• Pakistan outplayed 
• Ann, Keshani lower records at SAF trials
• Seventeen new records at Schools' Swimming 
• Rover Pinpoints...
• Minister Kiriella's vision pays rich dividends 
• Royal skippers: Ratna Sivaratnam and then 'Duddo' Fernando
• Lanka venue for Mr. World contest
• SLARDAR 2001 Rally
• Arun performs best in Pakistan
• Airmen get a coach thanks to Dilip...
• Neville said so 
• Kandy SC too much for CR
• In Brief

Pakistan outplayed 

By Marlon Fernandopulle

The Lankans who were beaten 1-0 in the unofficial three test series proved their superiority in the one day game when they batted with purpose, bowled tightly and fielded brilliantly to outshine their opponents and take a 1-0 lead in the three match series.

Batting first Sri Lanka were given a sound start by openers Avishka Gunawardene (74) and Shantha Kalawitigoda (27) who put on 69 runs in just 11.1 overs. Gunawardene continued his good form but rode on his luck after he was dropped twice. 

Playing with little footwork, the dusky left hander thumped nine boundaries in his 104 ball knock to anchor the Lankan innings. Together with Kumar Sangakkara (34) he added 61 runs for the fourth wicket to help Sri Lanka build a challenging total.

With the departure of Gunawardena and Sangakkara Chamara Silva(37) and Suresh Perera (20) and skipper Thilan Samaraweera (18 n. o) helped Sri Lanka to 244 for 7 wickets in 50 overs.

Pakistan needing to score around five runs an over got off to a sedate start with openers Imran Farahat (29) and Toufiq Umar (47) adding 49 runs in 12.5 overs. 

They were contained by intelligent bowling by Lanka's medium pace trio of Akalanka Ganegama, Dinusha Fernando and Suresh Perera. 

Perera was the pick of the medium pacers when he picked up two wickets in his first spell which included Pakistan A skipper Hazan Raza.

As Pakistan A slid to 73/3 in the 19th over Toufiq Umar (47) and Misba ul Haq (28) came together and steadied the innings with a 57 run stand. However they consumed as much as 16 overs for their partnership after Sri Lanka A spinners Thilan Samaraweera and Sajeewa Weerakoon bowled a tidy and accurate length.

With the asking rate increasing to over seven runs an over in the last 15 overs the Pakistanis were desperate for quick runs and boundaries. 

As a result they lost two quick wickets after wicket keeper Sangakkara accounted for a regulation stumping and a smart piece of work to run out another Pakistani player.

Skipper Thilan Samaraweera then brought in medium pacer Dinusha Fernando who wrapped up the tail taking three wickets all in similar caught very well by Akalanka Ganegama, two at long on and the other at mid wicket.

Sri Lanka A -244/7 in 50 overs (Avishaka Gunawardene 74. Shantha Kalawitigoda 27, Kumar Sangakkara 34, Chamara Silva 37, Suresh Perera 20, Thilan Samaraweera 18 n.o; Shabir Ahamed 1/69, Yasir Arafat 3/46, Danish Kaneria 1/36. A. Hussain 1/35)

Pakistan A - 174 all out in 42.4 overs(Imran Farahat 29, Toufiq Umar 47, Misba Ul -Haq 28 Irfan Fazil 22;

Suresh Perera 2/27, Dinusha Fernando 3/31. Thilan Samaraweera 2/31. Sajeewa Weerakoon 2/27, Jehan Mubaraq 1/24)

Ann, Keshani lower records at SAF trials

By Bruce Maurice

The earlier record was held by Vijitha Amarasekera which was 51.82 metres. This was the oldest Sri Lanka record on the card which was set up in April 1991.

The other record to be lowered was in the women's 1500 metres when Keshani Samarakoon of the Sri Lanka Air Force broke her own record with a time of 4 mts. 29.34 secs. Her earlier record stood at 4 mts. 29.43 secs.

Sugath Tillekeratne lost in the 200 metres when he was beaten by Ravindra Kumara of the Sri Lanka Army who returned a time of 21.52 seconds.

All eyes were on Sri Lanka's bronze medal winner at the last Olympics Susanthika Jayasinghe who won the 200 metres. She was not very impressive as she clocked only 23.44. Her record in the event is 22.95 set up last year. 

