Sports

Requires funds to continue playing

Anura Rohana wins Nepal Masters

By Lal Gunesekera

One of the two professional  golfers in Sri Lanka at the moment, R. A. Anura Rohana, who won the Surya Nepal masters at the Gokarna Golf Resort on April 25, is hoping that some individual or establishment will come forward soon to sponsor him on the Indian and Asian tours.

Rohana told The Sunday Leader that he has to find the necessary founds needed to play on the Pro Circuit this year. He said that the Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) helped him for six years (2003 to 2008), but they do not have the finances to assist him this year.

Rohan said: "We have to spend our own funds now. The air ticket to Nepal alone cost me Rs.85,500/=. It costs US$ 520 per year for the Asian Tours and US$ 90 per tournament. For the Indian tour it costs Rs.10,000/= plus Rs.8,500/= As membership fees a year and  Rs1,000 /= a tournament this is beside the air fare and accommodation. We need a sponsor soon.

Rohana and young Mithun Perera arrived in the country early mornings last Sunday (April 26) and were disappointed that there was no one from either the SLGU or the Ministry of Sports to greet them on arrival.

Rohana won the Surya Nepal Masters with a 12-under par 276 (73,65,69,69) from 114 other golfers, while Sri Lanka's reigning amateur champion, Mithun Perera, was runner-up with a 10-udner 278 (68,70,68,72). Perera, son of the famous K.A. Nandasena Perera, won the Nepal Amateur title worked off concurrently by over 15 strokes from Jamel Hossain Mollah (293) of Bangladesh, while Nepal's No 1. Rupak Achaarya was third with a 11 over 299.

This was Rohana's first title win since he turned professional in 2002 after he won the Silver Medal at the Asian Games in South Korea. His best performances since turning a Pro has been fourth at the Indian Open in Delhi in 2007 and fifth in the Crown Plaza Open in China also in 2007. He has played in many countries in Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Brunei and Pakistan, besides India, China and Nepal. He also won the Sri Lanka Open earlier this year (2009).

  Rohana playing as an amateur won the Public Links Amateur title in the USA in 2000, and also triumphed at the Sri Lanka Open Amateur in 1999, Pakistan Open Amateur in 2000, Malaysian Open Amateur in 1999, and Bangladesh Open Amateur title on three occasions (1998, 1999 and 2000). He was runner up in the Singapore Open Amateur in 1999 in which year, he was fourth in the Thailand Open Amateur Championship.

Rohana is now in charge of the Pro Shop at the Royal Colombo golf Club (RCGC) and has obtained his coaching licence from Royal and Ancient (World governing body for Golf) together with Lalith Kumar and hopes to commence coaching soon to help them financially.

Rohana resides in Narahenpita (Dabare Mawatha) with his wife Deepika Kumari and their two sons Uchitha Akash (13) and Udesha Akalanaka (9), who are both students of D.S. Senanayake College.

Lalith Perera, who turned professional about three years ago, is also facing a similar problem -no sponsor. He is in charge of the Driving Range at the RCGC and is also married.

Like no April rugby has known.

NORMALLY by end-April loyal rugby fans are in a state of can't-wait-for-the-season-to-start. Between the appetiser served in February-March in the form of the inter-club sevens' and the main course in May is a long wait, though made endurable by a happy sense of expectancy. Each passing day brings pleasant relief: the first kick-off, after all, is a day closer.

But typical of the disorder that has havocked rugby administration this year, 2009's first kick-off date remained unknown until the night of Tuesday, April 28 - a date, which, together with dates of the season's other matches were, down the long years, made known no sooner than the elected/retained office-bearers had assumed office in the February AGM.

Rugby is all about playing competitions, and so one of the first jobs that the new committee traditionally undertakes is to appoint a tournament committee, whose members, in turn, make the preparation and finalisation of the year's tournament fixtures their first job. By mid-March the season's fixtures are pretty much public knowledge - and fans' interest are enlivened, though now, not quite as arrestingly as it used to during 60s through to the 90s. 

Month of hype

Ah, those decades of delight: April was a month of hype; newspapers bristled with stories on the clubs' recruitment of the previous season's schoolboy talent. These days news of prominent players shifting allegiance to a new team might have been made banal by its frequency, but in days when loyalty was the religion of clubs, crossover stories were stuff of banner headlines. Changing clubs was sacrilege.

