Football, showbiz stars to dance at Messi's wedding

ROSARIO une30: Football and showbiz stars gathered on Friday for the celebrity “wedding of the century” in Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi's Argentine hometown as he prepared to marry his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo.

Pop star Shakira and her husband, Messi's teammate Gerard Pique, were expected among the 260 guests, according to sources close to the event and local media, which dubbed it the biggest wedding in decades in the city of Rosario.

They will join old friends of the couple and footballers including his Barcelona strike partners Neymar and Luis Suarez.

Suarez and other soccer stars were watched by curious locals as they stepped off private jets on Thursday in the northern port city where the couple met as children. Former Barca and current Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas was also expected, as well as Argentina and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.-AFP

Wozniacki douses British hopes at Eastbourne

EASTBOURNE June 30: Caroline Wozniacki extinguished British hopes at the Eastbourne pre-Wimbledon event on Friday, knocking out Heather Watson to reach the final after a back injury forced Johanna Konta to withdraw.

Seventh-ranked Konta, who suffered a nasty fall in Thursday's win over world number one Angelique Kerber, pulled out of her semi-final against Karolina Pliskova before Wozniacki accounted for Watson 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 at Devonshire Park.

Konta banged her head and back heavily after a horror tumble during her quarter-final victory over Kerber and has been diagnosed with a thoracic spine injury.

The 26-year-old is Britain's best hope of ending a long wait for a women's Grand Slam champion that dates back to Virginia Wade winning the 1977 Wimbledon singles title.

Konta, who won the prestigious Miami tournament earlier this season, had originally been passed fit to play on Friday but decided to pull out to avoid risking further damage.

“The most important thing for me is to look after my health in general,” said Konta, who because of the backlog of matches at Eastbourne had to play twice on Thursday.

“We made the decision based on the fact I'm still quite sore through my thoracic spine. Next week is Wimbledon but I make decisions for my health. AFP

I batted like Sangakkara and Jayasuriya, says Atapattu

Sri Lanka batter Chamari Atapattu has hogged the limelight in the early part of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 like no one had imagined.

A dazzling 178 not out against defending champion Australia has overshadowed several fine performances and the left-hander believes she showed glimpses of her two batting heroes - Kumar Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya, during the knock.

“I started like Sanga and ended like Sanath,” a beaming Atapattu said of her 143-ball knock in which she hit 22 fours and six sixes to help set a challenging 258-run target for Australia.

Atapattu has been around for long and even considered as Sri Lanka’s batting mainstay by many, but to see her come out with such gusto against the world’s top side was a big surprise.

Hailing from Gokarella in central Sri Lanka, Atapattu had to take over captaincy at the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2016 after Shashikala Siriwardene was ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury. That was a learning curve for the former captain as she learned to cope with pressure.

The 27-year-old, who has scored 1906 runs in 61 ODIs and 1001 runs in 58 T20Is, is delighted with how things have panned out and elated at her latest effort.

“I am really happy with my performance. For the first 25-30 overs, I tried to go for singles and the odd boundary. After 35 overs, when the Power Play started, I tried to hit the ball over the ropes,” she said, giving credit to coaches Hemantha Devapriya and Jeevanta Kulatunga for her development as a batter.

Atapattu made her international debut against India during the ICC World Twenty20 2009 in Taunton, not far from where she caught the attention of the entire cricketing world on Thursday with the second-highest score in all World Cup matches.

After top-scoring with 53 in her team’s tournament opener against New Zealand, Atapattu produced the scintillating knock that will be remembered for long despite her team losing to Australia by eight wickets. “I love coming back to England,” she said. “I love the conditions here and we have played a game here before so I knew what the conditions would be like.”

Her 178 not out will go alongside her centuries against Ireland and South Africa but Atapattu rates the stunning knock in Bristol as her finest accomplishment to date.

“This is my best achievement. Australia has experienced bowlers like Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt, who also play in leagues and county matches. I trusted myself and played to my potential.”

Atapattu was encouraged by her father and inspired by cricketing icons Jayasuriya and Sangakkara, who was quick to laud her on twitter after the Bristol knock.

Atapattu though has dedicated her latest knock to her cricket-crazy father, who passed 10 years ago with a cardiac arrest when she was only 17.

“He is the hero in my life. He helped me a lot in my career. He loved cricket. He always pushed me to go and play, supported me in all aspects.

“I liked cricket, but was very lazy. He pushed me to pursue a career in the game.”

Her mother, who retired as a nurse following her father’s death, encouraged the batter to continue playing despite the bereavement. Just two years on, Atapattu would make her international debut.

