLAF sporting calendar which felicitates all its sportsmen and sportswomen who have brought credit and honour in the past year.

A total of 159 sportsmen and women in 19 sports disciplines were honoured at this ceremony in which 19 of them received the Golden Eagle award for the remarkable performance displayed.

Those who received the Golden Eagle award were Squadron Leader Dassanayake - Rowing (Male), Flight Lieutenant Kumara - Cricket (Male), Sergeant Chandrasiri - Shooter (Male), Sergeant Weerasinghe - Shooter (Female), Leading Air Craftman Karunarathna - Hockey (Male), Leading Air Craftman Sameer - Athlete (Male), Corporal Priyadarshani - Athlete (Female), Air Craftman Silva - Cycling (Male), Leading Air Craftman, Srikanth - Soccer (Male), Leading Air Craft Woman Nilushika - Netball (Female), Corporal Priyadarshana - Swimming (Male), Corporal Jayakodi - Swimming (Female), Sergeant Herath - Water Polo (Male), Corporal Pathirana - Water Polo (Female), Sergeant Jayarathne - Volleyball (Female), Air Craftman Bandara - Weight Lifting (Male), Corporal Silva - Beach Volleyball (Male), Corporal Hewage - Beach Volleyball (Female), Leading Aircraft Man Liyanage - Wrestling (Male).

The Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Chief Marshal, Roshan Goonetilake, Members of the Board of Management and several other senior ranking officers were present at the ceremony.

International Schools Athletic Meet 

Lyceum International School Nugegoda, will organise the 10th annual Inter-International schools Athletic Championships from February 19 to 21, 2010 at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The Inter-International Schools Athletic Championships is the most important co-curricular event in the schools calendar of all international schools in the country.  

The meet will be worked off from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day under international rules and regulations including electronic timing and measurements under qualified Athletic Association Technical Officers.

Over 3,500 athletes from 21 international schools (boys and girls) from eight age categories are expected to compete at this event while over 350 qualified technical officers would conduct the competitions under the rules of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka.

Royal clinch Dr. Hayman Trophy

Undisputed waterpolo champions Royal College made it five-in-a-row when they retained the Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy while defeating their traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia with the aggregate score of 15 goals to 11 in their annual encounter worked off at the Sugathadasa Stadium Pool.

In the first ‘leg’ Royal had the better of S. Thomas’ College in a close encounter 8-7.  Royal who were trailing 3-6 at the end of the 3rd-quarter came back magnificently to win the match at 8-7.

The main scorers for Royal were Harshaka Nissanga 3 goals, Poorna Kankanige 2 and Shehan Dasanayake, skipper Yahan Samarajeeva, Musharaf chipped in with one goal each. For the Thomians skipper Darith de Silva scored 3, Chanuka Perera 2, Norwich Paranawithana and Savith Warnapura scored one each.

The second ‘leg’ score ended with Royal 7 goals and S. Thomas’ 4 goals. For Royal Shehan Dasanayake (2), Althaf Yaqoob (2), Wasim Marikkabawa (2), Musharaf Uvais (1) were the scorers.  For the Thomians skipper Darith de Silva played a fine game to score 3 goals while Jaliya Goonethileke scored one. In the final tally, the Royalists clinched the Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy for the 5th consecutive year with 15 goals to 11.

Cycling pool picked for SAF Games 

Two pools for training - men and women were picked by the National Selection Committee for cycling in preparation for the South Asian Games to be held in Bangladesh in January next year.

The National Selection Committee that picked the cyclists comprised P. Anthony Symons (Chairman), L.H. Sarath, Lesley Rupasinghe, Anton Alexander and Surendra Rajendra.

The selection to the pool were done according to the past performances and the time trial (40 km Individual time trail) held recently.

The men’s pool comprise of Meemanage Perera (Army), Suwaris Premachandra (DMCC), Luxman Wijeratne (Army), Isuru Prabath (Ports Authority), Nihal Silva (Navy), Nandana Wijetunge (Ports Authority), Sudeera Nilanga (Police), Janaka Hemantha Kumara (Navy), Dane Nugera (Air Force), Asanka Pradeep (Army), Jeewan Jayasinghe (Air Force), Wasantha Harischandra (Army).

