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Sports

Pakistan, Malaysia hot favourites
Sri Lanka to play in Asian Squash Championships
The Sri Lankan National Squash team, comprising four men and four women players left on Monday April 20, for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to participate in the 11th Asian Squash Championships.

They will be vying with 16 countries with Pakistan and Malaysia going as favourites in the men and women's sections respectively. Malaysia are the reigning champions in both men and women's sections. The tournament commenced on May 1, and will conclude on May 8, at the Jalan Dutta Stadium and Bukit Jalil Stadium.

Deegaya Abeynayake - Manager An ex Air Force officer is an old boy of Trinity College who has an impressive track record in sports. Presently he is the Security & Sports Centre Manager at Taj Samudra Hotel. He has been the Assistant Treasurer of the Sri Lanka Squash Federation for the past five years.

Yasmin Zarook - Coach -Nine times national squash champion and has represented and captained Sri Lanka on many occasions. Qualified coach Asian Squash Federation Level 1 & 2. Current National Coach and also coaches Royal College. A past pupil of St. Bridget's Convent.

R.S. Deen - Coach - An Old boy of Zahira College, Matale and presently employed in the Sri Lanka Army. A former national Hockey player. Army Squash Champion for seven years and Defence Services Champion for 4 years. ASF Qualified Level1 Coach and Coaching Instructor.

Navin Samarasinghe (Captain Men's team) - At 19 years, the most promising and talented player in Sri Lanka and the youngest to win the National Title at the age of 17 in 1999 and repeating the performance on 2000 in addition to being the Junior National Champion. Has represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Junior and Asian Senior Championships having captained the Junior Team in 2001. Only Sri Lanka representative at the World Junior Championships in Italy and represented Sri Lanka at the British, Scottish, Malaysian, Indian, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australian Junior Open Championships. Was ranked 72 in the European Juniors circuit and 7th in the Asian Junior Circuit. An old boy of S. Thomas' College Mount Lavinia and Stafford International School.

N.S. Jayashantha - An old boy of Lumbini Maha Vidyalaya. Has represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Championships in 1994,1996 and 1998 and at the 1st Open Doubles Tournament held in Dubai in 2001. A very experienced player and has won the Otters Open in 2001 and the Club Inter-sport Open Tournament. Employed at Trans Asia Hotel Sports Centre. He also coaches CIS.

Janaka Suwaris - A veteran squash player who has maintained his standard over the years outplaying the much more fancied and younger players through hard work and determination. Has represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Championships in 1994,1996 and 2000 and at the Asia Cup in 2001. Won the Centenary SSC Squash Championships in 1999 and the 20th Anniversary Squash Open Tournament. An old boy of Methodist College, Dehiwela. Presently coaches at CR&FC, S. Thomas', Visakha, Sirimavo Balika Vidyalaya and Ceylinco Seylan Development Centre.

L.K. Manjula - A player who has shown great potential in local tournaments finally gets a well-deserved break to represent Sri Lanka for the very first time. Employed at Trans Asia Hotel Sports Centre, he also coaches D.S. Senanayake College. An old boy of Badrawathie Vidyalaya, Polhengoda.

Kushani Daluwatte (Captain Women's Team) - An old girl of Visakha Vidyalaya presently employed as an executive at John Keells Limited. Reigning National Champion. Junior National Champions in the Under 11. 13, 15, 17 & 19 categories. Winner of the Le Kandyan Open, Air Force Golden Jubilee, Otters Open and 20th Anniversary Squash open. Captained the Junior team twice. Represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Championships for the first time in 2000.

Sulakshana Dias Abeyegunawardene - Has represented Sri Lanka in the Asian Junior Squash Championships in 1993 and 1995 and the Asian Senior Squash Championships in 1998 and 2002. Under 15 National Champion. She also participated in Junior World Championships 1995. Was runner up at the La Kandyan Open and Centenary SSC Squash Championships in 1999. Making her third tour in the Senior Championships. An old girl of Holy Family Convent an Accountant and Lawyer by profession presently employed as Executive, Business Processes at LM Collections.

Disna Ranjini Seneviratne
An old girl of Dharamasoka College, Ambalangoda. Has represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Championships in 1990,1992 and 2000. National Champion in 1992 and Winner of the La Kandyan Open in 1999 and Otters Open in 1999 and 2001. A very experienced player and presently employed in the Sri Lanka Army.

Tehani Guruge
A year 10 student at Musaeus College. Youngest in the team. Won Gold Medal for the Under-5 category at the recently held Japan Junior Open Squash Championships. Was placed 3rd in the Scottish Junior Open in December 199...... in the under 13 category and placed 2nd in the Indian Open in Bombay 2000. Winner of the Lakbima Open 2002. Women's Title and finalist in the 2001 National Championships. A very promising player for the future.

Dunlop Bell sailing at Bolgoda
The Yachting Association of Sri Lanka has organized a Sailing Event under the Sponsorship of Ansell Lanka (Pvt) Ltd to be held today at the Bolgoda Lake.
A clean contest is expected between the Sailing competitors as the Sri Lanka Sailing Team has just returned from Goa after participating in the World Enterprise Sailing Championship, where Lalin Jirasinha and K.D.S. Kumara who obtained the 12th place in this event are due to participate. All participants are requested to be present at C.M.Y.C. by 10.30 am.

NCC's history in a nutshell
By Bernie Wijesekera
Nondescripts CC, one of the oldest clubs in the country - spanning over 114 years has printed a book pertaining to its cricketing history. It will be made available at its general meeting for the membership to be held later this month.

This was revealed to The Sunday Times by its President, Leslie Hewage. To cap it off, he mooted the idea of printing the Club's history in a nutshell for the members from the embryo stage. Today the venue is fit for a first class match with all facilities - including a modern scoreboard.

The visiting teams from India, Zimbabwe, Kenya and the West Indies commended the venue. The Windies' manager Ricky Skeritt said, "If Sri Lanka Cricket is developing fast, it attributes to the availablility of first class grounds no doubt. Today NCC is a family club for everyone to enjoy a pleasant evening,.

He thanked both Harold De Andrado and Ranjit Fernando for jointly compiling the book. It's a book to he treasured.. Besides Colts CC and CCC, NCC, is the oldest cricket club. Incidentally NCC was the first Ceylonese Club to start rugby.

The players, later broke away and started the CR and FC. Today the club is in the forefront in cricket, producing many a national player, doing proud for the country, and dominating the local cricket scene. We have a cricket umpire Asoka de Silva, former Sri Lanka player, who is in the ICC International panel.

Asoka is held in high esteem. Though the past is forgotten, the club has not forgotten the 'Golden Oldies'. We are helping them in their hour of need. Vernon Prins led the club from 1952-58 with distinction - winning the P.'Sara' on five occasions and being the runner-up on two occasions. He is the Patron.

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