Atapattu, who likes to travel and mountaineering in her spare time, started slowly in Bristol, ticking things along before exploding in the final 15 overs.

Already a big name in her home town, Atapattu wants to help women’s cricket grow in Sri Lanka.

“A lot of girls are now playing cricket in my town, a few youngsters have come to the national level. We need more girls to play to help improve our cricket. In the next year we will see two or three players come through to play in the national team.”

– ICC news 

Visakha and Joes head points table

Visakha Vidyalaya and St. Joseph’s College headed the points table with 156.50 and 189 respectively at the 44th Sri Lanka Schools Swimming Championship s second day morning session events held at Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex yesterday.

In the second day morning session events four new meet records were set up. Pinsara Sadaham of Sussex College created a record in boys under 9 50m Breaststroke event by clocking 44.34 seconds while Royalist Banuka Jayathilaka set up a record in under 13 50m Breastroke event. In the girls under 9 100m freestyle event K.U.O. Onanga of Sumedha College, Gampaha established a new record by clocking 1:21.44 minutes. Bihandu Hansana of Sri Devananda College set a record in boys under 11 100m freestyle event by clocking 1:07.19 minutes and he also sets a new record yesterday (30) in 100m backstroke event.

Lyceum International School, Wattala secured second place in the points table with 145 points while last year champions Mahamaya College, Kandy became third with 136 points in the girls category. In the boys category Royal College and St. Sebastian’s College secured the second and third places with 116 and 83 points respectively.

Lyceum International School – Wattala and Nugegoda had the highest combined team scorers with 211 and 130 points respectively while Gateway International College were in third place with 53 points.

new meet records:

* Boys under 17 50m butterfly event:

Akalanka Peiris – St. Peter’s College (25.52 secs)

* Boys under 19 50m butterfly event:

Ushan Gunaratne – Lyceum International School, Ratnapura (26.79 secs)

* Girls under 15 200m breaststroke event:

Ramudi Samarakoon – Visakha Vidyalaya (2:47.79 minutes) 

Zimbabawe humble Sri Lanka in record run chase

GALLE: First it was Bangladesh who recorded their maiden Test win over Sri Lanka in March and yesterday it was the turn of Zimbabwe to stun Sri Lanka as they chased down a target of 317 successfully to record their first ODI win in Sri Lanka. It was the highest successful run chase in Sri Lanka in 296 ODIs.

The venue was the Galle International Stadium which was hosting its first ODI since 2000 and Zimbabwe made it a memorable one for them as they swept to an emphatic six wickets win with 14 balls to spare to go one-up in the five-match series yesterday.

Sikhander Raza rejoices a famous victory for Zimbabwe after making the winning hit – a six. AFP

Yesterday also happened to be chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya’s 48th birthday and what an anti-climactic birthday present he received from the team he selected.

The foundation for Zimbabwe’s dramatic win was laid by opener Solomon Mire who scored his maiden ODI century and Sean Williams (65). They shared a record third wicket stand of 161 off 133 balls to set Zimbabwe on course for this famous win in their rather chequered history.

Although both batsmen were dismissed 11 balls of each other by the golden arm of Asela Gunaratne, Zimbabwe who bat deep till number 10 didn’t lose any more wickets as Sikhander Raza (67 n.o.) and Malcolm Waller (40 n.o.) carried them to a win with an unbroken partnership of 102 off 80 balls.

Overall it was Zimbabwe’s eighth win against Sri Lanka in 51 ODIs.

Sri Lanka had only themselves to blame for the defeat as they spilled as many three catches – a malady which they are finding pretty hard to get rid of.

Mire and Williams were both missed and how costly it proved as Sri Lanka was to realize when the partnership between the two grew into ominous proportions. Centurion Mire was dropped twice at 17 by wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella off Amila Aponso and at 94 by Lasith Malinga at deep fine leg off Gunaratne. Williams was put down on 13 by Danushka Gunathilaka at point off Lahiru Madushanka. Had those chances been accepted Sri Lanka would have romped home quite comfortably but it was not to be their day. The lapses on the field hurt Sri Lanka deeply as Zimbabwe made capital out of them.

It was not only their fielding that let Sri Lanka down but also their bowling which was rather sub standard the way they bowled for an international side.

The chances of a defeat wouldn’t have entered their minds when Sri Lanka ended their innings at 316-5 after electing to bat first.

