Another MRI Scan after three weeks for Kandy players

By Lal Gunasekera

The three rugby players from Kandy Sports Club who cited injury when they pulled out of the Taipei tour now in progress, have been asked by the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) to undergo another MRI Scan

The three players involved are Anuranga Walpola, Sean Wijesinghe and Pradeep Liyanage.

They were in Colombo last week for a 'test' to be conducted by Dr. Geethanjana Mendis to find out whether they were really injured or 'faking' their injuries.  If it's the latter  they are liable for disciplinary action. However, a MRI Scan could not be done in Colombo, due to various reasons.

Three weeks ago, medical certificates were issued by Dr. Hillary Suraweera of the Kandy Hospital and Dr. Jayasuriya of the Apollo Hospital in Colombo to say that Walpola, Wijesinghe and Liyanage were injured and were unable to tour Taipei.

Now, the Kandy Sports Club has received a letter from the SLRFU asking the three players to report back to Dr. Geethanjana Mendis to undergo another MRI Scan.

"After  resting for three weeks taking another MRI Scan would be a pointless exercise as the injuries to the three players could have improved" said a senior official of the Kandy Sports Club.

Appeal rejected

Meanwhile, Chamara Withanage, who was suspended for two years by the SLRFU for allegedly assaulting a referee in a schools' rugby match last year (2007) in Kandy, on his appeal to the SLRFU found the suspension being reduced to 18 months ending December 8 this year.

Withanage, who has found employment at the Seylan Bank had made another appeal to the SLRFU to reduce his suspension by four days, which would permit him to play for Seylan Bank in the forthcoming Mercantile Rugby 7's, but The Sunday Leader learns that Withanage's request  has been turned down by the SLRFU.

SL tennis 'boggled' - and broke

 TO reject an offer to host an international event has to be considered as unprogressive. But, to turn down an event that is the only one of its kind in the world is unforgivable. That surely is the feeling of the local tennis fraternity as it mulls over the Interim Committee's decision, last week, to shy away from an ITF offer to host the Group Three Davis Cup tie in Colombo next year.

The annual eight-nation event for Asian minnows, of course, won't hold the world in rapt attention, but, being a part of the world's oldest and only men's tennis team-competition, it is the singly most important tournament for the continent's third-tier countries: It provides the participants with the only pathway to journey to the higher plateaus of world tennis - all the more reason why the ITF offer ought not to have been rejected.

The Bogollagama-led interim committee has its own reasons for non-acceptance. To paraphrase them: "Thanks, but no thanks; we're dead broke and can't afford take up your (ITF) offer. But if you come up with the money, we'll gladly do the job for you.''

Dire financial straits

Whatever your thoughts might be on that sort of response, you can't accuse the interim committee of lying. The truth is, the sport is in dire financial straits - rolling on a bank-overdraft of over Rs.2M and, by IC Secretary, Maxwell de Silva's own admission, receipts of only about Rs.2M this year by way of sponsorship, sport's lifeblood has come in.

Tennis' financial impoverishment, it has to be said, is a reflection of a meltdown of the country's, nay the world's economy. Against that fact, the interim committee's decision to turn down the ITF offer might be viewed with some sympathy. But then, the financial troubles of tennis didn't begin with the bottoming out of Wall Street a few weeks ago. The Bogollagama administration, it must be remembered, inherited a healthy bank balance of Rs.14M when it first assumed office 18 months ago, in April 2007.

So, it is a reasonable assumption that had the finances been better managed, or in the way it was  post-2007, the interim committee might have been in a position to host the 2009 Davis Cup - as the SLTA administrations of 2000, 2004 and 2007 did. Before we get into the reasons why the 2009 event was rejected, let us weigh what the back-out is likely to cost the country.

Recent history suggests Sri Lanka tennis might have paid a heavy cost. Consider: In 2000, Sri Lanka performed impressively to win four of their five matches, the second-best of all; but the rules at that time put us in third place. The 2004 event in Colombo was cut short by rain, forcing organisers to restrict the competition to the teams placed in the top four as at day 2, when the skies opened up. Sri Lanka was not among day 2's top four. 

But 2007 in Colombo was an exceptional success. Sri Lanka all but achieved its ambition of becoming a Group Two country. With the top two teams in Group Three qualifying for promotion, Sri Lanka was one of three teams to finish joint-first in Colombo; Lebanon and Oman, the other two. The promotions so were decided by the tally of sets-won by each of the three top teams in the tournament; Sri Lanka, unfortunately, came up one short of second-placed Oman.