A delay as long as the announcement of the 2009 fixtures might not match the depth of frustration it might've caused fans of the halcyon era - but that is an inapplicable comparison simply because there's no past reference to compare 2009 with. Previous fixtures-list came as sure as Christmas does on December 25 - and fans had no reason to fret.

Aiding better preparation of teams aside, past administrators saw the early release of season's fixtures as an obligation it must fulfill to its faithful followers. The paying-public were the clubs' financiers; professionalism and money were taboo. Now, though, clubs bow at the financial altars of the corporate world, and fans' support at the turnstile matter less to clubs than during the decades of delight.

Dependence on sponsors

The clubs' greater dependence on sponsors, albeit on the compulsions of professionalism, and the corresponding diminishing dependence on its fans (read: gate receipts) might not be the sole reason for the missing multitude from the stands, but it is one of them.

The more obvious reasons: (1) money power that results an uneven distribution among competing clubs of the better talent, and (2) the consequent domination of the richer clubs, which over the past decade and half has been just one: Kandy SC. To say it briefly: predictable and uncompetitive tournaments, year-in-year-out, have removed rugby's old allure - and hence, the sparsely populated stands.

It is a fact that club rugby enjoyed a vastly greater following in the '60s through to '90s, and it was then an unwritten law that administrators of old don't trifle with their responsibilities to the paying public. But with the dwindling numbers, it is possible that the powers-that-be of now apparently think nothing about making ad hoc decision that might cause frustration to the good game's loyal followers.

Their diminishing numbers translates to diminishing public interest, which in turn allow administrators to do what they want, and at the time of their choosing, knowing that the numbers required to whipping up a serious public outcry aren't there - which is why the date of the first 2009 kick-off was announced three weeks before it is due, and not the normal prior two-month notice.

This is no way to treat the game's declining followers. It is all the more reason why present-day administrators ought to do the things intended to regain the game's lost followers, not which that disappoints and so go to make the dwindling numbers even fewer.

Loyal followers diasppointed

But then loyal followers have more serious reasons to be disappointed with 2009 so far: controversy over national captaincy, the pullout of nearly the entire originally-named national squad for the Asian Nations and looming threats of litigation.

So the failure to put together, until last Tuesday, some fifty-sixty matches over some three months can only have been a minor irritation to already harassed fans - or to say it another way, a reflection of the extent administrators have gone to take the game's followers for granted.

To be fair by the incumbents, it has to be said, the present mess is not solely of their own making. The story of how they came to take office (with the 2009 AGM barely a month away) is a tired old tale requiring no re-telling. Suffice it is to remind you that the crisis that climaxed with the appointment of an interim committee was manufactured within. When the President and Secretary of the previously elected regime both resigned in the weeks approaching the 2009 AGM, the door had been opened for Sport Ministry intervention.

And that was how an IC came to be written into the hallowed pages of Sri Lanka rugby history. The necessity of an IC is of course arguable. Though the SLRFU at the time of the IC appointment was without a president and secretary, as well as a CEO, there where other options available to summon the scheduled AGM - and have a new committee elected.

However, the naming of just two to sit in as IC members - as opposed to five-plus that form other ICs - seemed to suggest a brief term for Dr. Maiya Gunasekera and Kiran Atapattu, chairman and secretary respectively; Lasitha Gunaratne was recruited later, allegedly in an honorary capacity.

Amendments

In fact, Sport Minister, Lokuge, said as much about the intended term of the IC, remarking that the two-man team's main responsibility is to set the stage for holding the AGM "as soon as possible''.

But Dr Gunasekera, being a past SLRFU president, probably believed that, to rid rugby administration of the factionalism that has long blighted the game and provided the breeding ground for endless controversies, the constitution would have to be re-written. He has presented a set of amendments that are to be discussed and voted on this month. Whether his amendments will unite the bickering clubs into one happy family is left to be seen. His brave efforts, though, are to be commended.

