What ails National Amateur Aquatic Sports

1. Two of the five references, all of which are attributed to callers, are in respect of the selection of two swimmers to the Olympic Games to be held in Sydney in September-October 2000.

Ordinarily, participation in the Olympic Games is restricted to those reaching minimum qualifying standards, specified as 'A' and 'B' qualifying standards, in the respective sports. In the case of swimming, however, FINA (the world governing body for aquatic sports) permits the participation of two swimmers - one man and one woman - who have not reached even the 'B' qualifying standards, in one competition each. Since none of our swimmers has reached even the 'B' qualifying standard, NAASU, under the guidance of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC), has sought to make use of the opportunity afforded under this proviso. The NAASU Selection Committee, operating within the guidelines set by the NOC, has made its recommendations for selection of two swimmers to the NOC, giving reasons for same. The due selection process has thus been adhered to, and final approval is awaited.

2. Regarding participation in diving at 14th Asia Pacific Age Group Swimming & Diving Championships (APAG).

The main issue raised centres around the participation of "an ageing diver, Janaka Biyanwala". Mr. Biyanwala participated in the Age Group Swimming & Diving Championships, which served as a trial for the 14th APAG, and in terms of his achievement was recommended for selection for the APAG for diving in the 'Open' category. The NAASU fully endorses the recommendation of the Selection Committee in respect of Mr. Biyanwala. 

Only 9 months back, in September 1999, this "ageing diver" participated in the Netherlands National Championships, and came first in the 3 metre Spring Board Diving event. Mr. Biyanwala was the sole Gold Medal winner for Sri Lanka at the APAG Championships held in Sri Lanka in 1995. Incidentally, your columnist may not be aware that at the 1996 Olympic Games, amongst the medal winners in diving, was a 35-year-old, Mary Allen Clark of the U.S.A. The diving squad too was selected on the basis of achievement at the trial. NAASU takes the view that exposure to overseas competitions is necessary for promising divers in order to register advances in this aquatic sport. As for the statement that "we have no qualified or competent coach and diving officials are all pretenders having no clue to judge diving", your columnist in charge of a sports desk would have done well to check the facts before regurgitating this comment of an unnamed "past diver". 

The availability of more coaches and judges would certainly be a welcome development. It is precisely as a step towards achieving this goal that NAASU in April 2000 conducted a FINA Diving Coaches Clinic, which was attended by Diving Judges as well. However, it is not fair to cast aspersions on the present number who have obtained qualifications and experience, and are rendering yeomen service in these areas. Recently, at the request of the parents of our more promising divers, NAASU took certain initiatives to assist these divers in the aspect of coaching and provision of the facilities. In regard to judges, it will be agreed that the FINA lists its diving judges on the basis of competence. If all Sri Lankan diving officials were "pretenders", how come then that the FINA Diving Judges List for 2000 includes 5 Sri Lankans in this category, and one of them served as a Diving Judge at the Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, as well as at APAG Championships held in the recent years, including the one held in Sri Lanka in 1995? Your columnist should have no difficulty in obtaining clarification from the organizers of the APAG Championships held in Sri Lanka in 1995 on the deployment of "pretenders" as diving judges at that Meet.

3. On the question of sending a Waterpolo Team to the Asia Pacific Waterpolo Tournament being held in Hong Kong.

NAASU has again proceeded on the basis of the need for overseas exposure, particularly for the younger players. 

In its endeavour to effect improvement in this aquatic sport, NAASU conducted in February 2000 a FINA Waterpolo Referees Clinic, attended also by Coaches. It was the recommendation of the Lecturer who conducted the Clinic that our players should have exposure to foreign competition of a higher standard in order to improve the game and to keep abreast of its latest developments. A pool of players were in regular training from January 2000, and it was from this pool that the final team was selected .

I shall be grateful if this response is given the same prominence as that given to the article of 30th July. Aside from the above responses to the references made in the article, I would be glad to be given an opportunity very shortly to outline some of the positive aspects of NAASU's work, which have had no coverage in your columns, thus far.

K. Austin Perera,
President,
NAASU.

The importance of the media 

By Annesley Ferreira 

The first Millennium 2000 Sydney Olympics will have a record attendance of media personnel covering the games in unprecedented terms. The most advanced and state-of-the-information technology would be deployed to relay the Olympic events and achievements to any part of the globe that were never reached before. It is estimated that more than three and one-half billion people would benefit from a multitude of media delivery surpassing all other Olympiads and set the face of the next Olympics in Athens, Greece, where it all began. The image most people in the world have of the Olympic Games is the image presented by the media. 