The benefit of home advantage was illustrated in reverse this year in Iran: Sri Lanka finished fifth, out of eight. Clearly, Sri Lanka performs better in their own backyard, as do other host countries too. For instance, in 2005 and 2006, Hong Kong and the Philippines respectively, earned Group Two promotion on home shores.

Abundant talent

The outstanding talent presently before the selectors is, perhaps, the best available in years - so abundant that the job of choosing is pretty much cherry-picking, really: 22-year-old Harshana Godamanna's professional career would be into its third year in 2009 - and so that much more mature, he. Two teenagers, Sankha Atukorale and Artha Hewacottage made it to the Davis Cup squad in 2007 and '08 respectively, while other youngsters Gayanga Weerasekera, Michael Siyaguna and Dinusha Weerasuriya are knocking on the door. There's also the old reliables, Rajeev Rajapakse and  Rohan de Silva challenging for places yet.

Rich pickings too are to be had from Sri Lankan players based in the US: Franklyn Emmanuel, the youngest ever national singles champion, Amrit Rupasinghe and Oshda Wijemanne, all with more than two years experience in the US Collegiate circuit.

So, to be hopeful of promotion in 2009 would not have been the pipedream it now is, with the interim committee denying the players home advantage - advantage of their familiarity with the courts and weather conditions, and, importantly, home crowd rooting.

As well, there are advantages to be had off the courts, the tourist industry in particular. Each of the seven visiting countries has five players, a coach and a manager, which adds up to 48 arrivals, minimum. "Friends, relations and supporters too came along (in 2007); a total of 65-70 guests would be a conservative guess,'' says Mirza Fajudeen, sales director, TransAsia, designated official-hotel of the last Davis Cup, "and they stayed for nine nights - which from Trans Asia's point of view was pretty good business.''

Tourist arrivals apart, hosting a sport event at a time when the perception in the world outside is that the country is an unsafe destination, would have gone some way in mending the image. The interim committee might have shown better sense in making an appeal to the Sport Minister - the creator of the Bogollagama-led IC  for funds to host the event, particularly as it is in consonance with government's policy of encouraging tourism through sport. But lethargic, unimaginative administrations prefer to take the course of least resistance - so out went the 2009 Davis Cup from the Green Path window.

IC Secretary Maxwell de Silva, in last week's issue of The Morning Leader remarked that ITF won't find willing takers of the event owing to the worldwide economic recession, and added, as far he is aware, Singapore and Iran had turned down the offer to play host. The disinterest of those two countries is, however, not surprising: Iran was host last year, and took quite some flak from some of competing countries over (1) the discomforting altitude at which the event was played and (2) the segregation of women spectators at the venue. The Islamic nation, apparently, believes there's wisdom in the idiom, 'once bitten, twice shy.' Singapore is one of the Group 4 qualifiers for next year Group 3 tie, and clearly doesn't give itself a chance of success - so why would they want to bother hosting the event at all.

Defeatist

That apart; to cite the two countries' refusal as a reason for our rejection of the event is being defeatist; the incumbent's dislike of challenges. It is not as if the 2009 Davis Cup is on January 1. Rather, it's due in June or July - which means the interim committee would have had more than half a year to get things together. And there is not a lot to pull together either, not with six new hard courts constructed, a multi-million-rupee project inspired by the Subramaniam administration and completed in time for the 2007 Davis Cup tie.     

But hard courts aren't for bedding and after-match living. Guests have to be accommodated in hotels and transported to courts and back - to pay for which organisers have to scour the corporate world. And that is where the trouble lies for the interim committee - a trouble that had its roots in the factionalism that erupted approaching the 2008 AGM. That is an old, tired story, and suffice it is to remind you here that the 2008 AGM was never held. It was postponed on the orders of Sport Minister Gamini Lokuge, with the 2007-elected officials asked to serve, pro-tem which six months later was condensed to a nine-man interim committee with Bogollagama continuing at the helm.

If an administration installed through what was - dare it be said - an act of deception by the ministry did not discourage away prospective sponsors, then, the row over selections for the 2008 Davis Cup did. The much publicised row over the selection of one of two rookies got decidedly ugly, and culminated with the removal of the selectors by the ministry, whose nominee made the trip to Iran. That controversy was followed by the illegal selection of an unqualified coach to accompany Sri Lanka's one-man team for the Beijing Paralympics.

Hangovers

Sri Lanka tennis continues to suffer from the hangover of these rows. It is commonly known that companies look at controversy-riddled sports, as tennis is, the way you and I view pesky insurance salesman - we cross the street when we spot one. Tennis, pre-2007, annually pulled Rs.10M, minimum; 2008 could scrounge up just about Rs.2M, a figure IC secretary de Silva admits to.