The women’s pool will include Lasanthi Gunathilaka (Sama CC), W.K. Pushparani (Army), Niluka Shamali (Sama CC), Dilukshi Sumanaweera (WWCC), Ayesha Sumanaweera (WWCC), Niroshini Perera (Super Wheel CC).

NTB International Golf

The second annual Nations Trust Bank All-Island Texas Scrabble Invitational Team Golf Championship 2009 in association with the Nations Trust American Express will be worked off at the Victoria golf course at Rajawella next Saturday - October 17.

This golf championship which is organised by the Victoria Golf and Country Resort will be off to a shot gun start at 9 a.m. The Hazards led by Romesh Abhayaratne with a total nett score of 53 won the inaugural championship last year. The Kandyans led by Sam Gunaratne with a total nett score of 58 finished runner up.

In third place was the Dreamers led by Ali Jafferjee with a nett score of 58 after a count back. This golf championship is open to all golfers with a recognised handicap and the teams comprises of four players both ladies and gentlemen.

The teams may be made up of Corporate Clubs or other individual players. The handicap of the teams will be decided upon with the total aggregate divided by 8 which will be the team handicap. A large number of teams are expected to participate in this team golf championship which was a roaring success last year.

Rooney vs Ronaldo: unforgiven! 

Wayne Rooney regards Cristiano Ronaldo as the number one player on the planet but does not want to see him in South Africa.

Although the pair have long since kissed and made up, Ronaldo’s infamous wink as Rooney saw red in Gelsenkirchen remains one of the abiding memories of Germany 2006.

Rooney insists he did not mean to stamp on Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho. But the incident left England to complete the quarter-final with only 10 men, the effort to reach the final whistle counting for nothing as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men lost on penalties.

Three years on, a much less abrasive 23-year-old will take on the Ukraine on Saturday knowing England’s place in South Africa is secure.

The same cannot be said of Ronaldo, who is battling to be fit for a double-header with Hungary and Malta which, even if they are successful, could end with arguably the world’s number one player missing out on an appearance on the greatest stage, just as Rooney did when England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

“It would be nice to see Portugal not there because they have knocked us out of the last two tournaments,” reflected Rooney.

“Obviously when we didn’t qualify for Euro 2008, we got a lot of stick. You have banter with your team-mates.

“But it’s important not to go too far because it is an important issue and, to be honest, I am not too bothered whether they are there or not.”

It is to Rooney’s credit there is no malice behind his words, just a professional attitude and the prospect of having a bit of fun at Ronaldo’s expense.

In fact, just because the Portugal superstar has left for Real Madrid, Rooney has not changed his opinion that Ronaldo is the world’s number one, even defending his old team-mate against the accusation that he did not care enough about the team - a trait which led to Ferguson playing the England star out of position.

“It is clear for everyone,” said Rooney. “Ronaldo is definitely the best player. He scores goals and I have watched his first few games for Madrid and he seems to have improved again. He is even passing the ball a lot more!”

“At United, people said he didn’t run back. But look at what he did going forward.”

“As a team we realised that if he was as good as that going forward, we had to make up for it by going back. That is what happened and we were very successful, so you can’t argue.”

Maybe Ronaldo does not deserve such warm words given the stigma of his wink will never quite go away, on English shores at any rate.

Yet the winger has also left a template for Rooney to follow.

There was a time when the Merseysider was rated the better of the two. Then Ronaldo streaked clear.

Now the gap is closing, with Rooney’s position at the head of the World Cup goal scoring charts in Europe the tangible proof.

“I hope I can take my game to the next level as well,” he said.

“Physically, Ronaldo improved a lot over the last three years. He worked hard in the gym and got a lot tougher.”

“I am still trying to improve most areas of my game, especially my link-up play, goal scoring and heading. I should score more often with my head.”

Rooney has been around for so long it is easy to forget he is still not quite 24. He has a World Cup campaign behind him, as well as that explosive contribution he made to Euro 2004.

