It's now up to you, Arjuna

AS declarations of intent go, Arjuna Ranatunga's was impressive. The newly-appointed chief of Sri Lanka Cricket, Wednesday, pledged to (1) uplift junior cricket, (2) provide the provinces with infrastructure and employment opportunities now available only in Colombo so that development filters down to the villages, (3) enlist past cricketers into the administration (4) rid the Board of corruption and (5) implement a plan of action to win the World Cup in 2011.

Time will tell

If all of those promises translate to reality, Sri Lanka cricket would, well, have arrived in nirvana. His is a script for perfection, really. The cynics, though, will say Ranatunga's recital is nothing new - they have heard it all before. And ask, "What else can new chiefs say anyway than to promise a better future. Only time will tell if Arjuna is as good as his word."

That might not be the kindest welcome message to give the new boss, but cynicism from some quarters is forgivable given that deeds of past SLC chiefs have been at spectacular variance with their promises. But that sort of conduct of indifference is not dissimilar to what is practiced more notoriously by our politicians, one of whom is Mr. Ranatunga himself. Mercifully though, he has also been a cricketer of considerable repute and one hopes the virtues of the sport would dictate his style of governance - not the machinations of politics.

Unique era

This much is certain though: Ranatunga's appointment promises to bring to the administration a unique era. A World Cup-winning captain as the head of a Board is unheard of. Heads of Cricket Boards the world over are virtually elected figureheads, with the business of running cricket left to the professionals, mostly past cricketers. That system didn't quite work in Sri Lanka, for reasons too well known to repeat. Suffice it to say; too many social climbers with loaded wallets got their paws on cricket, especially after 1996. Not surprisingly, the power struggles among them despoiled the good name of cricket - which is why government-appointed interim committees came into being in 1999.

In the eight years that followed, cricket has had five ICs and just two elected administrations, both under the stewardship of Thilanga Sumathipala, albeit his second term being one of proxy. That is another story. The first three ICs, under HNB honcho, Rienzie Wijetilleke, Ceylon Tobacco Director, Vijaya Malalasekera and Singer Chairman, Hemaka Amarasuriya, though government-appointed were apolitical, in that the nucleus of their administrations was past cricketers. But with time the government, seemingly, assumed proprietorship of the IC, and inevitably politicisation took over. None of the five members of Dharmadasa's initial committee, for instance, had a decent cricketing pedigree. In other words, they were all politicians' favourites.

Political control

As well, the assumption that the Cricket Board might as well be another government department was given further credence by pictures of the HE Mahinda Rajapaksa handing over Ranatunga his IC appointment letter. This is odd. Cricket administration after all is supposed to be free of government influence, and the head of state appointing a head of cricket is public admission that it controls cricket. Admittedly, it is not in ideal times we live - all the reason why endeavour to put right the wrongs ought to be made. 

Pay back time

It is no secret, however, that Ranatunga's appointment has a lot to do with the survival of the government and is a payback for his support to ensure the passage of the last budget. It will be recalled that Ranatunga, when the government was on safer ground, once even surrendered his ministerial job in his quest for job of IC head, but was rejected.

To his credit, it has to be said, despite the disappointments, his yearning for the job never waned,  which reflects a sense of honesty in the man's ambition. Fame cannot have been a reason for his persistent seeking of the job; what better fame than being leader of a World Cup team. If money was his concern, he would have made tons through advertising endorsements during his famous days as player/captain. He didn't. So, it is justifiable to assume that he wants the job out of good intentions.   

It might have been nicer had Ranatunga been popularly elected, as he should have on the strength of his credentials as one-time World Cup winning captain, no less. He did try, but was rejected. So, the door to office had to be opened for him by His Excellency, at a price, of course. The method of his appointment might be arguable, but few will dispute his qualifications for the job.