Tennis is pretty much like that pesky insurance salesman, crossing roads in chase of sponsors. And unless minister Lokuge delivers his forgotten promise of conducting the AGM (read: election of office bearers), the future of tennis itself could well meet its end on the road.

Nugegoda CC suspended for five years by SLC!

Strong fight back by Bloomfield against CCC

Bloomfield after being bowled out for 148 runs hit back strongly to reduce their opponents CCC to 93 for 7 in their first innings on the opening day of their SLC Premier League Tier A tournament match which commenced at Reid Avenue on Friday.

Scores: Bloomfield: 148 (T. Masmulla 43, Y. de Silva 22, C. Silva 23, C. Jayasinghe 23, S. Silva 3 for 41, C. Vidanapathirana 2 for 46, I. Ratnayake 2 for 25, N. Rupasinghe 3 for 9)

CCC: 93 for 7 (B. Perera 28, N. Randhika 33 n.o., T. Lakshitha 3 for 28, C. Jayasinghe 2 for 11)

Ishara Madurangi wins women's TT singles crown

The 62nd Table Tennis Nationals conducted by the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka and sponsored by STAG was concluded at the S. Thomas' College indoor sports complex on Friday.

Women's singles champion Ishara Madurangi of Devananda College Ambalangoda receiving the challenge trophy from Chief Guest Dr. A .H. A. Hazari Managing Director Serendib Medical (Pvt) Ltd. Also in the picture are Rajiva Wijetunge President TTASL and A. A. H. Hazari Director Serendib Medical (Pvt) Ltd.

Dnata launches Camel Polo in Dubai

First there was Polo, the sport of kings. Then there was Elephant Polo, the sport of Maharajahs. Now in Dubai there is Camel Polo - the sport of Sheikhs.

Leading Middle East travel management company, Dnata has launched a distinctive Dubai version of the traditional polo game played not with horses, but the U.A.E.'s iconic camels.

Adrian Sime, Manager, Business Development at Dnata Travel Services, said: "As the leading travel services company in the Middle East, Dnata is always looking for ways to enhance our range of products and services. It is important that visitors to Dubai can enjoy a variety of different experiences and that is why we have decided to add Camel Polo to our portfolio.

Cricket - Premier league

Left arm spinner Sajeewa Weerakoon snapped up four wickets for 22 to put Colts CC well on course to an easy first innings victory over Moors SC on the second day of their SLC Premier League Tier A tournament match continued at Havelock Park yesterday.

Earlier Colts CC declared their first innings at a massive 502 for 7 with Dilruwan Perera, Chaminda Vaas and Rashan Peiris also making significant contributions.

Moors SC: 159 for 6 (D. Hunukumbura 54, N. Nawala 36, A. Rideegammanagedera 18 n.o, S. Weerakoon 4 for 22)

Stylish opening batsman Ian Daniel hammered a magnificent 165 with two sixes and 23 boundaries to put Ragama CC in a commanding position on the second day of their SLC Premier League Tier A tournament match continued at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium yesterday.

Ragama CC: 355 (I. Daniel 165, K. Weeraratne 29, I. de Saram 27, S. Saman 39, I. Udana 4 for 60, M. Pushpakumara 2 for 38, L. Dias 2 for 62)

Paceman Tharanga Lakshitha bagged four wickets for 41 to help Bloomfield snatch a close 13 runs first innings lead over CCC on the second day of their SLC Premier League Tier A tournament match continued at Reid Avenue yesterday.

CCC: 135 (N. Randhika 33, S. de Silva 25, T. Lakshitha 4 for 41, S. Dissanayake 3 for 78, C. Jayasinghe 2 for 11)

Spinner Sachithra Senanayake captured four wickets for 38 to give the defending champions SSC a good first innings lead of 133 runs over Chilaw Marians SC on the second day of their SLC Premier League Tier A tournament match continued at Maitland Place yesterday.

Baduraliya CC: 319 (A. Asanka 70, R. Priyadarshana 63, U. Fernando 28, T. Kottahewa 4 for 96, K. Kulasekera 2 for 60)

Cricket - Inter-school

Wesley: 140 (J. Bongso 20, N. Janadhi 2 for 22, M. Perera 3 for 19, S. Perera 2 for 22) and 171 (P. Samarasekera 64, J. Bongso 24, D. Wijesinghe 26, R. Sharmein 2 for 23, M. Perera 4 for 39, S. Perera 3 for 46)

Ananda College Under 12 All Island Chess Runners-up

Ananda College, Colombo did well to win the Under 12 Inter School All Island 'A' division chess runner-up trophy organised by the Sri Lanka Schools' Chess Association from November 7-9,  held at Nalanda College, Colombo. It was a six round tournament with 20 teams from all parts of Sri Lanka taking part.

