| Sports |
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| Manapperuma
dominates at Radella Manapperuma's second record was in the Group 'A' 8-10 kg/hp event when he timed 38.06 secs in his first run erasing the record of 39.76 secs set by Romani de Silva. He was virtually assured of winning the event. Two other drivers veteran Bri Ponnambalam and Javidh Wahab too bettered the existing record. The three drivers drove a Honda V Tec. The other records to be set in the motor car events were by Nishan Wasalathanthri in the Group 'A' Cars Over 12 kg/hp. Driving a Ford Laser Nishan timed 42.28 secs to eclipsing the record of 44.01 secs set by Dhammika Peiris who was placed second. Sheran Fernando in his powerful and newly acquired Citroen Saxo timed 40.06 secs to better the record of 41.03 set by Nalin D. Perera. In the motor cycle category Udesh Wedisinghe in Yamaha YZF 250 bettered his own record of 37.61 secs in the Group MX Racing Upto 125cc-250cc 4 Stroke with a timing of 36.78 secs. While Johnny Daniel on a Honda VFR 400 timed 37.66 secs to erase the record of 38.43 secs in the 4 Stroke Open event which was in the name of Senani Pilapitiya which was the sixth event. But the surprise of the day was another veteran Suranjith Premadasa who had the honour of having the fastest timing of the day when he clocked 32.70 secs in the Group-F- Formula Modified Upto 2080cc event. He missed on establishing a new record which was 31.85 secs. The first event for Group 'P' Std/Mdf 125cc-250cc 4 Stroke went Rohana Wijeratne. The second race for Group 'P' Std/Mdf Over 125cc/Over 250cc 4 Stroke where ten competitors were scheduled to take part went into confusion with most of the drivers protesting as bikes which were more powerful had been included. All the participants were on the verge of pulling out but the organizers seperated the event into two and it went off smoothly. With Indika Gurusinghe on a Honda 250cc winning one event and Shane Silva in Yamaha RD 350cc winning the other. Indika won his second race of the day winning the Group MX Motorcycle Racing Upto 80cc event. Udesh Wedisinghe too landed a double winning the fourth and fifth event. Nishan Wasalathanthri won the first motor car event with Manapperuma winning the eighth and tenth event. The Ford Formula 1600cc event was won by Dinesh Jayawardena. Mahen Madugalle took the Mini Saloon 998cc event. The Group M & T Upto 1050cc event went to Lakmal de Silva while the Group M & T Over 1050cc event went to Damith Abeyratne. Rizvi Farouk on his Honda V Tec won the Group M & T Cars 1050-1350cc event. Aravinda Premadasa in his Subaru Impreza won the penultimate event of the day followed by his father Suranjith winning the last event. The Radella
Hill Climb had its ups and downs too with some drivers having their
cars toppled or skidding off from the road. Sportswriters
at Karoke The event will be sponsored by Sirasa TV, Austasia Sports Complex in Thalawatugoda, Caltex Lubricants Ltd.,, AirLanka and Techserve. This is going to be an annual event. All Sports writers in Lake House (Daily News, Sunday Observer, Dinamina and Kreeda), Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. (The Sunday Times, Daily Mirror, Lankadeepa), Upali Newspapers (Island, Sunday Island, Divaina), Lakbima and even those in the Electronic Media will be involved in this session.
It's a laudable move by the hierarchy to brush up the language barriers where most of the local umpires are found wanting. Cricket is an Englishman's game and the laws are interpreted in English. Much stress will be on elocution. Probably it will be a two-month cource. If the game is to develop the levels of umpiring has to be improved as well on and off the field. They should be able to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner - just not merely counting six balls and saying over. They should be able to indulge in a friendly dialogue with the players, too after a game and educate them. Elocution is a 'must' to this effect. Further they should be properly attired and look like a Dicky Bird, with a sense of humour to keep the spirit of the game alive. The present C.B. Committee (Umpires) is on the right track in their endeavour to give a new facelift to the fraternity. Further the umpires should not be allowed to stand for six days a week. They will suffer from fatigue and mental stress as a result. In the end the game will suffer. -BW
France is planning to have a similar Tournament in the lines of the year 2003 World Cup which will be staged in Australia later this year. There will be 20 teams taking part divided into 4 groups and the top 2 teams advancing to the quarterfinals. Since France hosted and won the Football World Cup in 1998 the expectation of the home crowd is very high. This 6th edition of the Rugby World Cup will be staged in 2007 September and October. The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff-Wales will be hosting four of the matches. Inter
Plantations rugby 7s for Gramoxone trophy in Radella One of the most looked forward to events by the Plantation Companies the Inter Plantations Seven a side tournamement has attracted twelve teams this year. Kotagala,Maskeliya,Kelani Valley,Kegalle and Bogawantalawa Plantations are among the top contenders for the Gramoxone Trophy this year. The tournament is sponsored for the 10th year by Chemical Industries Colombo (CIC). Speaking at the Cheque Presentation Ceremony the Chairman of CIC Mr.B.R.L. Fernando said,"We are delighted to be sponsoring this event for a decade and look forward to strength our relationships further with the Plantations". Mr.Jith Gunaratne ,Chief Executive Namunukula,Kegalle & Maskeliya Plantations wil be the Chief Guest |
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