On both occasions, those dreaded broken metatarsals undermined him, breaking one in Portugal and struggling to recover from one before Germany.

This time round he is hoping for good fortune on the fitness front because finally, under Fabio Capello, he has found someone prepared to trust him in the role which suits him the most, constantly changing positions with Steven Gerrard.

“It is the perfect role for me and it is working really well,” he said. “I just hope this time I can stay fit and do all the training beforehand. That will make a big difference.”

“Football is different for me now. I think about the game a lot more. At 16 there is no fear whatsoever - you just play and enjoy it. But the more games (you play) you wonder about what is going to happen if you win or lose.”

ESPNSTAR Sports News

De Saram completes 10,000 runs   

Middle order batsman Indika de Saram completed ten thousand first class runs as Ragama CC took first innings points over Chilaw Marians SC on the second day of their SLC Premier League cricket tournament match continued at Katunayake yesterday.  

Chief scores: At Katunayake Chilaw Marians SC: 236 and 131 for 2 Ragama CC: 297

At Havelock Park SSC: 372.  Colts CC: 250 for 5

At Braybrooke Place Bloomfield: 318 and 115 for 6 Moors SC: 215

At Maitland Place NCC: 458 for 8 decl

Army SC: 116 and 19 for 1  

At Maitland Crescent Saracens SC: 445  CCC: 185 for 3

At P. Saravanamuttu Oval Baduraliya CC: 238 and 140 for 7

Tamil Union: 251

School cricket  

High scoring draw 

Opener Angelo Emmanuel hit a top score of 96 to help St. Peter’s College pile up 321 for 8 and force a draw to their inter school cricket encounter against Mahanama MV concluded at Bambalapitiya yesterday. 

Mahanama MV: 362

St. Peter’s: 321 for 8 (A. Emmanuel 96, D. Perera 77, S. Kumara 50 n.o, D. Muller 27, R. Welikannage 3 for 48, W. Faward 2 for 74)

Joes take honours 

All rounder Chaturanga Kumara hammered an unbeaten century and Supethaka Jayatilleke claimed a six wicket haul as St. Joseph’s College took major honours in their inter school cricket encounter against D. S. Senanayake College which ended in a draw at Darley Road yesterday.  

St. Joseph’s: 332 for 9 decl (C. Kumara 100 n.o, R. Tatil 61, S. Jayatilleke 37, M. Munasinghe 5 for 93)

D. S. Senanayake: 134 for 8 (S. Jayatilleke 6 for 48)

Owen plays down United comment 

Manchester United striker Michael Owen is playing down his comments about being at the biggest club in the world.

Earlier this week the former Liverpool player praised the input of manager Sir Alex Ferguson, adding life at Old Trafford was “everything you would expect of a top team, probably the biggest club in the world”.

The manner of Owen’s departure from Anfield to Real Madrid in 2004 is still a contentious one for fans, who have never forgiven the former youth team star for threatening to run down the final year of his contract and leave for nothing.

Owen has since been back to Anfield with Newcastle after a one-year stay in Spain but the reaction to his visit with Liverpool’s arch-rivals on October 25 is likely to be the most vitriolic yet - especially after his recent comments.

“I didn’t set out to offend anyone,” explained the 29-year-old.

“What I said was, in terms of support, revenue and stadium, Man United are probably the biggest in the world but Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are up there with them in other areas.

“In saying that, I’m sure things I’ve said at different times over the last 20 years will be dredged up and turned into back-page stories over the next two weeks.

“I’ve been back before with Newcastle a couple of times, so I’ve played there for an opposing team, but I’m certainly looking forward to this game. “It will be different, it’ll be a bit noisier.”

Owen has yet to be on the winning side against his former club but knows, playing for United, that could change this season.

“As usual between United and Liverpool, it’ll be a competitive game between two of the world’s top teams,” he added.

“The teams are more equally matched perhaps than when I went back with Newcastle, so it should be a good game and an exciting day.”

With Liverpool already having lost three Barclays Premier League matches this season, Owen is well aware the damage a United victory at Anfield could do to Rafael Benitez’s side. But, with United having lost at Burnley - a match Owen played in - early in the season, the England striker is wary of slipping up.