Two youngsters Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis laid the platform for that total with a 117-run stand. Both looked good to get hundreds but they perished playing some injudicious shots. Gunathilaka was out playing the reverse sweep and Mendis got a leading edge attempting to work the ball towards leg. Mendis made 86 off 80 balls and Gunathilaka 60 off 77. Mendis in the process became the second fastest Sri Lankan to reach 1000 runs in ODIs (28 innings) after Roy Dias (27 innings).

Upul Tharanga returning to the side after serving a two-match suspension for slow over rate held the innings for the rest of the overs to remain 79 not out forging two useful half-century partnerships with Angelo Mathews (49) and Gunaratne (28).

However all that effort was lost when Sri Lanka took the field for the Zimbabwe innings.

Mire was named Man of the Match.

The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Sunday. 

‘Sri Lanka’s journey to Test status’ launched

Former Sri Lanka cricket captains (from left) Anura Tennekoon, Michael Tissera and Bandula Warnapura at the launch of the documentary ‘Sri Lanka’s journey to Test status’ by Alston Mahadevan at the NCC pavilion on June 24.The 120 minute DVD is a comprehensive documentary, which includes interviews of most of the living legends who made a significant contribution to Sri Lankan cricket during the pre-Test era. Mahadevan is an old boy of St Anthony’s College, Kandy and an accountant by profession who is domiciled in Australia. 

Olympic Day celebrated in Ampara

The Olympic Day celebration was held at the Ampara Weerasingha Grounds recently under the patronage of Sports Deputy Minister H.M.M.Harees.

This program was organized by the District Secretariat, Ampara to mark the Olympic Day -2017.

Sports Deputy Minister and SLMC Deputy Leader H.M.M.Harees inaugurates the Olympic Day awareness run. An art competition conducted to mark the Olympic Day winner students were awarded prizes by the guests at the ceremony.

Ampara Additional District Secretary K.Wimalanathan, National Olympic Committee General Secretary Maxwell Fernando, Eastern Province Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Smith Edhirisingha, Sports Development Department Director I.P.Wijeyarathna, National Olympic committee Education Director Professor P.L.H.Perera, National Olympic committee officials, Departmental Heads, Sports Players and students all participated at this function. 

SLT wins the 'C' Division Mercantile League Football C'ship 2017

Sri Lanka Telecom team clinched the C Division championship at the recently concluded Mercantile Football Tournament at the City League grounds. The win illustrates the organization’s commitment to nurture employees in all avenues of interests.

The SLT team remained undefeated throughout the tournament beating Seylan Bank (03-01), Colombo Dock Yard (02-01), HSBC (06-00) and Sampath Bank (02-00).

W. Asanka, led the SLT Football team and the team is coached by K. A. Sampath.

Vain effort by Sukitha

A splendid Chanceless 123 runs by the captain of the under 15 division one cricket team of St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa Sukitha Manoj was of no avail in their inter school match played against C.W.W. Kanangara Vidyalaya Colombo as the game came to a half due to rain and played at Moratuwa.

Sukitha had thirteen hits to the ropes and three over and faced 150 balls. Batting first Sebs were all out for 279 runs and Damith Kavinda claimed 6 for 85. In reply when rain stopped paly visitors were reeling at 95 for 7 with Ashan Fernando capturing 4 for 25.

St. Sebastian's – 279 in 57.2 overs – (Sukitha Manoj 123, Ravindu Roshen 34, Chakila Perera 30, Sandun Fernando 32, damith Kavinda 6.85, Chamodya Pasindu 3/54).

C. W. W. Kannangara Vidyalaya – 95/7 – (Gimhana Taheekshana 24, Vibuthi Roshan 28, Ashan Fernando 4/25, Sandun Fernando 2/23). 

Spinners Harmer and Qadri shine in day/night county matches

LONDON, Thursday – South African Simon Harmer took nine wickets as Essex beat Middlesex on Thursday while Afghan teenager and fellow spinner Hamidullah Qadri had a debut to remember as his second-innings five-wicket haul led Derbyshire to their first County Championship victory for two years.

Harmer took nine for 95 as Essex beat Middlesex by an innings and 34 runs to extend their lead at the top od the First Division table to 29 points on the final day of the inaugural round of day-night fixtures.

Middlesex appeared to be heading for a draw at Chelmsford with former England batsman Nick Compton making 120 and putting on 153 with Ireland's Paul Stirling.

But Harmer removed Stirling to spark a collapse that saw Middlesex lose their last seven wickets for just 58 runs to be dismissed for 262 under the lights.

Harmer removed Steven Finn in the penultimate over to complete Essex's victory and take his wicket tally to 28 for 300 runs in the last two matches.

In the Second Division, Qadri, born in Kandahar, had a stunning debut.

