No bouquets for these rugby refs 

By Bernie Wijesekera

To overcome this the respective coaches must educate and discipline their charges and teach them the fundamentals and the spirit of the game. In the end the final outcome is all forgotten. 

Coming back to the Police - CR&FC second-leg at Bambalapitiya, where a young Ref. blew for the match. He did make mistakes on the spur of the moment, due to lack of experience and confidence in himself. As a result he came in for a verbal barrage from a section of the crowd and had to be escorted out of the field in the end. 

The blame for this sad unwarranted heckling could have been avoided if the Refs. Society appointed an experienced Ref. to blow for the game. A senior top brass in the Police, too agreed. Incidentally this officer's father was a Cop - R.R.W.served in the Harbour Police along with Vernon Prins and was a Sri Lanka hockey goalie of repute. He played rugby and was a bare-footed footballer. He excelled in all disciplines. 

This could have been avoided had the hierarchy held regular instruction classes and educate them with regard to the spirit of the game and what sport is all about. 

The Director of Sports, Lalith Lekamge, who is doing a good job at present should make a directive, otherwise the Police image is going to be tarnished when the game is played in their own backyard apparently due to their over enthusiasm. 

In the end the Police won the match. 

Fine gesture 

Dilroy Fernando, controlled the game well. Despite his consistency he has been at the receiving end this season. Even in this hard fought-out game, he came in for catcalls. Not by the knowledgeable spectators but by a handful, who were ignorant about the laws of the game.

The game was hotting up during the latter stages where some players deem fit to go more for the man than for the ball. 

Brig. C. Krishnaratne, the Chairman of Army rugby seeing this quickly moved to the touch line, warned a player concerned and nipped it in the bud. Rugby is not a war but a beautiful sport played by two friendly teams - all forgotten after the match. Well Done Sir! 

Other officials of clubs, too should emulate Brig. Krishnaratna's action. Discipline is a must in any walks of life. In the end Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte, the President and other KSC officials present at the match commended the Army team. They deserved to win. On this day they played better rugby. 

ROVER PINPOINTS...

What a boast! 

Heard this? 

But he hoodwinked the authorities by getting his speech in English written in Sinhala and had it faxed to him and of course, he made a fool of himself when he tried to speak in English, much to the amazement of the organisers! 

Hoodwinking 

No action yet 

Fall from a bike 

True enough on the point raised about the Services Official for his bad managership in Canada, but was let off for same due to the bad administration of this licence needed sport, for competition which is run at a faster pace than athletics. The question posed is, why now, not then? What a way to curry favour!

Will they be dissolved? 

Debtors & Creditors for Year 2000

Well done Ministry of Sports 

Bad form

Going by a head count, one wondered whether the jampacked stadium had more tickets printed than the number of seats. 

What a shame

Grumbling in vain

Now comes the news that they were silenced when they arrived at the Asgiriya Stadium in a full airconditioned coach, with those at the grounds, wondering whether the Sri Lankan or Indian teams had arrived. Then why grumble? 

Tears from Sheddon 

By Bernie Wijesekera

Sheddon, a product of St. Mary's Dehiwela and later finished his studies at St. Patrick's Jaffna, had a trail-blazing career in the Army on and off the field. 

He was one of the finest products of the Army, who started his rugby career at grassroots level, and later did proud to them and to Sri Lanka as a dazzling winger. He joined the Army as a Sapper (Private) and ended up as an officer. 

Sheddon was in the company of his former team-mates Jupana Jayawardena, "Ganja" Mohamed a hardy prop forward, Saliya Udugama and Haren Malwatte. All of them donned the Army and Sri Lanka jersey with distinction.

It was at this get-together organised by his old buddies on the eve of his departure that nostalgic memories of his blazing rugby career were recounted.

Following is an interview with Sheddon.

During my time it was not all that easy to join the Army. Times sure have changed. Even as a Sapper it was a honour to be in the Sri Lanka Army.It was Freddie White, brother of Duncan White, who coaxed me to sign up with the Army. Freddie, who was a Corporal, was an international hockey goalie. My commanding officer was Brig. P.D. Ramanayake, an ardent supporter and promoter of sports. Many of them came under his tutelage and went places in life.

I was coached by Roy Tissera in the fundamentals of rugby though I excelled in boxing and athletics. But I am proud to say that through rugby I made many friends on and off the field which exists to this date, Rugby helped me go places in life. I have no regrets at all for having taken to this body contact sport. 

There were so many like me, who learnt rugby after joining the Army - double international S.P.De Silva, who excelled in rugby and football. Amaradasa - a fine wing three-quarter and a sprinter. There were the likes of C.S.Fernando, Denzil Kobbekaduwe, J.B. Francis, Eustace Fonseka, Jupana Jayawardena, 'Ganja' Mohamed, Haren Malwatte, Parry Liyanage, Edwin, M.F. Fernando, who shone not only in rugby, but in other disciplines, too. 

Any achievements? The Army in 1973 held the Police to 15-all draw in the Clifford Cup final, under S.P. de Silva.

