THE withdrawal of IRB recognition from the Singer/Srilankan Airlines International Sevens is perplexing. Three years ago, the world body, as an initiative aimed at developing Asian rugby, accorded official recognition to the then five-year old local event. Billed as the Asian Region IRB Satellite tournament, it was to be the first of an intended series.

It was a noble undertaking and, dare I say, a significant step towards altering the popular perception that the IRB is an exclusive big boys club, meaning its business was to tend to only the interests of the traditional powers - of colonial mindset, if you like. 

If you discount IRB's involvement in the World Series Sevens tournaments in Asia (which began in 1997 with its acquisition of the hugely successful Hong Kong event), the world body's recognition of the Kandy event in 2004 must be the first tangible developmental initiative it had undertaken in Asia. Its association with the Hong Kong Sevens, and then with Dubai, and for awhile with Tokyo and Singapore, were, frankly, financially-motivated: US$1 million was the cost each host country had to fork out per IRB World Series tournament, of which presently there are eight; Hong Kong and Dubai being the Asian hosts.

It has to be pointed out that Asian participation in the IRB World Sevens Series tournaments in Hong Kong and Dubai are not any where near the numbers that attended those two tournaments before their sovereignty was ceded to the IRB. For instance, the last 16-nation World Series in Dubai had just one Asian country, the hosts Arabian Gulf. Of the 24 teams invited for next month's Hong Kong event, Asia has five representatives (Japan, China, Chinese-Taipei, Korea and Sri Lanka). In pre-IRB World Series years, all of the rugby-playing countries in Asia were invited to both Hong Kong and Dubai.

Since the two popular Asian tournaments joined the IRB World Series circuit (which critics at that time described as "kidnapping of rugby's golden goose'') the picking of participants became the prerogative of the IRB. Of course its selections were not willy-nilly, but based on the latest world rankings. And with all the big powers in the fray, Asian countries, bar perhaps Japan and Korea, were never going to win qualification to the World Series.

The Asian Region IRB Satellite tournament was, apparently, intended to be the new international playground for those Asian countries elbowed out of Hong Kong and Dubai by the big boys.

The Satellite concept being born out of those circumstances, organisers of the Singer/Srilankan Airlines were entitled to believe that the accorded IRB status was going to be more lasting than just three years. The declared aims of the Satellite events, after all, were to (1) determine the rankings of Asian countries, (2) provide opportunities for emerging countries to compete in and (3) encourage new countries into the game - objectives that require more than three years to realize.      

As well, Satellite events were a part of an IRB campaign to win Olympic acceptance for rugby - long denied because the IOC thinks the game is not global enough. It is a reason the world body is helpless to deny, given its neglect to spread the game beyond its traditional frontiers, in other words outside the five-nations, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

By giving recognition to an Asian Satellite series, the IRB, one assumes, was attempting to globalise the game, an endeavour though delayed by decades, yet was very welcome.

All of which make the world body's decision to withdraw its recognition of the Singer/Srilankan Sevens rather strange. As reported in The Morning Leader of last Wednesday, the IRB has told organizers not to use the IRB logo in all material pertaining to this year's event. There were financial implications too, with the IRB grant of GBP 40,000 not forthcoming for this year's event. But Hong Kong, this year's host of the event, has donated GBP 29, 000 to the Kandy event, albeit via the ARFU.

It is difficult not to suspect that the IRB wants to wash its hands of the local event. To be fair it must be said though, any second thoughts the world body might have about continuing its involvement with the local event isn't groundless. The results of this year's Satellite event are to decide Asia's two representatives for next year's IRB World Cup Sevens final in Dubai. By any measure the 2008 Satellite, so, would have to be Asia's most crucial competition of the year. And the IRB, given the recognition it accords the event, would naturally want the WC qualifier staged in the best possible environment - and the conditions in Sri Lanka presently are nowhere near that.

Let's face it, with a war raging in the country, security concerns of visiting teams are understandable. The Rugby Asiad in Colombo was cancelled in 2006 because of the competing countries' fears for their safety. It was however staged in 2007, but was a pale imitation of the Asiad as we know it. Japan, Korea and Hong Kong, Asia's top  three, were absent. Chinese-Taipei, at four, sent a development side and at five, Kazakhstan ran out winners. Sri Lanka finished second, though, as Malik Samarawickrema noted at a function celebrating the success "doesn't mean we are second best in Asia.'' That is another story.

