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28th January 2001

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Rover Pinpoint....

Loud mouth is mum now?

The much agitated loud mouth over the rights of motorcyclists bit his own words at the Ratnapura Road races. His fight for two-wheelers saw them race against four wheel events!

Favours granted

A top official of the Cricket Board, has granted his nephew permission to lay the floor and wall titles, at a tidy sum of course in the building of the new Dambulla Stadium.

Susanthika objects?

Earlier it was Sunil Gunawardena's lawyers who objected on his behalf of the two appointees to conduct an inquiry against him by six athletes. Now Susanthika Jayasinghe is objecting to the two new appointees to conduct the inquiry. Who is dictating terms to whom?

Biasness?

A leading swimming coach from a Colombo School who wanted to attend the Level 2 coaches' clinic was not admitted to the clinic as he has not followed Level 1. How is it that several others, with no interest in swimming, were allowed to follow the clinic including a schoolboy? Rover also learns that the numbers exceeded the amount which is allowed under normal circumstances.

Win at any cost

A leading school from Kalutara district taking part in football is being scrutinised for playing two players with forged ID cards. The Principal of this school has signed the ID cards with or without his knowledge. These forgeries have been done at the Milo Inter-schools under 16 age group.

Computers lying idle

The newly built AAA headquarters, which is air-conditioned, has provided the 'big mouth' with software in his room, which he does not know how to even operate. One wonders from where the money was raised to purchase them.

.Heard this?

A senior sports reporter has been taken to task on the instructions of a big wig of the Board of Control for Cricket for failing to alight to greet the Minister of Sports at the site of the Dambulla Stadium.

It all happened this way. All journalists after the inspection of the site had boarded the private bus to Colombo. Orders had then gone out that everybody should get down and greet the Minister. The Minister had then inquired as to who had come from the House by the Beira, and where he was. Rover learns that the incident has been reported to the higher authorities as the style of writing by this particular journalist has angered those in command. What a way to hit back?

In tears

The President of the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka was running from pillar to post at the Sports Ministry grounds in order to make arrangements to lay the foundation stone for their long awaited headquarters on the promised land given by the former Minister of Sports.

When the Netball President was making arrangements for the function, she was confronted by two Ministry officials and a former official who had shown displeasure in conducting the ceremony stating that the particular spot had been ear-marked for a hostel.

Franatic calls from the President to the former Minister ended on a sour note and the lady was in tears and the foundation stone was ultimately laid at the auspicious time of 12.25 p.m. by the Director of Sports Milton Amarasinghe. Very few, however, witnessed the whole dismal episode.

Winning votes

A trip was arranged for five sports bodies to have their respective sports on the agenda at the forthcoming SAF Games in Pakistan in September this year by the NOC. Tennis got the chop while sports such as rifle-shooting, kabadi, wrestling and volleyball received the nod.

Even though this trip was educative, Rover learns since the SAF Games will take place in Sri Lanka in 2003, it was as if a test was being held for the forthcoming NOC AGM to be held in March instead of June as usual. Why the hurry to win. Is it because the tide is favourable?

Under 13 cager tour

Who authorised the co-ordinator to print letter heads under the name of Colombo District (South Zone?)

Why two teams (36 players) only from Colombo District South Zone and who approved this selection?

Is a vice president from the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, who recently attended the Asian Basketball Confederation Meeting, responsible for this arrangement?

If two teams are going to Malaysia how many officials have been selected to go on tour? Is the vice president of the SLBF also an official?

Why request players to collect a total sum of Rs. 800,000/- only for the tour.What about the collection for the officials?

Why no other zones

According to the co-ordinator the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation together with the Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association has initiated this tour. If so, why players from other zones were not invited for trials and not been selected for the team?

Is an under 13 national team or under 15 mini basketball team which has been invited for the tour? This has puzzled the parents to a great extent.

Why didn't the Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association send letters of invitation to other zones?

Whose responsibility?

Who will take theresponsibility for funds collected for the tour and the arrangements made in Malaysia?

How many matches have been arranged and the number of days this tour will last?

Over to SLBF President

Will the President SLBF take stern action against the office-bearers of the SLBF and SLSBA, who are responsible in misleading the young, in whose hands the future ofthe game lies.


No regrets in joining the Lanka Army, says Brig. Jayawardena

By Bernie Wijesekera

"The Army is one of the best institutions one could serve. I have no regrets. It taught me human values and facts about life," said Brig Jupana Jayawardena, when interviewed by The Sunday Times. He retired after serving 31 years in December 2,000.

Brig. J.P.A., an outstanding product from Trinity, was one of the best scrum-halves who served from the base for his school, club Havelocks SC and for Sri Lanka, before he joined the Army in 1970.