First in the world

Anyway, the man is at the helm, and as said before, a unique period in cricket administration is in the making. His appointment marks a departure. He is the first former Test cricket captain to head the Cricket Board in Sri Lanka, if not the world. You can expect, for once, the interest of the cricketer to be placed above all else. Concern for his players was an aspect that characterised his captaincy, examples of which are many. He has clashed more than once with authority in defence of his players. The altercations with Australian umpires over "no balling" Muralitharan is the more famous, but less remembered is his withdrawal from the national side in protest of the punishment-exclusion of his deputy, Aravinda de Silva, in early 90s.

He was not the sort to compromise on what he thought was best for cricket and cricketers - even if it meant parting with old friends and supporters. It was that defiant streak that led to his falling off with Sumapthipala, a passionate supporter of him at one time.

Maturity called for

But defiance alone doesn't necessarily a good administrator make - not half as much as tact and diplomacy does. One hopes the maturity that comes with age would have taught him discretion's  virtues, that defiance and persuasion are different weapons of use in administration's battlefields. Ranatunga knows his cricket inside-out; he can count on past cricketers for support; he is an internationally respected figure and the cricket world would listen when he speaks. He has everything going for him, and should he fail, he will have mostly himself to blame.

You have got what you so dearly wanted, so lead us now to our cricketing nirvana!

HNB badminton team sets two new records

The 25th Anniversary celebrations and the Annual Awards Nite of the Mercantile Badminton Association was held on December 20, 2007 at the Taj Samudra Hotel. Hatton National Bank was crowned as the Best Mercantile Firm in Badminton for 2007. This was due to two unbeatable records set by the HNB badminton team becoming the overall winners in the recently concluded Mercantile Individual, Open and inter firm Badminton team Championships. This is the first time in 25 years that an organisation has won both Mens and Womens 'A' Division championships at the Mercantile Badminton Tournament in the same year. 

Isipathanians clinch  double

Isipathanians clinched a double in the segment 'A' and 'B' under 12, 10-a-side Western Province Schools Rugby Championships held at St. Peter's College grounds in November 2007. In the Finals of the segment 'A' the Pathanians beat St. Peter's College, Bambalaitiya by 7 points (one goal) to 5 (a try) in a nail biting finish. Luqmaan Bucker scored the winning try for the Pathanians. In segment 'B' the Pathanians beat D.S. Senanyake by 35 points to nil in a one-sided contest.

More than 300 players from 18 schools took part in this final tournament for the year 2007, organised by the Western Province Schools Rugby Football Association (WPSRFA). The chief Guest was the president, WPSRFA Dr. K.A.D. Puniyadasa.

Western Province Schools U-12 rugby 'A' group Cup champs (Top pic)

(Seated L to R) - Rehan Rumesh, Harash Maduranga, Chatura Dilshan, Dilan Gallage (Capt), Waqqash Mowlana, Malintha Masacorala, Sasmitha Lakshan, Savish Heshan, Sanak Rathnayake (Standing L to R) - K.Wettasinghe (Coach), Visaka Rathnayaka, Sachintha Alwis, Omalka Gunarathna, Malidu Umash, Asitha Gayashan, Luqmaan Bucker, Gamini Sarathchandra (POG), D.P.U. Udayasiri (Adviser)

Western Province Schools U-12 rugby 'B' Group Cup champs

(Seated L to R ) - Tuan Shamil Oumar, Vipun Denuwan, Rajitha Lakshita, Randy Silva, M. Sithira Fernando (Capt), Nishan Zoysa, Dilan Davinda, Harith Bandara, Vishan Andrain

Standing L to R- K.Wettasinghe (Coach) Mohamed Parvesh, Brain Andrew, Nisal Deshaka, Hasitha Sidantha Mapitigama, Upulitha Pathum, Anjana Rashmika, Gamini Sarath- chandra (POG), D.P.U.Udayasiri (Advisor)

Billiards Inter Club 'C' Division results

Orient Beat Otters 3/2

Orient Beat Police 3/2

Orient beat YMCA 3/2

Orient Club enters the quarter finals.