In 1975 Army won the Clifford Cup defeating Air Force. I was fortunate to have played with some of them. The standard of rugby was high during my time. Getting the better of a club team was in itself an achievement. Here again Brig. Ramanayake was in the driving seat. With him there was "no nonsense" and he treated all alike and maintained strict discipline at all levels. 

I am happy to hear that he is still watching rugby despite the years rolling by. 

I'll be making a special visit to his home at Nugegoda, to say the simple word 'Thank you'. It is not enough to express my heart-felt gratitude I feel towards him. Without doubt he's one of the pioneers of Army rugby. 

When did you play for Sri Lanka? In 1964 in the All-India tournament as a winger. The other winger was Tiruchittampalam. There was Nimal Maralanda and Tony Sirimane, who served from the base and paired with Nimal. Both were fine players. Sad to mention both are not in our midst along with Kobbekaduwe. 

I live in Brisbane. Maurice Silva too lives here. He played for the Havies and Sri Lanka. Ironically I migrated with my family on Aug. 10, 1972 returned to Sri Lanka on a short holiday on that identical date - August 10, 2001, Sheddon said. 

It saddened me that this once beautiful country, where all of us lived with amity, is being torn apart due to social and political unrest. Hope sanity will prevail before long and everyone could live with peace and harmony as one nation. 

Sports is not meant for winning trophies, the most important thing is to bring about understanding and togetherness for reconciliation?

You are right. This could be achieved via sport. Sheddon's parting words were that it will become a reality before long, to overcome unrest and suffering where the down-trodden are the worst hit. 

All must live under one umbrella for the sake of the future generations. 

Brig. Ramanayake, who was there to witness the Army Kandy S.C. game at Galle Face on Aug. 25 confirmed that Sheddon paid him a visit before taking wing to Brisbane. 

Sheddon, rated Didacus de Almeida as one of the best players he had seen. I played against, and with him. A firm tackler Dida possessed immense rugby skills. He was an utility player par excellence. 

One World Alliance Props Golf in Sri Lanka

The Course is one helluva gorgeous sight comparable with the best in most parts of the world. It has grown in length too to reach 6401 yds. and comply with international requirements. Through my travels over the years I have seen and played on some great Courses renowned for design, landscape and beauty and boldly claim that the Model Farm Course with its high degree of quality and style remains matchable if not better. Kumar Boralessa can now take a series of bows acknowledging a load of hallelujahs and hosannas.

Dambulla

Ridgeway Opens

Massive Sponsor

Joe Rajadurai then chips in with "I am fully aware that Golf helps to swell the coffers of the Tourist Industry and with this in mind our next year's effort and support will spread to envelope international visiting players". Joe Rajadurai and Shanthini make a formidable British Airways duo and all participants are assured of an extremely successful and mutually rewarding tournament. The Royal Colombo Golf Club is now one huge posh location with a Course to match all standards and a Club House with Fine Dining and high wining to outclass the best downtown. Dian Jayasuriya, Lalin Samarawic-krema and Lalith Ramanayake three absolutely knowledgeable stalwarts have come together to handle the further development and progress with chosen kid gloves. They have adequate skill and they need little or no luck. 

Senid beat HNB to Chess title 

Senid beat Hatton National Bank in the final and the champion team comprised R.T. Amarashinghe, Himath Dissanayake, Waruna Singappuli, Kaushal Ginige. 

Hatton National Bank and SriLankan Airlines finished as runners-up with equal points in the team champions. The HNB team was made up of M.A.R.P.P. Perera, C.K.D. Fonseka, K.J.P.A. de Vaas and R.C. Peter while the SriLankan Airlines team comprised Upul Abeysiriwardena, Harsha Perera and Manjulie Hettigama. 

R.T. Amarasinghe of Senid Software International won the individual championships scoring 5 points of 5 jointly with C.K.D. Fonseka of HNB who too aggregated 5 points of 5. 

T. Hisham Halaldeen (H.S.B.C.), Ruwanlal S.A. Perera (James Finlays), Lasitha Karunaratne (James Finlays), Himath Dissanayake (Senid), Waruna Singappuli (Senid), Upul Abeysiriwardena (SriLankan Airlines), Manjulie Hettigama (SriLankan Airlines), and Ranga Thotahewa (Sampath Bank) finished a joint third. 

The championships was sponsored by Union Assurance Limited with the winners and runners-up being presented with cash awards plus medals and certificates.

Herath wins women's boxing bronze medal

Herath was beaten by Mitchel Martinez of the Philippines in the semi-finals and Martinez went on to win the gold medal.

L. G. Chandrika also displayed good skills in the Fly Weight bout losing to the ultimate gold medalist Ri Jong Hyang of Korea on points.

Korea won the overall championship with five golds and a bronze with China second with two golds, three silver and two bronze followed by Thailand, one gold, two silver and five bronze medals. The Philippines had one gold and 4 bronze, India three silver and one bronze, Chinese Taipei won one silver, Japan two silver and SRI LANKA one bronze.

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