But one has to ask if he is being too clever by half. For, in pursuing seemingly nobler and loftier goals via a re-writing of the constitution, clearly, he has stumbled on administration's basics - like sorting out the season's fixtures in time, ordering a disciplinary inquiry into the pullout of 16 players from national duty when the SLRFU has had no disciplinary committee since the elected committee was dissolved. He then allegedly names one and back-dates their appointment to a time prior to the pullout.

His critics will say that the good doctor is acting beyond the brief of an IC - which is to conduct the day to day affairs of the sport until the troubles that necessitated the dissolution of elected committee is sorted out and the stage set for new elections. That classical definition of the role of the IC was long flung out of the window; the present cricket IC took over from an elected committee back in 2005 and there's no word yet of a return to a democratically elected body. So, it's excusable to assume ICs are permanent.

Dr. Gunasekera, however, has said he has no desire to stay a day longer than is required. Ostensibly, he wants to depart after his proposed amendments are discussed and accepted, hopefully. The essence of the amendments is to neutralise the power of the Provincial Unions and correspondingly strengthen the power of the traditional clubs - a contentious change that is not likely to get a welcoming reception.

 But for the good of the game one hopes that the proposals will be discussed in a spirit of accommodation, a resolution agreed upon - and rugby administration returns to elected hands.

At least, then, rugby might have the Aprils it knew. 

Lasitha's appointment is unconstitutional

By Lal Gunesekera

The appointment of Lasitha Gunaratna as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or even Acting CEO of the Interim Committee of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) is unconstitutional.

There is no provision in the SLRFU constitution for this post, except that for the post of Executive Director. This is clearly stated in the 1992 SLRFU constitution Section 12 (Clause 9) on page 21. Under these circumstances, all documents signed by Gunaratne and decisions taken by him are null and void, which includes the letter signed by him which authorises the IC for SLRFU to conduct the schools tourna ment, which he (Gunaratna) handed over to the Western Province RFU, at a recent meeting.

The Interim Committee was appointed by the Minister of Sports and Public Recreation, Gamini Lokuge after the SLRFU was dissolved on January 22 with the appointment of Dr Maiya Gunasekera as chairman and Kiran Atapattu as secretary cum treasurer.

Not resigned yet

Viraj Prashantha has also not forwarded his letter of resignation from the post of national rugby selector as ordered by Minister Lokuge. As the rugby coach of S. Thomas, Prashantha, is acting against the Sports Law in being a selector whilst coaching.

The Sunday Leader understands that the Warden of S.Thomas' College has written to Minister Lokuge on April 6 stating that Viraj Prashantha is the "Technical Advisor" to the Thomian Rugby Team. This is unacceptable as a Technical Advisor is involved in coaching too, and furthermore, Prashantha, is paid for his services.

Same boat

The appointment of Ajith Abeyratne as the Chairman of Selectors too is highly questionable as he is the Chairman of the Rugby Committee of CR+FC and involved in the selection of the club side too. He had attended a meeting of the CR Rugby Committee last week, though the Chairman of the IC for SLRFU, Dr Gunasekera, says that Abeyratne had resigned from his post in the CR Rugby Committee "A long time ago."

None are the blind as those who refuse to see.

Over to you Mr. Minister.

Bradby Shield game rescheduled

By Hafiz Marikar

The eagerly awaited Bradby Shield game between Trinity and Royal has been rescheduled after the schools season mockery.

It is said that the 1969 Trinity  College captain, who was one of the finest fullbacks  during his playing days will be the Chief Guest at the Kandy game.  Shafie Jainudeen was  invited last year and he pulled out in the eleventh hour,  when  he failed to get a  flight from Australia and Sam Samarasekara replaced him. 

Shafie Jainudeen was a live wire of the game and played for  Havelocks Sports Club for a long spell, captaining in 1975.  He  also played for the country.   While at  school he played for Kandy Sports Club in the 1969 Cup finals  against CR & FC, and in the following year crossed over to Havelock SC.

Under  Shafie Trinity beat Royal  8-0 and 9-3.The second leg will be  graced by the 1968 Royal skipper  C.R. de Silva, a fine propforward during his playing days, and led the Royalist to beat the Trinitians in both the legs  19-00 and  5-3, he later played for  the CR & FC.