In just one year's rugby for the Hill Capital School (1966) under Glen Vanlangenberg earned him the Trinity 'Lion'. Besides rugby, he played hockey, too. He paired off well with Glen Vanlangenberg for Trinity. As schoolboys both played for Up Country in the Capper Cup against Low Country. Later on the duo dazzled for the Havies and for Sri Lanka.

"In 1970, I joined the Army despite opposition from my parents. My teammates, especially those who played with me joined the Plantation fraternity and the private sector. I had second thoughts and was determined to join and loved the Army.

Two people who inspired me were Brig. Ramanayake whilst watching me playing for the Havies and late Gen. Sepala Attygalle. I am grateful to them for their advice.

In Army life there are ups and downs and may come under pressure. But at all times must maintain its dignity and preserve its image," he stated.

Rugby career

"I have served in the North and East, besides serving in Colombo even during trying times. Though I am retired I will still strive to give something back in whatever way," he added.

"In my first year in 1966, under Glen Vanlangenberg it proved a Red Letter Day in the Bradby Shied first-leg against Royal, in Colombo. Royal leading 3-nill. Just before the long whistle a scrum ensued close to the line. I corkscrewed over the line to make it 3-nill. In the second leg we beat them 12-3 to win the shield. This team had the likes of Mohan Balasuriya, Ajit Abeyratne, Gogi Tillekeratne, 'Mark' Suntheralingam, Van-Langanberg and me. Barring Mohan and Ajit (CR&FC) - the rest tied up with the Havies. It was sheer delight to pair off with Glen. We played with understanding. His booming kicks to touch were a winning factor. Glen excelled in cricket too.

"I was happy to play for the Park Club before I joined the Army. In 1967, under Gamini, won the Clifford Cup and in '68 under Noel Brohier won the Clifford Cup again defeating CR&FC. In '68 I played for Sri Lanka in the All India tournament. But in 1969 lost the Clifford Cup final to Kandy SC which team included Denzil Kobbekaduwa, (my idol) Y.C. Chang, Dr. Makulolluwa, to name a few.

"It was great to match the skills from the base with Denzil. I learnt much from him besides rugby. His human values was his secret for success in life. Later he became my coach in the Army along with Bertie Dias, who was also scrum-half.

The Army rugby team during my time was a force to be recokned. There were tough players besides S.P. De Silva the likes of Saliya Udugama, Edwin, Ruparatne, hooker Rodrigo, Jayah, Weerasinghe (now a tennis coach), fly-half Haren Malwatte just to name a few. Times have changed. Today very few outstanding sportsmen join the Army or the other services.

"During my era the game was very competitive and had to confront against tough, strong and burly forwards drawn from the plantations and the private sector (foreigners). It turned out to be a bruising battle between the forwards. No quarter given none asked for. The locals matched them to the hilt. They are fit and disciplined and played skilful rugby to match their opponents. The result was forgotten. There were big crowds to watch the Army matches at Galle Face - to the echo of Go Army, Go!

"Despite exigencies of duty the Army with the available resources kept the game alive with the rural youth, who have taken to the sport after joining the Army. Thanks to the then Commander Gen. Rohan Daluwatte, was able to get down two foreign players (Fijians) to strengthen the team, thereby boost the team's morale to match the clubs.

In 1999, as chairman of the rugby section, I was able to get a foreign coach from Australia - Kelvin Farrington. The lads learnt much from his knowledge, to induldge in skilful rugby."

Asked in what way he has helped the game as an administrator, the Brigadier said he was a selector. Secretary of the SLRFU under President, Malik Samarawickrema. Vice-President to Gamini Fernando in 1992-'93. Ultimately emerged as the chairman of the SLRFU in 1994.

Refs society

"In 1999-2000 I took over the reigns of the Refs. Society. Did much to bring about discipline and togetherness among the rank and file. Be it cricket or rugby the adjudicators play a decisive role for the improvement and its development. During my tenure no one was indispensable. Avenues were open to all, who were dedicated, even with foreign exposure.

It takes two to make a quarrel. I was able to bring about sanity before I relinquished office. United we stand, divided we fall" soft spoken Jayawardena added.


The South African Experience

Over the past couple of weeks many expert ideas have been bandied around connected with Sri Lanka's dismal showing in South Africa.

Prepare fast bouncing pitches at home. Sanath should not open the batting. Selectors must watch matches to know whom they are selecting.

Why was not another fast bowler on tour? Why cannot Whatmore do something about the batting techniques? Sangakkara should not go at the top of the order.