Given the reluctance shown by a majority of the competing countries, staging the Satellite World Cup qualifier in Sri Lanka would no doubt be riddled with risks of withdrawals. So, the event's shift to Hong Kong is understandable. I suspect local organizers had half-expected this outcome, but that is not say their grouse over IRB's pullout, in terms of recognition and financial assistance, is unwarranted.

IRB status might have enhanced the prestige of the Singer/Srilankan Sevens, but there was a price to be paid. With the recognition came restrictions: the event was confined  only to Asia. Previously organisers had the freedom to choose from the world, and indeed they did. Countries from far and near featured in the event at different times, from India, Australia, Germany, Kenya, Portugal and even Cook Island. The fare was varied as it was rich - allurements that induced sponsors' investments, big time, in the first place. Obviously, organisers might have had a tough time of it persuading Singer and especially Srilankan Airlines, which stood to benefit from worldwide participation, to stay with an Asians-only event.

So, organisers are justified in feeling they have been betrayed by the IRB. For one thing, it was IRB's declared intention to have a Satellite Series. Turns out that was only pretence. If the intention were honest, the IRB would have preserved the Satellite status of the Sri Lanka tournament and designated the Hong Kong event as the second in the series. They did not. It is excusable to assume that the old colonial mindset is yet at work.

Be that as it may, this much is certain: security fears were not the only shortcomings at our end. The IRB, it has to be remembered deals only with national unions, not individual clubs. That is standard protocol. And with IRB granting a whopping Rs.9 million annually for the event, it obviously had a lot of questions to ask from the union pertaining to organisation.  Unfortunately, the union involvement was not deep enough to field IRB queries. The union claims organisers, Kandy SC, did not want any interference from the national body. Kandy says the union was never supportive of the event. The upshot: IRB's dealings with the union were inevitably deflected to the organizing club, a situation that the world body was never going to tolerate for long.

It is fair to say that the lack of unity between Union and organisers did also provide the IRB with a door to escape from its promised commitment to the event.

So what now? Union Vice President, Asanga Seneviratne, thinks that the withdrawal of IRB status might well be a blessing in disguise. With the world to choose from would mean an enrichment of international flavour - so much more helpful in lifting the standard of our own players, as opposed to competing with only Asian countries.

That, though, is self-consoling. The truth is that links with the IRB through hosting its Satellite tournament helps establish a useful relationship with the world body, a relationship that you do not want to lose in a hurry, if you can help it. Besides the tangible benefit of accruing Rs.9 million by way of IRB grant, there are numerous other benefits to be had from maintaining a healthy working relationship with the IRB - like support for hosting international matches, hosting IRB workshops and seminars, assistance to develop coaching and refereeing, scholarships and, perhaps, become IRB's regional centre for rugby development in South Asia, as HKRFU was in the development of rugby in China.

The greatest benefit though is the advantage of playing an international at home. Sri Lanka has performed consistently well in home conditions, finishing third in last Satellite event in Kandy - a ranking that won it qualification for this year's Hong Kong Sevens. So, the benefits from the IRB-recognised event are immense.

There is yet hope. The SLRFU, at the behest of Kandy SC, is to make an appeal at the IRB meeting to be held in Hong Kong during the Sevens next month.

 I understand the organisers are taking the stand that it has no objections to Hong Kong hosting the World Cup qualifier, but want the Satellite status granted the Singer/Srilankan Airlines in 2004 to be restored. If SLRFU President Nimal Lewke and CEO Dilroy Fernando succeed in getting the IRB to accede to the appeal, then, let us hope that the weapons of war would have gone cold, come September. So, God help our rugby.

Sidath Wettimuny wins Donald Steel Trophy

The Victoria Golf and Country Resort was once again the host venue of the Donald Steel Trophy.  The tournament was played over 18 holes on February 10 and 11, 2008.  This stableford format competition was the 10th edition of the event.

Over ninety golfers signed up for the battle for this year's tournament. The Donald Steel Trophy is the flagship golf championship of Victoria Golf and Country Resort and coincides with the opening of the golf course in 1999.  The tournament is named after the world renown golf architect Donald Steel, who designed the Victoria course. The Donald Steel Trophy is a much awaited golf tournament in the local and overseas golfing arena.