Now the Trinitians who presented their  traditional fixtures earlier, have  to wait for the fixtures,   to play in the  show piece tournament conducted by the Interim Committee of the SLRFU.

Trinity opened their season yesterday against  St. Josephs'  at Pallekelle,  rest of the  matches are  against St.Anthony's on the 7th at Pallekelle, 16th against St.Thomas' in Colombo, 23rd vs  St. Peter's in Colombo, 30th  lst leg of the Bradby against Royal, June 6th  against  Mahanama in Colombo, 13th 2nd leg of the Bradby at Royal Grounds, 20th Isipatana at Palekelle, 26th  Dharmaraja  at Pallekelle, 4th July, Kingswood at Pallekele,

World rankings drop drastically

Who is to blame for shuttle decline?

By Lal Gunesekera

What has gone wrong in the badminton scenario in the recent past - particularly in the last year? Eyebrows have been raised after Sri Lanka's miserable performance at the recent Asian Championship in South Korea.

The country's first shuttler who "qualified" for the Olympic Games staged in China last year (2008), Thilini Jayasinghe, fell a cropper in her very first  match in the qualifying round in korea losing to a lass from Kazakhstan, brothers (Niluka and Dinuka) played in the main draw of  the Men's Singles.

The elder Karunaratna (Niluka) stretched China's No 2, who was the ultimate winner, but lost 14/21, 18/21 in the first-round, while the younger dinuka lost to South Korea's No 2 in the second round but in a three-setter-they were much better than our women. Before Sports Minister Gaming Lokuge appointed an Interim committee for the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA), the world rankings of our players were much better, that was up to March 20, 2008. In the Men's Singles ,Niluka Karunaratne was ranked 80, while his younger brother Danuka and Diluka were 117 and 165 respectively.

What about the women? Thilini Jayasinge was ranked 116, Chandrika de Silva 130, while Achini Ratnasiri  (14 years) was way behind on 421. In the men's Doubles, Diluka and Dinuka Karunaratne and chandrika de silva  were ranked No 73, while Anushaka, lakshan and Thilini Jayasinghe were No.180.

Now what is the position? The Karunaratne brothers are not even in the rankings of the BWF now, while Thilini  Jayasinghe is ranked in the 240's and Chandrika de Silva is in the 330's !

Also, Sri Lanka who were ranked just behind India and were ahead of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Maldive Island are now ranked behind all these countries!! Who is responsible for this sad state of affairs? Is it the players or the administration?

According to the Secretary of the IC for SLBA, S.Veeravagu, the standards of other Asian countries have improved in leaps and bounds, and that Sri Lanka must confine themselves to playing in the South Asian region and Far East too. According to an investigation carried out by The Sunday Leader, there were hardly any shuttle cocks made available by the authorities   to players in the two main national pools (senior and junior), no regular practice sessions, except just before a tournament overseas. However, Veeravagu, refuted these allegations, but did not deny the fact that there was a problem regarding the shuttlecocks. He said " They cost a lot of money and are priced at Rs. 240/ (feather) and Rs. 150/= (nylon) each. The junior poolists have no problem. They practice with nylon shuttles.

The senior national poolists did train regularly for the Asian championship. We have now given them a short break before training starts again for the Sudirman Cup  in May. Kamal Gamlath offered his services free as coach for the Asian Championship, and the sports Ministry released him. He is employed at the Ministry. He too went with the team to Korea.

The Sunday Leader learns that many district and provincial /sectorial associations are inactive as they do not receive any financial assistance from the governing body to conduct tournaments and also that the District and Provincial pools are not functioning as in the past. Provincial pools received 12 tubes of  feather shuttles each month ,while district pools were given 6 tubes of  nylon shuttler per month. Also, a Provincial coach was paid Rs 4000/= reports were also sent to the governing body every month on the progress made.

Veeravagu in response told The Sunday Leader that central, southern and north western together with nine other provincial associations conducted the western province tournament on their (WPBA) behalf. He said:' "Financially they were not assisted, but the SLBA give shuttles and pays the umpires fees. Central Province has a pool, although no reports have been received, while the coaches in Kandy, Galle, Ambalangoda and Colombo are paid Rs 4000/= a month".

