A feast of runs

- By Br. Baptist Croos

Future looks bleak for sports crazy Panadura

By Marcus Joseph

Over five decades ago, particularly during the Golden Era of St. John's College and flourishing schools such as St. Anthony's and Sri Sumangala College, Panadura produced several outstanding schoolboys and girls who performed exceptionally well in the field of sports most of whom later excelled in first class competitions and some rose to international fame. K. Edwin, Dixon Kotelawala and Merril de Silva (Boxing), Hugh Scharenguivel, Dhanasiri Weerasinghe, G.C. Roberts, Douglas Ramanayake and Caldera brothers, Cecil, Karl, Terrence and Hugh (cricket), Upali Gooneratne, Chandra Senanayake, Merril de Silva (Athletics), Caldera brothers, Adikaram brothers, K. Edwin, and Nelson Fernando (Hockey), Stanley Senanayake and W.W. Joseph (Swimming). This is only a handful of famous sportsmen and many are those whose names have not been mentioned here.

Incidentally all of them are Johnians and it must be mentioned that almost all the great cricketers who represented Panadura Sports Club in first class cricket during this period were Johnians, some of whom played while still at school.

The writer is of opinion that the situation began to deteriorate four decades ago which led to the downfall of sports activities at Panadura as could be witnessed today. There are a few reasons which could be attributed to this fall. The main reason was the private schools opted to come under state control. This led to various problems such as lack of funds to keep sports going, lack of qualified coaches and with these lack of interest shown by the school authorities for promotion of sports and lack of interest shown by young players who were either burdened with after -school studies or other amusements to keep them away from practices.
 
 

Countdown to the Olympics : 144 days 6

2000 Sydney Olympic Games

By Annesley Ferreira 

A city with a population of four million, Sydney would establish itself as the perfect venue for extraordinary performances that would be witnessed throughout the fourteen days. The scandals and other Olympic concerns will pale into insignificance as the Australian organizers that planned and devoted their talents and efforts for about 75 months to put the best show on earth - are acknowledged throughout the world. 

Soon after the International Olympic Committee awarded the games to Sydney in 1993, the New South Wales government appointed Michael Knight (A labour government member) as the Minister for the Olympics and President of the Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG). 

Knight put it in position an elaborate machinery to host what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials and Sydney organizers expect will be a well-run games. Infrastructing the most advanced venues, with efficient transportation system, hosting more than 10,000 athletes and as many as 250,000 visitors and pumping $ 1.1 Billion into the local economy most serious being a $ 200 Million shortfall in the budget - projected at $ 2.2 Billion to $2.6 Billion- despite TV revenues of about $1.0 Billion. 

The facility of the stadiums at the Sydney Games are overwhelming. 

The main stadium in Homebush Bay, 15 miles outside Sydney, has 110,000 multicoloured seats, costing $600 Million. IOC President, Juan Antonio Samaranch says "The best Olympic Stadium ever" The stadium is vast, colourful and fan-friendly, with all the luxuries of any modern sports facility. 

The new 18,000 seat arena for Basketball and Gymnastics facility, includes special suites. 

The Baseball Park will seat 15,000 fans. 

Other competition sites will be well linked by mass transportation: Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling at Darling Harbour. 

Sailing at Rushcutters Bay. 

Canoe and Kayak at Penrith Lakes. 

Cycling at Dunc Gray Velodrome

Sydney Olympics will stage the first triatholon outside the world famous opera house in full view of the picturesque Sydney harbour. Taekwondo is another new Olympic Sport. Soccer will be held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, and Melbourne with the finals in Sydney. 

As the Centenial 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games showed remarkable American performances - the Summer Games at the Sydney Olympics will bring out some of the most stunning performances by the sports crazy Australians in several feats of extraordinary excellence. 

The 12,500 seat Sydney International Aquatic Stadium will be center of Australian supremacy in Aquatic sports. This state-of-the-art facility is so futuristic it is unbelievably superior to any facility in the world. Australian teenage sensation, Ian Thorpe, will lead a powerful Aussie team for the gold haul that would deny American supremacy in Swimming.

The center stage and the blue riband of athletic events will focus on the 100 metres sprint when Maurice Green will run a possible blistering world record and lower his present one and declare himself as the "World's Fastest Human." On June 16, 1999 when Maurice Green broke the world record in track's most important event in Athens, it bewildered the world with a superhuman run of 9.79 doubting anyone would match it until he meets a galaxy of superhuman sprinters in September at the Sydney Olympics. The evolution of the 100 metres saga took 87 years - between 1912 when the first recorded 100 metres to Maurice's in 1999. - in itself is facinating, for it took just 14 sprinters to lower the 100 metres by just 8/10ths of a second. Here is the evolution of that saga. 