All players teed up under ideal conditions and sunny weather on Saturday (9) at the picturesque Victoria Golf Course. Overseas player J. C. Bretuae, playing off a handicap on 22 returned a nett stableford score of 41 to set the lead for the day.  Six handicapper Nimal Wettimuny carded an excellent net score of 37. Victoria resident Rowland Davies returned a score of net 43 off a handicap of 28. Even though the morning weather had been ideal for golf, the afternoon soon became cloudy and overcast with a promise of a heavy down pour by mid afternoon. The heavy rain which followed compelled the match committee to abandon the round as many players were unable to complete their round for the day. Due to this reason the 2008 Donald Steel Trophy tournament was worked off on 18 holes of play.

On the second day,  Sidath Wettimuny put his local knowledge in to play and recorded a net stableford score of 36 and a gross of 28, making him an early contender for both gentlemen's titles. 

As the day drew to a close it was becoming evident that Sidath Wettimuny's scores were not to be dislodged form the top. Sidath's son Sanjay playing off a handicap of six was able to equal the father in the gross category along with Sanjeewa Wickremanayake who also returned a gross stableford score of 28. Young Chamil Wickreamsinghe claimed the fourth place carding a net 26, whilst past tournament winner Alain Gyi remained in fifth with a gross of 25.  Romesh Abhayaratne, the 2005 Donald Steel Trophy winner equalled Gyi's gross score of 25.

The three equal scores for the Donald Steel Trophy gave rise to a sudden death play off amongst the three top contenders. The play off ended in a nail biting finish when Sidath Wettimuny birdied the 17th hole to justify his claim for the Donald Steel Trophy.

Leader board top ten for the Donald Steel Trophy was as follows; Sidath Wettimuny  28 , Sanjay Wettimuny 28 , Sanjeewa Wickremanayake  28 , Chamil  Wickremasinghe 26 , Alain Gyi  25 , Romesh Abhayaratne 25 , John Youngman  25 ,Pheroze Billimoria 24 , Ian Tait   23 , Sam Gunaratne  22In the net category, vying for honors to win the Ebert Pot, it was Charlie Worrall from the United Kingdom who was able to come close to the lead set by Sidath Wettimuny, returning a net stableford score of 35. Sanjeewa Wickremanyake and Hitoshi Abe were close on his heels carding a net score of 35 as well. Bo Lindberg, Chris Holloway, Sanjay Wettimuny, Anura Dantanarayana and Ajith Dissanayake recorded net 34 respectively. 

The top ten scores for the Ebert Port were C Worrall (24) 35, Sanjeewa Wickremanayake (8) 35, Abe Hitoshi (26) 35, Bo Lindberg (20) 34,Chris Holloway (13) 34, SanjayWettimuny (6) 34, Anura Dantanarayana (21) 34, Ajith Dissanayake (17) 34, Aturaliya Rohan (18) 33, Alex Perera (21) 33Pam Fernanado Cup and the Victoria Bowl were keenly contested this year by the local and overseas ladies.  Niloo Jayatilake and Dhanushi Senadhira tied for the Pam Fernando Cup returning gross stableford scores of 27, whilst last years winner Suven Selvaratnam retuned a gross score of 22 to clinch the third place. Niloo Jayatilake emerged as the winner from the sudden death play off over young Dhanushi Senadhira  to clinch the Pam Fernanado Cup.

Victoria player, Pauline Morley who won last year's Victoria Bowl defended her title with grace when she returned an excellent score of  net 38 points. Niloo Jayatilake who returned a net of 36 comfortably claimed the second position whilst young Dhanushi Senadhira was perched third with net 35 points. Dess Penn and Wendy Rowland from UK carded scores of net 34 and 31 respectively. Local favorite Sonya Boyle recorded a score of net 31.

The leader boards for the Pam Fernando Cup and Victoria Bowl are as follows ;

Pam Fernando Cup - Niloo Jayatilake  27, Dhanushi Senadhira  27 , Suven Selvaratnam  22 , Sonia Boyle 18, Jenny Nalder  17, Yvonne Abhayaratne  16, Dess Penn 15, Ingrid Baum 14, Indira Tibblin  14, Pauline Morley 14

Victoria Bowl- Pauline Morley (24) 38, Niloo Jayatilake (9) 36, Dhanushi Senadhira  (8) 35,  Dess Penn (20) 34, Wendy Rowland (21) 31, Sonia Boyle (15) 31, Indira Tibblin (20) 30, Suven Selvaratnam (8) 30, Jyoti Haynes (25) 29, Anusha Senadhira (18) 29.

Edexcel contributes to develop athletics in international schools

The International Schools Athletic meet, which commenced in the year 2001and sponsored by Edexcel, has presently established itself as a very popular Athletic competition.