Sriyani Kulawansa taking part in the 100 metres hurdles came first on Friday but was a disappointment as she clocked only 13.64 while her record is at 13.25 set up last year.

Seventeen new records at Schools' Swimming 

St. Joseph's College emerged winners with 270 points in the Boys' senior category along with Ladies' College with 249 points as the winners of the Girls' senior category. 

The records list was also reflective of the level competition that some of the events had two swimmers completing under record time though only the best goes down in the record books. 

The record breakers were Miniruwani Samarakoon - HCK (Under- 9 Girls - 100m Breaststroke and Individual Medley), Chanaka Malimbada - AC (Under-11 Boys' - 100m Breaststroke), Kalyan Veera- STCK (Under-13 Boys - 100m Breaststroke and 200m 

Breaststroke), Shirantha Abeywardhena - SPC (Under-9 Boys' - 50m Backstroke and 50m Freestyle), M.I. Fahim - EMS (Under-13 Boys' - 100m Backstroke and 200m Backstroke), Rumedha Madigasekera - SJG (Under-19 Boys' - 1500m Freestyle), Dilini Liyanage - LC (Under-17 Girls - 100m Backstroke), Raghavan Madawela - STCML (Under-17 Boys' - 200m Breaststroke), H. Unamboowe - TCK (Under-9 Boys' - Individual Medley), Melissa Boange - BC (Under-17 Girls' - 200m Backstroke), Zoe Veera - AIS (Under-15 Girls' - 50m Freestyle), Chathuri Abeykoon - LC (Under- 13 Girls - 50m Freestyle), Manjith Thamanegama - SPC (Under-13 Boys - 50m Freestyle). 

In the diving events Gayan Ranatunga - STCML (Under-17 Boys'), Chanaka Wickremasinghe - RC (Under-17 Boys'), Harini Jayasekera - VV (Under-19 Girls), Esiri Kankanige - RC (Under-15 Boys'), Prasadhi Perera - VV (Under-15 Girls'), Adhil Anees - SJC (Under- 13 Boys'), Ashif Anees - SJC (Under-13 Boys'), Tharaki Siyagune - BC (Under-13 Girls'), Leilani Delaune - EFC (Under-9 Girls') demonstrated clearly a higher standard against with impressive scores and placing against the rest in their respective age groups. 

The meet was also a selection trial for the First Asian Schools' Swimming Championships to be held in Singapore this year. 

A special mention must also be made of the sponsors Nestle Lanka Ltd., and the organizers the Schools' Association, whose efforts in organizing this meet showed a supreme class against the recently concluded National Age Group Championships organized by NAASU (National Amateur Aquatic Sports Union). Though both meets drew in a similar number of entries, the Age Group Championships came into much criticism when the meet ran late into the evening on some days. 

However, one must note that this meet had less problems with the automatic timing system and was driven by a different strength - the affiliation of the staff and competitors to their schools. 

Rover Pinpoints...

High-handedness

Rover also learns that the selection committee has selected seven athletes for participation at the forthcoming World Championships in Canada in August. But pressure is brought on making an addition of a schoolgirl in the 100 metres. Minister lookout. Whether he will succeed is to be seen, but he is definitely going against the choice of the selectors. 

Is it true?

At loggerheads 

At a loss 

Not decided yet 

Who is playing out whom? 

Special treatment 

What a waste 

Stale but true

Caltex to power Motor Races 

By M. Shamil Amit

The Caltex Ruhunu Motor Races is organized by the Ruhunu Motor Sports in association with the Sri Lanka Racing Riders Association. Speaking at a press conference held at Isurupaya Shibly Latiff, the Marketing Manager Caltex said that they are happy to get involved in sponsoring this race for the second successive year and firmly believes in upgrading the standards of Motor Sports in Sri Lanka. Hence the Caltex commitment to this sponsorship bears testimony in their commitment to develop Motor Sports in the Southern region. 

Caltex has embarked on a two-pronged strategy to enhance Motor Sports by firstly introducing a structured sponsorship programme for racing drivers and riders. The company's commitment to upgrade Motor Sports in Sri Lanka was evident with the opening of the Caltex Prokart track at Millennium Park. 