Continuing the presentation of the courageous and outrageous Olympic events, here are a few more:

Ron Clarke of Australia never won a Gold in the Olympic Games - however he did come to possess one through the generosity of a former Olympian. Clarke set 21 world records at distances ranging from two miles to 20,000 metres and won countless honours between 1956 and 1968. In the five events Clarke participated at the 1964 Tokyo Games and 1968 Mexico City Games, managed only a Bronze. Sensing his friend's despair, Emil Zatopek of Czechoslovakia, the four time Gold medalist, invited Clarke to his Prague home and gave him a small gift, urging him to not to unwrap it until he left Emil's home. When Clarke opened the gift, he was bewildered - in it was one of Emil's Gold medals, with a short note which read: "Dear Ron, you are the greatest runner ever and should have won an Olympic Gold. I have four, and that is too much for one person. I want you to have one of mine." Signed, "Your dear friend, Emil."

American schoolgirl, 16-year-old Bebbie Meyer, became the first woman to win three individual swimming Golds in the 200, 400 and 800 metres free styles at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. Debbie established all three Olympic records and never before contested by a woman.

American Indian of Sioux tribe, Billy Mills, won a race for the first time in his life. Mills was such an unknown that the Olympic village store that dispensed running shoes free to athletes made Billy pay. Shedding anonimity Mills won the 10,000 metres in an Olympic record time of 28:24.4 at the 1964 Tokyo Olympiad, with a spectacular sprint in the last 60 metres beating Tunisia's Mahamed Gammoudi and Australia's Ron Clarke, the world record holder for the event, and disposed the defending champion Pyotr Bolotnikov of USSR. So overjoyed, Mills said, "I am flabbergasted, can't believe it, perhaps I was the only one who thought I had a chance." Orphaned at 13, Mills attended an Indian School, Haskell Institute in Kansas. No American before Mills or after has been able to win the men's Olympic 10,000 metres.

The most ambitious athlete in Olympic history belongs to C.I. Singh, who represented his country India in the exhausting decathlon at the 1948 London Olympics. Entering the marathon, Singh didn't have the energy to finish the 26.2 mile race, much to the disappointment of his team. Whenever the Olympic Games are threatened by political protests or disrupted by acts of terror, as was the case in 1968 and 1973, whenever the games are diminished by massive boycotts, as was the case in 1976, 1980 and 1984, the International Olympic Committee and most of the world's sports media lament the intrusion of politics into the domain of sports. As to how far Sri Lanka's Olympic selection has been driven is well demonstrated in the final selection of our representation to the Olympics. 

[In association with C. Vijitha Fernando, Trustee, Duncan White Sports Foundation]

Tea Traders' get-together

By Bernie Wijesekera

According to a senior official, the CTTA, is making all arrangements for this annual sports festival cum get-together in the Hill country. This is a much looked forward to event in its calendar. It's a rendezvous for the rank and file to promote fellowship, he added.

Tea trade is the main hub of Sri Lanka's ecomomy. Besides indulging in sport activities it will also bring about understanding for its further development, he added. The following sports will be worked off - rugby, bowling, badminton, tennis, cricket, snooker, golf and squash.

The main event will be the cricket match - over-40 at Radella. Some outstanding cricketers of yester year will be seen in action. The president of the Cricket Board, Thilanga Sumathipala will be the chief guest. The guests of honour - Arjuna Ranatunga and Anslem Perera, Chairman Mlesna Tea.

Rugby match will kick-off on Sunday 13 - CTTA Planters - at Radella. This tie will focus much attention. The planters are sure to impress. Chief guest is R.L. Juriensz, chairman CTTA.

On the same day badminton and snooker will be staged at the Talawekelle Club. Bowling and tennis at Maturata Club in the morning - starting at 8.30 a.m. Golf will tee off at the N'eliya Golf Club course.

Last year CTTA emerged overall champions. The tour will end up on August 14, with an excursion to Randenigala Boat House - followed by a dinner dance at Radella Club.

Markham boy to tee it up with lil' Tigers

By Mark Atchison 

Gajan Sivabalasingham, the 6-year-old golf phenom from Markham who has been likened to PGA sensation Tiger Woods - he started playing at a similar age - has been selected to represent Canada at the 22-nation US Kids World Championship at Jekyl Island, Ga., August 12-14.

Gajan will be the youngest golfer ever to represent Canada at an international competition. He will be among nine Canadian players - seven boys and two girls - who will make the trip to the Georgia course, located just north of Jacksonville, Fla.

The Grade 2 pupil earned a berth on Team Canada by shooting an amazing 65 on the par-65 junior course at Oak Gables golf club near Hamilton recently. His round consisted of 11 pars, two birdies, an eagle and four bogeys.

Gajan, who recently received a letter of encouragement and an autographed picture from his hero Woods, will also be the only Canadian player in the event with a sponsor.

Just like Tiger, who is paid millions each year to wear corporate names like Nike, Buick and Titleist on his clothing, Gajan will wear a logo during the tournament - Cybermation. The software development company based in Markham has offered him a sponsorship.