Since the inaugural competition, the standard of athletics among international schools have gradually advanced to an extent where several athletes have achieved National and Junior National Colours, thereby providing much required competition at National School and National Level meets. A few of the athletes who have excelled during the last year are:

Gateway College: Shehan Ambepitiya - South Asian Junior Champion, Triple Gold Medalist, Represented Sri Lanka at the Junior World Games 2007,  Keith De Mel - South Asian Junior Gold Medalist, Gayan Dharmasiri - National Junior High Jump, Champion, Udara Rathnayake - 100m, 200m Schools Junior Champion, Gayandhi Ranabahu - 400 m Champion Athlete.

Stafford Internationl School: Jonathan Wijeratne - Best Male Athlete, ISAC 2007,Leighton Park International School, Roshan Silva - Represented Sri Lanka at the Junior World Games 2007.

Colombo International School: Yohan Seneratne - Gold Medalist Javelin Throw, Under 19.

Lyceum International School, Wattala: Viyath Kaushalya - Junior Public Schools, Under15 High Jump Gold Medalist, Osura Perera - Junior Public Schools, 100m and 200m Silver Medalist, Nirma Sandaratne - Junior Public Schools, 100m Silver Medalist.

Royal Institute: Shehan Hettiarachchi - Gold Medalist at Junior Public Schools, Sanjuna Sumanaweera - Gold Medalist in Shot Putt, Javelin and Discus Throw Junior Public School, Under 15 champion.

Gateway College has the proud privilege of being the official organiser of ISAC 2008. The International Schools Athletic Competition is scheduled to be held on February 22, 23 and 24, 2008 at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 13.

The composition of participation will comprise around 2500 athletes from 20 reputed international schools and around 300 technical officials. A gathering of 10,000 spectators including parents and relations of athletes are expected to be present.

Mentioned below are the past winners of the International Schools Athletic Competitions held so far ;Gateway College, Colombo (2001), Gateway College Colombo (2002), Gateway College, Colombo (2003), Colombo International School, Colombo (2004), Gateway College, Colombo (2005), Gateway College, Colombo (2006), Lyceum International School, Wattala (2007).

The organisers of the competition are confident that it could be transformed to the standard of an International Junior Athletic Competition, particularly with the participation of foreign students. The entire event is fully computerised with web based entries to instant access results/scores over the internet.

The success of athletics depends on the proper nurturing of junior athletics and in that sense the competition under reference renders an invaluable contribution to the cause of athletics.

The principal sponsor of the meet is Edexcel. Students of the majority of these schools take Edexcel examinations (London IGCSE, OL and AL). It is encouraging to see an academic awarding body such as Edexcel sponsoring an event of this nature and contributing to the overall development of pupils to be all rounders. John Keells Holdings and Munchee who have been in the fore front in the development of sports in Sri Lanka have consented to be co-sponsors.

Thurstan, Isipathana 45th encounter

The 45th encounter between Isipathana and Thurstan will be played on February 29 and March 1 at the SCC grounds.

The victory tally in the series stands at five wins to Thurstan and four to Isipathana with 34 matches being drawn. One game was not played.  

Ceylinco Fingara win

A second wicket partnership of 143 between Marvan Atapattu (95) and Ruvin Peiris (84) and a tantalising spell of spin bowling (5/38) by Chanaka Komasaru helped Ceylinco Fingara Team beat Nawaloka by 77 runsin their opening match in the MCA Premier League Tournament played at the FTZ Grounds this week. The Ceylinco Fingara Cricket Team led by Sri Lanka Sixes Cricket Captain Indika de Saram comprises  Marvan Atapattu, Upul Chandana, Sanjeewa Weerasinghe, Malintha Gajanayake, Ruvin Peiris, Anil Rideegammanagedera, Thilan Thushara Mirando, Akalanka Ganegama, Tharanga Lakshitha, Damtih Mapa, Sachithra Senanayake, Chanaka Komasaru, Chaminda Vidanapathirana, Dharshana Ranatunge, Umal Irandika and Romesh Jayasinghe.