The 16-year-old, the youngest player to feature for Derbyshire in the Championship, took five for 60 from 26.3 overs to skittle out hosts Glamorgan for 172 as the Midlands side secured a 39-run win in Cardiff.

The first county cricketer to have been born in the 21st Century, Qadri's haul saw Derbyshire complete their first Championship victory for 710 days.

English county scores on Thursday

County Championship (final day of four):

FIRST DIVISION

+At Chelmsford: Middlesex 246 (P Stirling 77, S Eskinazi 66, D Malan 60; S Harmer 5-77) and 262 (N Compton 120, P Stirling 55; S Harmer 9-95) v Essex 542-3 dec (N Browne 221, A Cook 193, V Chopra 100 no)

Essex (24pts) beat Middlesex (1pt) by an innings and 34 runs

+At Southampton: Hampshire 211-9 dec (L Dawson 53) and 96-5 dec v Somerset 147 (I Holland 4-16, G Berg 4-28) and 88-8

Hampshire (9pts) drew with Somerset (8pts)

+At Edgbaston: No play Thursday due to rain

Lancashire 273 (S Chanderpaul 117 no) & 178-4 (A Davies 79) v Warwickshire 321 (A Umeed 113, J Trott 56, J Patel 50; J Clark 4-81)

Warwickshire (6pts) drew with Lancashire (5pts)

+At Headingley: No play Thursday due to rain

Surrey 516-7 dec (K Sangakkara 180 no, R Burns 90, J Roy 87) v Yorkshire 27-1

Surrey (10pts) drew with Yorkshire (7pts)

SECOND DIVISION

+At Chester-le-Street: No play Thursday due to rain

Durham 197 (J Tongue 4-41) v Worcestershire 367 (B D'Oliveira 122, M Ali 58; M Wood 5-54, R Pringle 4-73)

Durham (8pts) drew with Worcestershire (12pts)

+At Cardiff: Derbyshire 288 (W Madsen 70, T Milnes 53) and 160 (L Reece 55) v Glamorgan 237 (N Selman 50, A Palladino 4-36) and 172 (Hamidullah Qadri 5-60)

Derbyshire (24 pts) bt Glamorgan (4pts) by 39 runs

+At Northampton: Northamptonshire 261 (B Duckett 112, M Holden 92; D Klein 6-80) and 289-7 dec (A Wakely 112, R Keogh 105 no) v Leicestershire 157 & 391 (C Ackermann 105, M Cosgrove 76, M Pillans 56; R Gleeson 4-109)

Northamptonshire (21pts) beat Leicestershire (3pts) by 2 runs

+At Trent Bridge: Kent 180 (D Bell-Drummond 84 no) and 265-9 (A Milne 51) v Nottinghamshire 371 (S Mullaney 168, A Hales 85)

Nottinghamshire (12pts) drew with Kent (8pts)

+At Hove: Sussex 358-9 dec (L Wright 118, B Brown 52, C Jordan 50) and 142-1 dec (H Finch 74 no) v Gloucestershire 150-1 dec (C Bancroft 69 no) and 212-6 (J Taylor 69 no, Hankins 51)

Sussex (9pts) drew with Gloucestershire (8pts) – AFP

Madu-Patron of KSC

Dharmasiri Madugalle, the oldest living Kandy Sports Club ruggerite and captain deserves the honour bestowed on him by being made Patron. He was named Patron for 2017-18 at the AGM held recently.

Madu was a fine ruggerite to come out of Trinity College from 1950 and led the school team in 1953. Under his leadership Trinity won the Bradby Shield 13-0 and 3-0.

He was a good athlete and had the privilege of leading both the rugger and the athletic teams at Trinity in 1952 and 1953. He was a fine wing-three-quarter and played for Kandy SC as a schoolboy in 1953 and went on till 1961.

He was in the Kandy SC’s first cup final team in 1954 and the following year 1955.

He was a member of the Sri Lanka team from 1955 to 1965. In 1964 he led Kandy SC and in 1966 he led Up-Country.

He was in the first all Ceylon team which took part in the All Indian tournament.

He became the first Kandy SC captain to hold the President and Patron’s posts. As a president he executed his duties well because he had played the game at the highest level and he knew how to promote the game.

People of his caliber are sadly missing at the club today.

4500 girls and boys were in action

Around 4500 girls and boys were in action at the Central Province Schools Athletic Championships, which was organized under the direction of chief minister Sarath Ekanayake who is also the education minister.