“It’s still early in the season but you don’t want to lose too many games or drop too many points at this stage,” he said.

“All the teams seem quite tightly packed together (at the top), so it’s still all to play for.”

Owen is still hoping his form for United, providing he stays fit, will get him back into the national team.

His last England appearance came as a substitute in a friendly against France in March 2008 but injuries and a drop in form resulted in him being left out of Fabio Capello’s squads since.

But, with 40 goals in his international career, Owen believes he can still do a job.

“I’ve always been optimistic. I will always score goals and I have got the record to show that,” he said.

ESPNSTAR Sports News

NBA serious about London match 

The NBA could play a regular-season game in London as early as next season.  NBA commissioner David Stern has reiterated his intention to bring a game to the O2 Arena in the next two years, and refused to rule out making the move as early as next year.

“We’re running out of runway a little bit but we still hope to do it,” Stern said ahead of Tuesday’s pre-season clash between Luol Deng’s Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz at the O2.

Asked specifically if 2010 was a possibility for the game, he added: “Impossible is nothing. Who knows? We have not set the schedule yet for 2010 so we’ll see.”

The NBA are keen to be at the forefront of the growth of basketball globally. The game now ranks as the second most popular international team sport behind football but it has traditionally lagged in Britain compared to mainland Europe, where there is a large following.

Friday’s game was the NBA’s third pre-season game at the O2 in as many years as the league attempt to redress that balance.

That move is in turn boosting interest in the Great Britain national team, for whom Deng stars.

ESPNSTAR Sports News

Serena crashes out in China 

Second seed Serena Williams was knocked out of the China Open in the third round by Nadia Petrova amid a dramatic finish.

The Russian broke serve twice to win the first set 6-4, but a solitary break saw Williams take the second and extend the match into a final set.

That went to a tie-break in which Petrova quickly roared into a 5-0 lead, but Williams recovered - only for a disputed line call to end her hopes.

Facing match point at 6-5 down, Williams’ cross-court shot was wrongly called out. An overrule from the chair umpire saw the point replayed, but Petrova clinically won it to close out a 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-5) win.

Twelfth seed Agnieszka Radwanska trailed Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-4 4-0 before a stirring comeback saw her battle to a 4-6 6-4 6-2 win in two hours 17 minutes. The Pole will next face Russian fourth seed Elena Dementieva, who beat home hope Na Li.

Russia’s Vera Zvonareva dropped serve late in the second set but recovered to beat Flavia Pennetta 6-3 5-7 7-5 as the Italian underwent treatment for a back problem, and will take on France’s Marion Bartoli, seeded 14th, who hammered Chinese wild card Shuai Zhang 6-1 6-4.

In the men’s event, top seed Rafael Nadal was pushed all the way by American James Blake.

A late break saw the Spaniard take the first set 7-5 and, after dropping the second on a tie-break, a single break was enough to see him wrap up the decider 6-3 and set up a clash with Marat Safin.

In the final match of the day, sixth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling eased past Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-3 in one hour and 20 minutes. 

ESPNSTAR Sports News

Raikkonen: ‘Japan was better’ 

Despite Ferrari’s decision to halt development on their 2009 F60, Kimi Raikkonen feels the team took a step forward at last Sunday’s Japanese GP.

Ferrari and Raikkonen suffered a dismal start to the season, the Italian marque’s worst in 20 years, which meant both the team and the driver were soon out of the race for the World titles. A fight back mid-season, though, ensured some pride was salvaged with Raikkonen clinching four successive podiums, including the race win at the Belgian GP.

But with Ferrari halting development on the F60 to concentrate on next year’s car, Raikkonen’s form suffered in Singapore before he bounced back last weekend in Japan to claim fourth place, the “best result” Ferrari could’ve achieved.

With just two races left on this year’s calendar, Ferrari lead McLaren by two points in the race for third while Raikkonen is fifth in the Drivers’ Championship, 6.5 points behind Mark Webber and two ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

ESPNSTAR F1 News