Sri Lanka swipes South Asian Gold - (6 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze)

Sri Lanka beat India and Pakistan in the junior events of the RJV INT'L South Asian Yachting Regatta concluded last Sunday, to take three out of the three Gold Medals on offer at the event. The regatta was sailed on Bolgoda Lake from  December 27-29, with each team sailing six races against the other two teams for the three classes of boats sailed. These were, Optimist (children under 16, single-handed), Laser 4.7 (youth under 19, single-handed) and Enterprise (open, helm and crew). In the Optimist Class, Sri Lanka fielded two teams, I and II.

The Sri Lanka Optimist II Team, comprising Dimitri Goonewardena, Maleena Awn, Joshua Karpinski and Danielle Svendsen won all six of their races to take the gold. India took the silver, with Pakistan relegated to the bronze medal. Dimitri Goonewardena convincingly won Gold in the individual series to take the Senior Trophy in that event, too, with  12 year old Aitana Gunaratne winning Gold in  the Junior Trophy.

In the Laser 4.7 class, both Sri Lanka teams trumped the South Asian opposition with Team II winning the gold and Team I taking the silver. The winning team, comprising Indrajith Abeysena, Akshan Jirasinha, Nadine de Rosayro and Devin Goonewardena, won all four of their races to get an unassailable lead over Sri Lanka Team I, which included Sacha Gunaratne, Ishan Abeysekera, Viren Dias and Radheeka Jirasinha and went on to win the silver. The individual Laser 4.7 Trophy was won by Nadine de Rosayro (Sri Lanka), with Shazli Tahir (Pakistan) and Devin Goonewardena (Sri Lanka) taking silver and bronze.

In the larger Enterprise-class team racing event, however, Sri Lanka had to be content with Silver. The Pakistanis demonstrated their expertise by winning every one of the four races they sailed against India and Sri Lanka to take the Gold. Silver medallists Sri Lanka included the Navy Sailing Club's W. P. Janaka, J. Jayasooriya, Marambe, Bandara, Nishantha  and U. Bandara. In the individual event, Zahid Rauf (helm) with Rana Waqas (crew) won the gold, with W. P. Janaka (helm) and J. Jayasuriya (crew) taking the silver.

With the South Asian Yachting Regatta itself having been sailed from 27-29, Decemebr 30 (Sunday) saw a massive open fleet race being sailed at Bolgoda, with 56 participants from all the countries sailing a colourful fleet of GP14s, Lasers and Enterprises. With a spectacular 45 boats on the water, Asanka Goonewardena (helm) and D. Newton (crew) won the gold medal, sailing a British-made GP14 dinghy. The Silver was taken by Mohan Balasuriya crewed for by Gnanawardene, while the bronze went to the young South African sailor Graham Fraser carrying P. Kumara as crew.

Chief guest, Chairman, RJV INT'L,  Ricky Silva Wijesinghegave away the prizes.

Dynamic Kiran appointed advisor to the Ministry of Sports

Kiran Atapattu a popular businessmen is one who needs no introduction. He has todate won 20 top class business awards including eight Excellence awards, seven Entrepreneurship awards, five Export awards and also the Presidential Award.

Atapattu is the only businessmen in Sri Lanka to have won so many awards which without question proves his administrative and management skills. He has a proven track record for being dynamic, positive and also innovative.

Sports Minister, Gamini Lokuge who had been looking for a dynamic personality to get things moving smoothly in the Ministry of Sports has fittingly appointed Kiran Atapattu as an advisor to the Sports Ministry. His appointment has also been approved by the cabinet. With Atapattu around, one can be rest assured of the smooth functioning of the Sports Ministry.

Through the Week

Monday

Cricket

West Indies shock  South Africa

NEW West Indies captain was hailed for the thrilling win over South Africa by 129 runs against South Africa.  It was his career highlight and said it is a challenge for the young team to improve. Scores: West Indies 1st Innings 408 all out and 2nd Innings 175 all out.     South Africa 1st Innings 195 all out and 2nd innings 260 all out.