Veeravagu also said that the Ministry of Sports and Public Recreation has given a directive to the IC for SLBA to form District Associations (25 in number) instead of the provincial associations and that a meeting regarding this new development was scheduled for last Friday (April 24)

He   further said that the IC of the SLBA conducted both the Senior and Junior National Championship and SSC Open (with the blessings of the IC) since the IC was appointed in March 2008.

Also revealed, was that there were programmes for coaches every there months and programmes for umpires twice a year in the past under elected bodies.

Another historic achievement  for Peterite tennis

The Peterite tennis players have added another out standing and historic achievement to their already long list of performances by the fact all three players who  are representing the Sri Lanka under 14 tennis team at the World Junior final qualifying tennis tournament to be held in  Kuching, Malaysia are Peterites. There is added significance to this achievement in the fact that the coach of the Sri Lanka team is Mr K D Y Pathiraja, who is in fact the coach of the St. Peter's College tennis team and the Manager being Mr Bernard Jesuthasan, who is the Master in Charge of tennis at St. Peter's college.

Sri Lanka qualified for this World Junior Asian qualifying tennis tournament after their performances in Myanmar. In Myanmar the Sri Lanka tennis team competed against Singapore, Kazkazthan and the hosts Myanmar and was selected to participate in this World Junior Asian qualifying event. This competition is to be held in Kuching, Malaysia from the 03rd to the 11th of May 2009.

The players who are representing Sri Lanka once again are Nishangan Nadarajah, Aaron Assauw and Aritha Weerasinghe. What is even more commendable is the fact that even the fourth member of the team Sanjeev Mohankumar is also a Peterite. A lot is expected from these young Peterites by continuing to be part of the future Sri Lankan teams.

St Peters who are the reigning All Island Overall School Champions as well as the reigning All Island Mini Tennis Champions are going great guns in the National arena as well. Their determination to do well as well as their strong mental attitude towards being competitive have been the cornerstone of their success.

This historic achievement of the entire contingent of the Sri Lanka tennis team being from St. Peter's is a proud and unprecedented effort on the part of the tennis community at St. Peter's College and is also unmatched by any other sport, either, at College. Many have predicted that the fact the entire contingent being from the same school will be an unparalleled achievement in the Sri Lankan sports sphere as well for a long time to come.

Royal emerge Under 16  badminton champions

Royal College junior shuttlers completed a dream week, ending the four year dominance of Ananda College, in the recently concluded Badminton Championships, held at St. Thomas' College, Bandarawela, from 18th to 22nd April.

The young Royalists displayed unbridled enthusiasm and commitment to topple formidable opponents. Their progress to the championship saw them defeat Nalanda College 3-1 in the pre-quarters, Dharmasoka College 3-0 in the quarters, Ananda College 3-0 in the semi finals, and  St Peters College Bambalapitiya 3-0 in the finals.  

The Champion Royal team was coached by Harsha Hettiarachchi and the Master in Charge was M. Manawadu.

The Champion team's shuttlers consisted of: Harindhu Hettiarachchi (Captain), Rushil Pasqual, Yasasri Athugala, Hashen Ramanayake, Dulanga Jayasinghe, Lasith Cooray and hamika Karunarathne (Youngest of the famous Karunarathne Brothers Niluka, Diluka and Dinuka)

With this win, Royal look set to be in the forefront of schools' badminton in the years to come.

Who is the treasurer?

A former Vice  President of the Sri Lanka Squash Federation (SLSF), Jeff Jacotine,has drawn the attention of the Secretary to the Ministry of Sports and Public Recreation, S.Liyanagama, regarding the appointment of Kelum Ketipearachchi as  the Treasurer of the SLSF.

Jacotine in his letter to the Sports Ministry Secretary on April 27, states that Mrs. Yasmin Zarook was elected uncontested as the Treasurer of the SLSF at its annual general meeting on March 27.

Subsequently, the President of the SLSF, Oliver Guruge, had informed the World Squash Federation (WSF) mentioning the name of Ketipearachchi as Treasurer of the SLSF.

Jacotine states that according to the Sports Law (Regulation No. 11 gazetted on May 7, 1974 No. 110/3) that the post of Treasurer could be filled only at a general meeting.