Ceylinco Fingara - 270/9 in 50 overs (Marvan Atapattu 95, Ruvin Peiris 84, Sanjeewa Weerasinghe 33; Sudesh Umayanga 4/31)

Nawaloka - 193/9 in 50 overs (Sudesh Umayanga 32, Dinusha Fernando 26, Yohan de Silva 25; Chanaka Komasaru 5/38)

Ceylinco Fingara play their next match against Janashakthi Insurance on Tuesday 19th February 2008 at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Aussies crush Lanka again

Sunil Thenabadu reporting from Australia

THe Australians once again crushed the Sri Lankans when they beat the visitors by 63 runs on Friday.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat, on a dry grassless pitch, with good bounce but not with much sideways movement. The weather also did not hinder the proceedings. Adam Gilchrist opened with his other left-handed partner Mathew Hayden. Gilchrist, who was playing his last match at his home ground WACA, received a thunderous applause by the spectators.

 Vaas opened bowling to Gilchrist in the opening over and Malinga partnered him at the other end. Malinga was successful in removing Hayden in his second over as he lofted a ball, which bounced chest high, to square leg for Maharoof to take an easy catch. The total was only 16 and Hayden in one of his rare failures scored only four runs off 11 balls. Skipper Ponting who had failed to reach double figures in the last three outings joined Gilchrist who was piling runs on either side of the wicket. The pair batted confidently. Ponting in particular found the boundary four times with exquisite drives. The pair added 50 runs in just 51 balls before Ponting was caught in the identical fashion at slip by Mahela Jayawardena, pushing forward to a full pitched delivery from Vaas, who bowled unchanged for his full quota of ten overs. Ponting scored 25 off 25 deliveries with four fours. The score was then 66 for two wickets when dependable Michael Clarke joined Gilchrist who continued to pile runs. He hoisted Maharoof over mid on for the first six of the match in his first over and in the 12th over of the innings.

Maharoof was immediately replaced by seamer, Nuwan Kulasekera. Gilchrist was determined to finish his farewell inning on a high note. In the 18th over he posted his 50 much to the delight of his home crowd, when he hit a blazing four to square leg off Kulasekera which was compiled in 58 balls with six fours and two sixes. At the end of the third power play Australia had lost two wickets for 99 and the 100 of the inning was posted when Muralitharan was introduced to the attack. The first 50 was compiled in 63 balls and the second 50 in 59 deliveries. The third 50 come in 64 balls .

With the score on 171 in the 37th over, Clarke was deceived by a Muralitharan doosra and was brilliantly stumped by Sangakkara for 43 off 69 balls  with four boundaries. Andrew Symonds who too had a very lean run with the bat in the series joined Gilchrist who was in the nineties for a long time. Symonds edged a delivery from Maharoof in the 38th over to Sangakkara for a disappointing four runs in eight balls to make Australia 4 for 177. Gilchrist reached his century in the 39th over when he drove Muralitharan for a single. The home fans of  Gilchrist gave him a thunderous applause and he was elated with his magnificent century which comprised of eight fours and three sixes.

This was his 16th one day hundred and the sixth against Sri Lanka. The 200 of the innings was brought up in the 42nd over, the last 50 scored in 65 balls. In the quest for quick runs Gilchrist was caught by Kapugedera at extra cover off Malinga for 118 runs compiled in 130 balls with nine fours and three sixes. Australia were five down for 206 in the 44th over. Gilchrist's century was chanceless but he was dropped by Kapugedera at deep mid wicket off Muralitharan's last over, just before he was out. He was given a standing ovation by the packed home fans on his way back to the pavilion. Michael Hussey, another player from Western Australia was the only  player who gave some resistance scoring 25 runs in 28 balls .He drove a glorious six off Malinga over the long off ropes .

The other two Western Australians James Hopes and Brad Hogg  failed with the bat and so was Lee who like Hogg was yorked by a hostile Malinga, who finished with the best figures of four for 47 runs in 9.4 overs . The Australians could only pile up 236 runs in 49.4 overs. Vaas was the most economical having taken one wicket in his ten overs for only 35 runs.

After the break Sri Lanka commenced their innings with the duo Dilshan and Jayasuriya who gave them a blistering start against the Indians opening the batting. They were chasing a gettable score of 237 runs in 50 overs. Instead of gauging the pace, bounce and swing both Jayasuriya and Dilshan tried to bat in a flamboyant fashion .

As a result the Lankans lost wickets at regular intervals. Except for Sangakkara who stroked a fluent 80, the rest of the other batsmen failed to live up to expectations.They were bundled out for 173 in 45.3 overs, thus leaveing the aussies the winners by 63 runs.

Scores:Australia 236 (Gilchrist 118, Clarke 43, Malinga 4-47) beat Sri Lanka 173 (Sangakarra 80) by 63 runs .