     In a "cliff hanger," in this "battle of the brains" tournament Vidyartha College, Kandy did well to win the championship by obtaining 24 point as against 23 points gained by Ananda.

Ananda's 23 points comprised wins against Maliyadeva College (Kurunegala) 3.5/2.5, D. S. Senanayake (Colombo) 6/0, Nalanda College (Colombo) 3.5 / 2.5, Rahula College (Matara) 3.5 / 2.5, Vidyartha College (Kandy) 3.5 / 2.5 and drew against Richmond College (Galle) 3.3.

Ramith Hettiarachchi won a "Board Prize."

Pasidu Herath captained the team which comprised Dinuk Liyanage, Kaveesha Jayawardena, Thilina Dilshan, Yoshitha Atukorale, Ramith Hettiarachchi and Senith Sooriarachchi.

The team is coached by Romesh Wijeyawardane while the Master-in-Charge is H.A. Herath.

Highlights of the week

Royal in stunning win

Royal College gave glimpses of its golden era in recording a stunning innings victory over a bastion of inter school cricket, St. Sebastian's last weekend. The victory came after 23 years for the Reid Avenue schoolboys and dismissing the Sebastianites for a paltry 25 runs in the first inning sent ardent Royalists seeking clarification on the same.

SL Development squad tour a non starter

India wins Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The Australian dominance in test cricket came to a grinding halt when the rejuvenated Indians beat the Kangaroos fair and square in the recently concluded test series. The 2-0 series win by Anil Kumble's and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's India enabled the host nation to take custody of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

Mithun captures SL Amateur golf title

Ganguly calls it a day

SL U - 20 placed 3rd at Junior Asiad

Liverpool, Chelsea lose in Carling Cup

Big guns Liverpool and Chelsea were knocked out of the Carling Cup. The Anfield side lost 2-4 to Tottenham while Premier league table leaders Chelsea suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Championship side Burnley on a penalty shoot out.

- Compiled by Ranil Prematilake

Rs.9 lakhs prize money for Badminton Nationals

By Lal Gunasekera

The Interim Committee of the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA) has managed to get sponsorship to the tune of Rs.900,000 as prize money for its 56th National championship to be worked off at the Royal College Sports Complex from December 18 to 21.

The Secretary, SLBA Interim Committee, S. Veeravagu, told The Sunday Leader that Ceylon Heavy Industries and Construction Company is the main sponsor with Sri Lanka Telecom and Yonex as co-sponsors.

The champions of the main events (Men's Singles, Women's Singles, Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles) will receive Rs.100,000 each, while the runners-up too will receive substantial cash awards.

The other events to be worked off in this four-day competition are Veteran Men's Singles, Veteran Men's Doubles, Veteran Women's Singles, Veteran Women's Doubles, Masters Singles and Masters Doubles.

Meanwhile, players from nine provinces including Northern Province BA and Eastern Province BA will battle it out with their counterparts from the Western Province BA, Sabaragamuwa Province BA, Southern Province BA, Central Province BA, North Western Province BA, North Central Province BA and Uva Province BA at the finals of the junior Nationals from December 4 to 7 also at the Royal College Sports Complex.

Veeravagu also told The Sunday Leader that Sri Lanka did not make much of an impression at both the Asian Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune and at the World Junior Championship in Pune.

Ceylinco gears Victoria monthly medal

The monthly golfing challenge is all set to get underway at the Victoria Country and Resort Golf course on the November 22. This month's event is being sponsored by Ceylinco Life.

Prize are to be awarded for the Best Net & Gross Scores in the respective divisions.

Those interested in participating could contact Dhanu on 0777-840894 or e-mail: marketing@victoriagolf.lk for further information.

The event will culminate with the presentation of awards commencing 7.00 pm followed by dinner.

LC'ites triumph in water polo

The Ladies' College water polo team emerged champions of the 5th Annual LC water polo encounter hosted by Ladies College on October 3 at the Ladies College pool. Ladies College defeated Visakha Vidyalaya by four goals to two. The Ladies College Colombo team was captained by Gabrielle Mohammed (captain) who  shot two goals while Dharshika Jayawardene and Thisuri Madara shot one goal each. The team was coached by Udara Fernando and the teacher-in-charge is Bonita Wimalasooriya.

League tournament