Tamil Union in luck's way

THE TAMIL Union Cricket & Athletic Club received a tremendous boost with a lucrative sponsorship package from ABC credit card Company limited. The package will cover the maintenance of sports and the media complex of Tamil Union cricket & athletic club.

Football

Wenger salutes Arsenal spirit

ARSENAL Manager Arsene Wenger, praised his players' character after they returned to the top of the Premier League table following 4-1 victory over Everton at Godison park in Liverpool. The London club will start 2008 two points ahead of the nearest rivals Manchester United at the summit.

Tennis

 Serbia make winning start

TOP seeds Serbia made a winning start to their Hopman Cup campaign as Novak Djokovic and Jelena Jankovic gave them as unassailable 2-0 lead over Taiwan.

Tuesday

Cricket

Arjuna, first Test player to head Sri Lanka Cricket

SRI LANKA's World cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga will become the  first Test cricketer to head the island's body of cricket the SLC as Jayantha Dharmadasa resigned to pave way for 'captain cool.' He was confirmed as the Chairman of the Interim Committee of SLC as from  January 1.

Sangakkara ranked LG ICC No. 1

KUMAR Sangakkara has returned to the top of LG ICC player ranking for Test batsman  for the second time in three weeks after Australia's Ricky Ponting and South Africa's Jacques Kallis suffered rare batting failures in the Melbourne and the Port Elizebeth Tests against India and West Indies respectively.

Tennis

Sharapova beats Chakvetadze

FORMER World number 1 Maria Sharapova defeated fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-0.7-6 (12-10) in an exhibition match played in Singapore.

Rugby

Sri Lanka awarded rugby scholarships in England

THE ENGLAND rugby union has offered scholarships for two Sri Lankan Rugby players in their county championships. The Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU President Nimal Lewke has said  that the offer gives two players a golden opportunity to build up for the future , but declined to say who are the two players would be until they are selected.

Football

Golden stars team Kandy Football Champs

GOLDEN stars team Kandy captained by T.S.K.Xavier received the Telecom Trophy after his team won the Kandy Association Football League by beating Kandy York 1-0 in the final played at the Bogambara Stadium.

Wednesday

Cricket

Pakistan say Australian tour is still on

PAKISTAN cricket chief has said on Monday that Australia's planned tour  starting in March 2008 is still on despite the turmoil unleashed by the assassination of Opposition Leader Benazir Bhutto.

Tennis

Sharapova, and Ivanovic say Women's game is clean

TENNIS stars Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic insisted that the women's game is clean as the women's elite players gear up for the first Grand Slam of the year in Australia.

India keeps Hopman Cup alive

SANIA Mirza helped India keep its Hopman Cup hopes alive winning both her matches to seal a 2-1 victory over host Australia in their group B tie.

Football

Under 19 all Island- Invitation Soccer tournament

THE GROUP of '80 of Hameed Al Husseine College, Colombo will mark 123 years of the College with an Under 19 all island invitation Soccer tournament from January 3-9 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Thursday

Cricket

"No one will dictate to me," Arjuna

ARJUNA Ranatunga assumed duties as the new Chairman of SLC Interim committee declared that nobody will be able to influence him to do anything .  He further said I am here to do the right things for cricket.

Symonds century puts Australia on top

 ANDREW Symonds scored an unbeaten 137 to rescue Australia from a shaky start as the hosts reached 376 for the loss of 7 wickets at stumps on day one in the second Test against India at the Sydney cricket ground. At one stage Australia were reeling at 134 for the loss of six wickets. Scores: Australia 1st Innings 378 for 7 wickets at close of play in 89 overs,  Samuels, Chanderpaul defy South African bowlers.

MARLON Samuels and Shivaranie Chanderpaul defied the South African bowlers as the West Indies recovered from the loss of three early wickets on the first day of the second Test against South Africa played in Newlands, Cape Town. Scores: West Indies 240 for 8 wickets at close of play in 89 overs.