These and many more quotes all have some relevance. Perhaps, should Sri Lanka fare well in New Zealand and have a good home series against England all these will be forgotten and forgiven!

This must not be the case. Definitely some corrective action must be taken. Or else, Sri Lankan cricketers will never perform well consistently in Australia and South Africa. My thinking is that three areas of the game must be dwelt on immediately.

School Cricket

Except for a short tournament at the end of the season there should be no limited over cricket at school level.

Batsmen should be given every opportunity to develop technique, rather than try to hit the ball to all parts of the ground simply to collect some runs in the allotted overs.

They must bat regularly with close catchers around the bat. That is the pressure youngsters must be subjected to.

They must learn how to handle deliveries on and out side off stump and the short pitched delivery.

Top order batsmen must learn to concentrate for long periods of time, pacing an innings out.

Similarly, bowlers should hone their skills. Pace bowlers should master swing, change of pace, bowling yorkers and other variations. Spin bowlers must deliver with flight and guide. Also, learning all the variations attached to their trade. They must set attacking fields, and bowl to them purposefully with the idea of dismissing the batsman.

None of these are possible when there are overs restrictions in operation. It curbs and curtails the natural development of players and stunts the learning process of the finer arts of the game.

Inter-Club

Come what may, the Inter-Club Division One season must go on between September and March. This is the main tournament in this country and the players must be continuously engaged during this period of time.

Each club must play between 15 to 20 - three day games and between 12 to 15 one day games during this period. The game should be arranged in a mixed itinerary so that players are regularly in touch with both forms of the game.

It is in this way that players who are not directly involved with international cricket can take that step, should they be required at short notice.

Each team must also have the services of a professional coach/manager to give the required guidance to the players. Financial rewards being offered should also given added boost to the participants.

Pitches

Guidelines must be set to all ground authorities who prepare pitches for Division One games.

The surfaces must have the maximum possible pace and bounce with a reasonable covering of grass. Such pitches breed good cricketers, where batsmen, pace bowlers and spinners all have the opportunity to develop their skills.

Assistance in terms of expertise, machinery and materials must be provided. Pitches must be evaluated by the officiating umpires. There should be regular meetings of the ground authorities to discuss and sort out all problems.

Continuous maintenance during the season and off season renovations must be carried out to nurture the playing square.

Correct breeding, competitive domestic cricket and quality pitches are the urgent needs for the game at this moment. Important lessons from the South African experience.


South Asian Tennis starts today

"Sri Lanka's best 12 junior boys and girls battle it out with players from another 7 countries today at the ITF South Asian 14 and Under Tennis Championships at the SLTA premises.

"I am confident that Franklin Emmanuel, N.S. Nishendran and Amrith Rupasinghe, our best three boys players can beat almost all these foreign players on their day," said Sudantha Soysa, coach of the Sri Lanka contingent. "Oshada Wijemanne is also capable of pulling off many upsets. Our boys have been training real hard, sometimes 6 to 8 hours a day.

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The boys are really motivated and serious about their tennis and sometimes I get them to go slow in the fear that they may over exert themselves, which may result in burnout," he said. "The girls are very young, Amitha Arulpragasam is just 10 years, while, other than Jancy Paramanathan, the other four girls are just 12 years old or younger. Jancy can do reasonably well," said Soysa. Sudantha Soysa complimented the SLTA for providing unlimited access of courts and balls for training these young players. "In my opinion the SLTA is moving in the right direction to produce a champion", he further said.

The countries that could be seen in action are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Burma, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. The South Asian Championships consists of a three-day training camp under ITF Development Officer Suresh Menon, and two feed-in consolation tournaments.

Feed-in consolation means even if a player loses in the first or second round he plays another loser of that round. At the end of the tournament each player will be ranked from 1 to 32 and players are awarded points depending on their rankings.

For example, the top player is awarded 300 points, while the second is awarded 200.

As there are two tournaments, a player's points in both tournaments will be added to arrive at a placing from 1 to 32. The advantage of having two tournaments is to compensate a player who does not fare well in the first tournament. He could do well in the second and increase his overall total points.

The Sri Lanka boys' contingent consists of Franklin Emmanuel, N.S. Nishendran, Amrith Rupasinghe, Oshada Wijemanne, Sashivaran Sabanathan and Udith Wickremansinghe, while the girls' team consists of the two sisters, Jancy and Bincy Paramanathan, Shanki Dandeniya, D. Premananda, Tiyumi Abeysinghe and Amitha Arulpragasam. Based on a player's performance at these two tournaments, a player may be selected to participate at the ITF East Asian 14 and Under Championships in April 2001.

All players are accommodated at the Trans Asia Hotel during their stay in Sri Lanka.

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