Sprinter                      Country               Year      Mark       Years held 
Maurice Green           United States       1999        9.79           3
Donovan Bailey             Canada            1996        9.84           2
Leroy Burrell              United States      1994        9.85           3 
Carl Lewis                 United States       1991        9.86           0
Leroy Burrell             United States       1991        9.90            3
Carl Lewis                 United States      1988        9.92            5
Calvin Smith              United States       1983        9.93          15
Jim Hines                  United States       1968        9.95            8
Armin Hary             West Germany      1960       10.0             4
Willie Williams           United States       1956       10.1           20
Jesse Ownes             United States       1936       10.2             6
Percy Williams             Canada             1930       10.4             9
Charles Paddock       United States        1921       10.4             9
Donald Lippincott      United States        1912       10.6             7

Ben Johnson's records of 9.97 in 1988 Seoul Olympic Games and 9.83 in 1987 were erased after he tested positive for the steroid stanozlol. 

Courtesy the Olympian, Track & Field News in association with C.Vijitha Fernando/Duncan White Sports Foundation.

The best way to overcome match-fixing and betting...

Confiscate all ill-gotten wealth

By Bernie Wijesekera

Unlike in the past, today's players are well paid and they are enjoying life on the lap of luxury. With all this abundant tax free earnings they stoop to low levels at the expense of the game by getting involved with bookmakers in betting scandals which have polluted and destroyed the fundamentals of this glorious game of uncertainties.

Not Isolated

It also attributes to weak management and the respective controlling bodies not enforcing stringent measures to nip it in the bud. The best way to overcome this malady is the confiscation of all ill-gotten wealth.

This was noticed when a senior journalist from India commented in the match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Sharjah. Look bookmakers are around the corner. Later the very journalist who made these comments was involved in the scandal, today he is no longer a journalist.

Aren't these players have an obligation by the country to preserve its image even if they are lured by black money. Shouldn't they live with honour and die with dignity? Is money the thing in life?. Will black money, give unwarranted happiness? Aren't they tarnishing not only their image, but also their kith and kin?

The greatest cricketing legend - Sir Donald Bradman, who has reached the nervous '90s is now leading a humble life in South Australia. He has an unblemished record todate which will be hard to beat even in the 21st century. He never went for money during his time or gave his name for advertising unlike today's cricketers, worldwide. Bradman shunned publicity. Simplicity was his code-world.

He lives in a cottage all alone. Even today he's much revered and fans throng to see him. He never drove in limousines. He never went for money but money came behind him. If he did get some money it was for community service in the name of God. It was spent for the development of the skills among the less affluent at grassroots level. Never gave his name for cheap advertising. During his time the game was confined only to England, S. Africa, New Zealand at the start of his career. But later joined by West Indies and India. But still he created records. To Sir Don, kind words are short, but easy to speak. Their echoes are truly long lasting. He always respected authority on and off the field. What sort of community service these new-rich sportsmen do to help the have-nots. Some talk eloquently of Ahimsa and fellowship etc. But at the same time sell their name for advertising which has no values but which gives a pain of mind on the longer run. Even in Sri Lanka in the past there were sportsmen who led a humble life. Even at the height of their career they never went for money, but spent their money to be in the game. To them playing for the country was uppermost not monetary gain. But times have changed. 

The present sportsmen deserve all the kudos and fringe benefits for their sweat. But at the same time they must not disgrace the game and tarnish their image by going for black money. 

There were quite a number of sportsmen in Sri Lanka who led a humble life like Bradman. One good example was Vernon Prins, "the Prince among cricketers". He hasn't records like Bradman's to crow about. But he spent his own limited resources to play the game in the correct spirit and also helped others in their hour of need. 

This former Old Thomian who could be tagged as "Gentleman Jim of Cricket" today ekes out a living all by himself with dignity. He has not much to look forward to in the evening of his life. He was a Policeman, who even sacrificed his job to play the game which was his first love. He was transferred to Kalutara but resigned the job. Vernon too believes in Faith and Karma. Today he may not enjoy a favourable balance of payment but still leads an honest life sans fringe benefits, which never accrued to him at the height of his career. 

At present some Pakistani cricketers are involved in the betting scandal. This attributes to lack of proper guidance at the start of their career. Pakistan, too was not short of players in the past, who commanded respect and honour. One of them was diminutive Hanif Mohamed. The first lesson given to him by his coach, former Pakistani Captain Mian Saeed was: Remember one thing, he said 'never be boastful when you make runs. Never raise your collar and behave as if you are a gift from Gods'. 'Always remain humble. Respect people, respect the game and keep on playing harder'. 

'Sir, I am never boastful when I score runs and I am always respectful and humble' he told him. His advice always echoed in his ears whenever he went to play in a match. Even today in his retirement his natty dress speaks volumes. Only talks about the game and its development. Nothing other than cricket. The cornerstone to his success was due to the guidance and the first lesson given to him by his coach. This is something that our local coaches, especially at school at the start should strive to instill in their charges. But due to competitive cricket at the junior level and to win at all cost, it's lacking in some quarters. The kids must be taught to be honest and take defeat in life at the start of their career - a stepping stone for a better future. The first lesson given to Hanif is a good example.

Basil is off to Singapore

Basil Rodrigo was not only a ruggerite but also a National Judoka (Shodan Black Belt Holder) National Gymnast, Old Bens Soccer player and a swimming Instructor. He thanks Y.C Chang, Chairman DC SLRFU and Mohan Balasuriya, Deputy President SLRFU for selecting him for the above course. Basil is the late T.V Artiste Granville Rodrigo's elder brother.

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