Sanga first to reach three figures

MAS Holdings Kandurata team's skipper Sri Lankan Vice Captain Kumar Sangakkara made a hard fought elegant century helping his team beat the Lexmark Basnahira South team in their Inter Provincial  limited overs match worked off at the SSC grounds at Maitland Place.

Scores: Lexmark Basnahira south 271 for 7 wickets in 50 overs, MASS Holdings Kandurata 274 for 5 wickets in 48.2 overs.

E Wis Basnahira North down Lanka Bell Wayamba

E-WIS Basnahira North team completely outplayed by Lanka Bell Wayamba team by a margin of 100 runs in their Inter Provincial limited overs match worked off under lights  at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Scores: E-WIS Basnahira North 298 for 6 wickets in 50 overs

Lanka Bell Wayamba 198 all out in 43.1 overs.

Chess

Sampath Bank Chess champions

SAMPATH Bank with an excellent performance carried away the 'A' and 'B' division titles along with the 'B' division runner up title in the Mercantile Open Chess Championships conducted by the Mercantile Chess Association of Sri Lanka at the Activity Centre, Colombo 7.

Friday

Cricket

Laxman and Dravid in 175 run stand for the second wicket

V.V.S.LAXMAN led a spirited Indian counter attack with his third consecutive century at the Sydney Cricket ground. He with Dravid added 175 runs for the second wicket which may not help to Australia in equaling the 16th consecutive Test victory as on the second day or the second Test. Scores: Australia 1st Innings 463 all out in 112.3 overs, India 216 for 3 wickets at close in 62 overs

South Africa fights back against West Indies

WEST Indies vice captain  Dwayne Bravo took two wickets but could not  restrict hosts South Africa in scoring 218 for the loss of five wickets at the end of day two in the second Test played at Port Elizebeth in Cape Town. Scores: West Indies 1st Innings 243 all out in 92 overs, South Africa 218 for 5 wickets at close of play in 82 overs.

Tennis

Hewitt cruises into quarters

FORMER number one Lleyton Hewitt cruised into quarter finals of the Australian men's hard-court tennis championships beating Argentine's Jose Acasuco 6-2, 6-2 in the Adelaide International tennis tournament.

Sharapova cruises to straight sets win in Hong Kong

RUSSIAN golden girl and super star Maria Sharapova overpowered the young Caroline Wozniacki in Hong Kong with a easy 6-2, 6-2 victory in the opening game of the JB Group Classic.

Football

Zahira, Hameed Al Husseine through to Quarters

THE Hameed Al Husseine College organised all island invitation schools soccer tournament got under way with the host team coming up with a fine performance by outplaying D.S. Senanayake by 9 goals to 8 in the opening game played at the Sugathadasa Stadium sponsored by Dialog Telecom.

Boxing

South Korean fighter Choi Yo-Sam in coma

SOUTH Korean boxer Choi Yo-Sam was pronounced by a nine member panel led by a Neuro Surgeon that his brain is dead following a championship bout last week which he won.

Compiled by Sunil Thenabadu

Victoria Anniversary Trophy

 Qualifying Rounds  -  January 19

The Victoria Golf and Country Resort officially opened its doors to play in January 1999.  To coincide with this celebration of 10 years as the Region's best Golf Course & Golf Resort the team at Victoria have put together the Victoria Anniversary Trophy.

Qualifying Rounds for Sri Lanka held at Victoria start on Saturday  January19. The top 60 scores from the whole year will go ahead to the Finals in 2009.  Players may enter as often as they wish to increase the chances of qualifying for the event. The format is 18 holes stableford with full handicap applied.  Each qualifying round will have it's own prizes for top 3 scores in theNet Division and top Prize in the Gross Division.  There will also be Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive Competitions in all Qualifying rounds.

Each person qualifying for the Final will receive an Anniversary Shirt, Gift Pack and Anniversary hold all.  The Final's Gala Dinner after the Final will be hosted at the New Restaurant Facility and will be free to competitors.