Sports Ministry Secretary, S.  Liyanagama, was not available for comment.

Collingwood accepts T20 captaincy

All-rounder Paul Collingwood will captain hosts England in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in June.

The 32-year-old has been given the job just nine months after he resigned as one-day skipper.

The 15-strong squad includes uncapped Graham Napier and Eoin Morgan and there are recalls for Kent skipper, Rob Key and Essex keeper James Foster.

Andrew Flintoff has been named subject to him regaining full fitness following surgery on his right knee.

Among those left out after being named in the provisional 30-man squad are fast bowler Steve Harmison, who was dropped from the Test squad earlier this week, all-rounder Samit Patel and keepers Matt Prior and Steve Davies.

But Prior had the consolation of being chosen for a squad of 14 to play three one-day internationals against West Indies later this month.

England were forced to look for a Twenty20 captain after the selectors decided last month that Andrew Strauss should concentrate on Test and 50-over cricket and with Kevin Pietersen apparently unwilling to take on the job and Flintoff injured, Collingwood became the clear favourite once he declared a willingness to give the job another go.

"This is an opportunity where I will be captaining for three weeks in a World Cup and that kind of opportunity doesn't come around every day.

"I thought long and hard about it and the last thing I wanted it to do was affect other parts of my game such as Test cricket - I don't think it will do so given it's just a three-week period," he said.

It was an approach from the team director Andy Flower during his recent Indian Premier League stint in South Africa, where he did not play a single game for Delhi Dare devils, which finally persuaded Collingwood to take the job.

"It was evident that he wanted me to do the job. When someone backs you as much as he did it gives you confidence and I think we can work very well together.

Daulagala  heads SAC Rugby Club

By Hafiz Marikar

Sportsmen and promoter Rohan Daulagala  was elected as the president of the St.Anthony's College, Katugasota, Rugby Club,  a man who deserves this position for all the good work he has done for the game of rugby at St.Anthony's  as a player and from the goal line.

Rohan Daulagala started and ended his education at St. Anthony's, where he played rugger as a second row forward, and was a good athlete and a smart cadet.  He represented the school at rugby form junior level and enjoyed a good season in 1988 under Leroy Fonseka.

Straight from school he joined the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force and gave his best in the battle field and also played rugger for the Special Task Force in the annual inter police tournament.

 He left the STF and joined the MAS Company, a leading garment manufacturer in the country. He lead the MAS rugger team in the Mercantile Sevens tournament, and became the first rugby captain of this company.

Daulai  as he is known to his friends, has done his best for the Antonian Rugby Club, and now  as President he is all out to give his best.

He is also a long standing committee member of the Kandy Sports Club, and has given his   support when ever it was needed.

Djokovic sets up Federer meeting

Reigning champion Novak Djokovic will play Roger Federer in the semi-final of the Rome Masters after they won their quarter-final matches in straight sets. Djokovic beat Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3 6-4, breaking the fifth seed three times in the first set.

Second seed Federer faced a stiffer challenge before beating German qualifier Mischa Zverev 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. And Spain's world number one Rafael Nadal also reached the last four with a 6-3 6-3 win over Fernando Verdasco. The scoreline did not do justice to Verdasco as Nadal secured a 28th consecutive victory on clay - his last defeat on the surface was to Juan Carlos Ferrero in the first round of this tournament last year.

The Spaniard hit 20 winners to Nadal's six, but tellingly, he also had double the unforced errors of his opponent. And while Nadal converted four of six break point chances, Verdasco only made one of his six count. Switzerland's Federer missed two set points in game 10 of the first set and then lost the first point of the tie-break on serve. But he bounced back quickly and took a 4-2 lead with a mini-break of his own from a trademark backhand cross-court pass.

Federer wrapped up the first set with a forehand pass as Zverev continued with his gameplan of attacking the net. And having broken the German's resistance, Federer romped away with the second set. Federer's victory sets up an intriguing semi-final with Djokovic, but the 13-time Grand Slam winner knows he will have to improve his game. "We haven't played each other that much on clay but he seems to be playing well again," said the 27-year-old. "He's come through convincingly against tough players so I hope I can play better against him than I did against Zverev.

