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German
Jorg Kinder runs in Kandy
German-born Jorg Kinder is out of those Marathon buffs who came over to Kandy from the Maldives to take part in last weekend's LSR marathon. His name was not to be found in the list of early finishers. Yet Kinder is all agog with excitement at having completed the course. His athletic prowess, however, is not to be taken lightly. In 1995, he ran the Bremen marathon in his native Germany in 2 hours, 33 minutes. His immediate future includes participation in the famed London and Boston marathons. A National Level swimmer back in Germany, Kinder has competed in Triathlon (Swimming, Cycling, Running) race all over Europe. Perseverance seems to be his forte. Having started as a Tour Guide, Kinder worked his way up the ladder and today he holds the exaulted position of Resident Manager for Thomas Cook in Male. With his experience in the field of tourism, Kinder feels that, with her history, culture, beaches and greenery, Sri Lanka has plenty to offer the visitor. His vision for the tourist industry in Sri Lanka is one of unprecedented growth and prosperity. It's
crying time again It was only in July this year that Sanath Jayasuriya and Dav Whatmore clashed with the three Selectors comprising Guy de Alwis, Ranil Abeynaike and Roger Wijesuriya over the selections for the Bangladesh Test Series. Two months later it happens again.This time for the all important tour of South Africa where Sri Lanka is expected to have a dress rehearsal for next year;s World Cup. As a skipper Jayasuriya has the right to insist on a squad. He shoulders the responsibility of the teams performance and along with the coach has to answer,so why can't the selectors agree to Jayasuriya? Jayasuriya has insisted that allrounder Kaushal Weeraratne and Wicket Keeper batsman T. M. Dilshan be included in the squad to South Africa. Weeraratne who has already played a few one day internationals lost his place after suffering an injury. But the youngster has recovered fully and is currently playing for Bloomfield in the Premier League Tournament.The fast bowling allrounder could be an ideal candidate that Sri Lanka are looking for next year's World Cup in South Africa if he is guided and given the exposure. Although the Captain held this view the selectors thought otherwise and excluded Weeraratne. The Sri Lanka captain was also of the view that a specialist second wicket keeper Prasanna Jayawardene will not be needed. Since only two tests are being played Jayasuriya's thinking could be correct.The captain is believed to have insisted that Jayawardene's place should go to T. M. Dilshan. Dilshan, a middle order batsman has also got the ability to don the gloves if required. However the Lankan skipper's sentiments were not taken into consideration as the selectors disagreed. The 16 member squad minus Weeraratne and Dilshan was sent to sports Minister Johnston Fernando for ratification.The Minister did not ratify the squad and sent it back to the National Selectors as Jayasuriya had made a complaint to the Ministry indicating his displeasure over the selection. However the national selectors stuck to their guns and refused to make any changes. Minister Fernando who was in a spot at this moment requested Interim Committee Chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya to intervene and solve the issue. Amarasuriya convened a meeting with the selectors and Jayasuriya on Thursday evening and solved the issue but not before both parties agreed to include another medium pacer Ruchira Perera at the request of the Captain. The 17 member squad to South Africa includes seven medium pacers and a fast bowling allrounder Hasantha Fernando. Even during the era of Andy Roberts, Joel Garner and Malcolm Marshall West Indies never have had seven fast bowlers who went on one tour. It is indeed ridiculous to think that the Lankan fast bowlers who bowl at moderate speeds are required in such numbers for any tour. Let alone playing in one of the two tests or a side game some of these bowlers will be lucky and content if they get the opportunity to bowl during a practice session at the nets. The crux of the matter is that some of these fast bowlers have not even played a full season in the division one tournament. A few of them were in Pakistan with the Lankan A team last month.What was their contribution on this tour?They hardly made an impact. If they cannot make their presence felt against a second string Pakistan team what makes the selectors think that they will deliver against a top classs South African team. South Africa is not a place to blood a young fast bowler.On the contrary it may be a place to ruin a young fast bowler. It appears that suddenly Sri Lanka has found an abundance of fast bowlers who are selected for one or two tours and then discarded. Akalanka Ganegama, Ishara Amarasinghe, Charitha Buddhika, Prabath Nissanka have all fallen victims to the selectors cutting and chopping policy. Come South Africa and we have four more raw medium pacies included in addition to the experienced Vaas,Dilhara and Ruchira Perera.Nuwan Zoysa's omission from the squad is another mystery. Many are of the opinion that the tall lanky medium pacer would have been a handful on South African wickets,but not for Chairman of Selectors Guy de Alwis and company. It is believed that the men in charge of the Fast Bowling Accademy are pushing their weight around strongly recommending the bowlers to the Selectors. As the present selectors(like the past selectors) watch very little domestic cricket they are guided by these pundits. The inclusion of Jehan Mubarak in the squad is commendable.The exit of Aravinda de Silva has created a void and it will be upto the youngster, if given the opportunity, to justify his inclusion in the team. Mubarak earned the nod from the selectors ahead of two other left handers Micheal Van Dort and Naveed Nawaz At the recently concluded Pakistan A tour Mubarak emerged as the most consistent scorer for Sri Lanka A and deservedly earned his place in the big league. However his inclusion has come in for harsh criticism from former Sri Lanka Captain Arjuna Ranatunge.During a talk show on television Ranatunge had objected to Mubarak's selection.During his tenure Ranatunge had a hand in promoting cricketers from the outstations and from rural schools and always harboured a grudge against the big Colombo schools. Junior
hockey tournament Ten teams in the boys category and six teams in the girls category are participating in this first ever tournament. All the league matches will be played at the Sirimavo Balika grounds while the semi finals are scheduled to be played at the Astro turf. The boys champion team will receive the Walter Jayasuriya Challenge Trophy while the girls champion team will receive the Janashakthi Insurance Challenge Trophy donated by Chandra Schaffter. The Teams:
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