The deal, however, does not include Wood-like money. Cybermation will cover Gajan's travel and accommodation expenses, as well as supply him with some new clothes (complete with Cybermation logo, of course) for the event.

"Gajan's just a really nice young man," said Ray Nissan, Chairman and founder of Cybermation. "It's really exciting for us to help in the development of a promising young talent like Gajan," said Nissan, who will travel to Georgia to see Gajan compete.

The US Kids tournament will be for golfers between the ages of 6 and 12 and competition will be divided into age groups. Some of the 22 countries sending players include Great Britain, Sweden, Italy, France, Germany, Japan and, of course, the United States.

US Kids is a company that makes clubs and clothing for young golfers. The tournament will be televised by the Fox Network and aired in November.

"He's very excited about playing against golfers from around the world," said Gajan's father, Marimuthu Sivabalasingham. "We were a bit nervous about him playing in an international event because he is so young.

"I asked some professional golfers, like Ben Kern (head pro at Devil's pulpit, who represented Canada at many international tournaments) and he advised me to send Gajan. He said the exposure would be good for him and it would help determine whether or not he wants to continue."

Gajan first picked up a golf club at the age of 4 and shot an 85 from the junior tees, his first time out. Rather amazing when you consider the United States Golf Association estimates 90 per cent of all golfers cannot break 100 on a regular basis.

Since his golfing exploits first came to light in The Star two years ago, Gajan has been the subject of numerous articles and television interviews. However, his father says all the publicity hasn't changed Gajan.

'He's just a normal little boy who likes to watch cartoons and do all the things children are supposed to do. I wanted to get him involved in gold so I would have a partner to play with", said Sivabalasingham, who admits to shooting in the "mid-to-high 80s."

He also said a child psychologist visits regularly with Gajan to help "keep him focused".

David Bartlett, US Kids's Ontario representative and the man who organized the qualifying tournament, said he was amazed at how good some of the young golfers were.

"Gajan was great and some of the 8- and 9-year-olds had exceptional swings," said Bartlett.

"In all, we had 65 kids try and qualify for the world event here in Ontario that's pretty impressive when you think some American states, with far bigger populations, could only attract 70 to 80 kids.

"It's really amazing how young the kids start playing the game today," said Bartlett.

The female members of Team Canada are: Laura Hildebrandt, 9, of Ancaster and 12-year-old Anita Gahir of Thornhill. The boys' team consists of: Elliott Whitley, 76, of Stoney Creek; Jacob Ohanian, 8, Stoney Creek; Nic Halliday, 9, Caledonia; Mike OudyK, 10, Oshawa; Adam Wilson, 11, Port Colbeone; and Dan Di Francesco, 12, Thornhill.

(Courtesy Toronto Star)

Tennis gets major boost from Ole

Under the sponsorship agreement, the Mini-Tennis programme will be known as the Mirinda Mini-Tennis Programme. "With its simple rules, light weight racquets, balls and minimal use of technique, Mirinda Mini-Tennis is an instant success with children between the ages 5 to 10 years", said Perera. Perera was hopeful that the large network and advertising strategy of Mirinda could assist in the promotion of tennis.

At present Mirinda Mini-Tennis is played by over 15,000 children around Sri Lanka, of which 7,000 are in the outstations. Mirinda Mini-Tennis is presently played in schools in Colombo, Kandy and Negombo. Four schools in Batticaloa will be introduced to Mirinda Mini-Tennis at the beginning of next term. This will increase the number of children playing Mirinda Mini-Tennis to 10,000 in the outstation areas.

Lalith Withana, President, SLTA, described the sponsorship package as a "boost to tennis and to the 15,000 children already playing Mirinda Mini-Tennis." With the Rs. 750,000/- it receives per year the SLTA will organise a tournament for these very young children in September and also conduct regional inter- schools tournaments as well. This sponsorship will benefit a large number of young children in the future too. "We plan to introduce Mirinda Mini-Tennis to other outstation areas within the next twelve months," he added. He also said that the SLTA is in the process of importing equipment and training accessories which will benefit the very best players in the country as well as the very young too. Angelo Patrick, Finance Director, Ole Springs was optimistic for the future of Sri Lanka tennis. He expressed his unhappiness at the decline in the standard of tennis in the outstations in the last two decades. The reasons for these are many, he stressed, with the major reason being the manner in which the sport was administered. He expressed his satisfaction with the current restructuring in the administration, and greater emphasis being placed on the revival of the game in the provinces and bringing Sri Lanka back to its position of eminence. "We would like to lend our support in the achievement of these objectives. Our brands are associated with sports all over the world, with Pepsi being synonymous with cricket. In Sri Lanka we have now decided to associate Mirinda with tennis", he said.

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