" Djokovic, 21, is yet to drop a set in three matches in Rome and produced a commanding display to win in just under 100 minutes. "I tried to change the pace a lot because I know that Del Potro likes more or less the same pace and he moves really well for his height," he said. Three breaks in the opening set and an ace on set point underlined Djokovic's supremacy. Del Potro increased his first-serve accuracy in the second set, but he sent a backhand long at 15-40 in the fifth game to hand his opponent a decisive break.

The Argentine saved three match points before finally succumbing on the fourth, hitting a cramped forehand into the net. The other quarter-final is between Argentina's Juan Monaco, who knocked out Murray and Chile's Fernando Gonzalez.

Budget caps good for F1 - Button

Formula One championship leader Jenson Button has backed the introduction of a o40m budget cap from 2010.

The cap is part of a draft of proposals to shake up F1 announced by governing body the International Automobile Federation (FIA) on Thursday.

"For the manufacturers and the bigger teams I'm sure they don't want that, but for teams like Brawn we need that for the future," Button told BBC Sport.

"It's the way F1 has to go in the times that we are experiencing," he added.

F1 is dominated by manufacturers who are suffering in the global downturn with the result of slumping car sales, while Button's former team Japan's Honda pulled out of the sport in 2008.

"For the teams that are not manufacturers this is what we need," said Button speaking at the Sport Industry Awards for 2009.

"For us and Williams and a few other teams we'll be reasonably happy with the decision - it's going in the direction that we need it to."

However, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo claimed that the budget cap would result in a "fundamentally unfair and perhaps even biased" championship.

In a letter to FIA president Max Mosley, the Italian said: "Any controversy on the actual respect of the cost cap would undermine the image of F1 and could seriously damage any involved team."

Wenger backs Almunia's England bid

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has lent his backing to keeper Manuel Almunia's potential claim to play for England.

The Spaniard, who has said he would consider playing for England, will be eligible to apply for citizenship this summer having signed in 2004.

And that would enable the 31-year-old, who has never represented Spain, to play for England under Fabio Capello.

"If it is possible legally, why not? I believe he is not only good enough, but he is the best," said Wenger.

"There are international rules which have to be respected and then it is more a choice left to the English Football Association or to Manuel Almunia's desire."

Almunia, who joined Arsenal from Spanish side Celta Vigo, has previously expressed interest in representing England, saying: "They [Spain] have never, never called me.

"If other people want me, I have to study my situation and take a decision because it is good for me - I will not close myself to anything."The Arsenal number one produced a fantastic display in goal against Manchester United in Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat at Old Trafford.

And that was just one of a number of fine displays this campaign from the Spaniard, who overtook Jens Lehmann as the club's first-choice keeper last term.

It has raised questions of him possibly being called up by England, especially with Capello apparently yet to settle on a firm long-term fixture in goal.

David James is the current number one but, at 38, is arguably approaching the twilight years of his career, while the likes of Paul Robinson, Chris Kirkland, Robert Green and Ben Foster are also in contention.

But Wenger believes turning to a naturalised replacement such as Almunia is a viable option."It is down to what you expect morally and mentally from a national team," said the Frenchman. "I believe at some stage you have to observe just the rules and decide what you want.

"On the English side, for the national team, it is not so much a problem because if the guy decides to become English, he has had to observe and respect the rules like anybody else.

"Why should he then not be qualified to play for the national team? "It is more a moral problem maybe for Manuel Almunia, because does he consider he has a chance to play in the Spanish national team or not?"

Chamil, Chalani are top slicers

Chamil Cooray and 17-year-old Chalani Lakmali emerged champions of the men's and women's categories respectively at the Grand of Slam championship of the Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) held at its headquarters at Reid Avenue last month (April).

The men's and women's slicers were divided into two groups of eight cach and each had to complete seven matches of best of three sets. Over 400 matches were played in the three day tournament.

Cooray won the men's title beating Nishantha Fernando (18-25,25-23,25-15) though losing to the latter in the round-robin matches- Both won six matches each.

Chalani Lakmali won the women's title over Yasika Rahubaddha (10-25, 25-9, 25-11). Chalani won all her matches to be the only unbeaten player among both men and women.