The President of the Ruhunu Motor Sports Club said the club was actively involved in promoting motor sports in the southern region and was the first club to organize a circuit meet of this nature last year. Without the sponsorship given by Caltex and the backing we got from the officials of the BOI and members of the Factory Owners Association EPZ circuit Koggala, the races would have not realised and we are grateful to them for having the trust in us and in coming forward to make these races a success again he concluded.

This year there will be 22 exciting events which are lined up to be conducted at the tarred track which is 2.2 km in length and the main road of the Export Procession Zone at Koggala. The event will also see the "Caltex Racing Team" comprising 25 team members in action and a specialty this year would be the inclusion of an event for standard Mini's. 

The events to be held are - Motorcycles: Group - P 

Standard/Modified up to 125 cc, Standard/Modified up to 250 cc, Four stroke (Open), Novices up to 125 cc. Group - R 

Racing up to 125 cc, Up to 250 cc and Unlimited. 

Motor Cars: Group - N

Novices Group 'A' cars over 12kg/bhp. 

Group-D Diesel cars up to 2000 cc (Non Turbo) 

Group-A Unmodified, normally aspirated engines. Over 14.0 kg, Over 12.0 kg/bhp up to and including 14.0 kg/bhp, Over 10.0 kg/bhp up to and including 12.0 kg/bhp, Over 8.0 kg/bhp up to and including 10.0 kg/bhp, Over 6.0 kg/bhp up to and including 8.0 kg/bhp, 1000 cc standard for mini. 

Group-L Ladies up to 1600 cc (Non Turbocharged) 

Group-M, S and T. Modified cars and specials, up to and including 1050 cc, Over 1050 cc and including 1350 cc, 5 cc Over 1665 cc. Group-F Formula cars, Formula cars up to 1600 cc. Confifi Group along with Club Horizon, Koggala will be catering meal packages and all refreshments at concession rates.

Minister Kiriella's vision pays rich dividends 

By Bernie Wijesekera

Kandy District should help promote more clubs for the talented players to play rather than divert them to other activities at leisure time said Lakshman Kiriella the Minister of Sports when interviewed by The Sunday Times, with regard to Kandy Youth CC's entry to play in 'A' Div. rugby for the first time.

Q: Are you aware that some clubs are not happy with your decision to help KYCC with men and material for them to join the big league when they have not even played in the 'B' Div. 

A: I agree. Are you going to adhere to rules and thereby waste young talent. There should be more clubs for the youngsters to get involved in competitive Rugby after leaving school to help develop the sport at national level. Its in the rural districts that the future of this sport lies. They are from less affluent homes, but has the determination and the strength to hold their own in this body contact sport.

Q: Do you agree that some of the schoolboys after leaving school are not interested or working hard to reach the top. Some of them make it a social sport, but has no idea of making to the national level?

A: You are right. Some people say Kandy Youth is my club because I gave financial assistance and encouragement and is not eligible to play in the big league. They are mistaken. KYCC knocked the daylights out of CR&FC when they bearded them in their own den and justified their entry. In any sport, be it rugby or otherwise it should not be the domain of a handful of clubs. But its wings must be spread for mass participation. Then only one could harness talent. The poor youth may sleep on the mat and struggle to eke out a living. But when they perform the affluent clubs could draft them to their echelons by giving job opportunities to enjoy a better tomorrow Kiriella added. 

Next year I am going to help two more clubs in Kandy to play rugby in the 'A' Div. with men and material - Old Trinitians and Old Rajans. This will afford more playing opportunities for the school leavers. 

Minister Kiriella speaking in a lighter vein said, during his recent visit to Kataragama Kovil, he went to a 'night kade'. The owner remarked "Sir, my son is playing for Kandy Youth - thanks to you. My aim is to promote sport for nation-building sans petty issues or ethnicity. If anyone is prepared to promote sport in the correct spirit, I am there to help them. 

Q: That means put the country before self? 

A: I agree. Play the game in the correct spirit and do your best to uplift the image of the down-trodden youth via sport. 

Kiriella commended two people who have done a tremendous job to help Kandy Youth's participation in 'A' Div. rugby. Coach and former Sri Lankan player Maurice Perera and Janaka Pathirana. 

This weekend Kandy Youth play host to Havelocks SC on Sunday July 01, at Nittawela. Expect another blockbuster after their effort against CR away in Colombo. 

Minister Kiriella will be the Chief Guest. 

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