The meet was organized by the Central Education Department. A big hand should go to Director of Education E.P.T.K. Ekanayake, Zonal director W.M. Wijeratne, and Sports Director Athula Jayewardene for a good job done. This four day meet was held at the Bogambara Stadium. In the girls section A.Ratnayake Central College was placed first for the 25th consecutive year. They collected 396 points.

Second place went to Ambagamuwa Central from Hatton with 106 points. Swarnamali Balika Kandy was third with 98 points.

In the Boys too it was A. Ratnayake Central College Walla who was first for the 20th time with 253 points, Trinity College was second with 187 points and St. Sylvester’s College third with 91 points. Arun Dharmasena of Weera Keppetipola MV Akumramboda was adjudged the best athlete in the boys and in the girls Dilshi Kumarasinghe of A. Ratnayake Central.

Sean coach, Saliya assistant and Kapila manager

Once again Sean Wijesinghe coach, Saliya Kumara assistant and Kapila Silva manager will officiate in their capacity for Kandy SC in the forthcoming season.

They might just be the most valuable resource we have in our game right now. They will have the fullest backing from the rugby chairman Lasantha Wijesuriya who is also the vice president and the kingmaker of the game Malik Samarawickrema both know what rugby is all about and its promotion.

Today this club committee is with more members who have not played the game but they can cheer and clap and inspire the team. Wijesinghe learnt his rugby at Trinity, Kumara at Vidyartha College and later at Trinity and Kapila Silva at Isipathana College.

Kandy SC to call for SGM to correct accounts

It is alleged by some members that at the last Kandy SC committee headed by N. Ratwate failed to present the accounts correctly, and one of the senior persons in the rugby circle Tuan Dole pointed out this shortcoming.

Now they have to face an SGM. Sad to say all this is because of poor management. Fans are querying whether Kandy SC’s golden run is about to end with inefficient members around. Today management wise it is apparently in a mess.

Kandy’s Ransilu sets Asian record

A product of Kingswood College Ransilu Jayatilaka made Kandy proud by setting a new Asian record. He finished 5th in the 120kg category and in the dead lift was able to lift 315 kg.

This as at the 5th open world, sub-junior master classic power lifting championship held at Belarus. Ransilu is also famous in the rugby field where he is a physical trainer.

Dharmaraja under 17 cricket

Dharmaraja College have won all 7 first round matches in Division One against St Anthony’s, Katugastota, St Sylvester’s, St Thomas’ Matale, Sri Sumangala, Kandy, Kegalu Vidyalaya, Sri Rahula, and Vidyartha. In the next round they have to play with Trinity, Mahinda and St. Peter’s. Senaka Dissanayake is the coach.

Schools badly affected at rugby

Schools are to make a request to bring down the ground fee at Nittawela. For a match they have to pay Rs. 70,000, then for practices Rs. 8000 and only 30 players can practice. This is the property of the KMC, which is on lease from 1950’s and renewed every five years for a few thousand rupees. In the good old days it was mentioned in the agreement that the grounds should be given to the village sportsman and also for schools for sports.

Today it is for big money and schools can’t afford it.

Schools rugby 7’s today

Today will be the first day of the schools rugby 7’s. St. Anthony’s, Vidyartha, Kingswood, Trinity, Dharmaraja, Sri Sumangala and St. Sylvester’s are expected to play well. St. Anthony’s won the division one and Sri Rahula division two plate championships in the league. The competition will have 31 teams, divided into eight groups ranging from ‘A’ to ‘H’. The top performer in each group will be promoted to the Cup segment while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th will play in the Plate, Bowl and Shield.

Sean co-ordinator

Kandy SC coach Sean Wijesinghe who was Trinity College coach a few years back has been nominated by the SLRFU as the coordinator for the super sevens Kandy leg.

Azahar in u17 division II second round

Azahar College Akurana, have advanced to the second round as group champions in the school under 17 division two cricket tournament organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association. Azahar College are blessed with a fine set of cricketers and are sure to do well.

5 schools out of 40 from Kandy

In the division I under 15 school cricket tournament organized by Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association, Trinity College “A” and St. Anthony’s College “A” emerged as group champions in the first round, and along with St. Sylvester’s, Dharmaraja and Vidyartha have qualified to play in the second round.

Mavilmada’s Ramazan Day football

The Ramazan 7-a-side football tournament organsized by the Mavilmada Youth was a grand success. The event kicked off on Ramadan festival day at the Municipal Playgrounds at Mawilmada. Everyone present in the ground enjoyed a good days football. The event saw the entire village young and old present at this event. Havelock SC led by M. Shaam emerged champions and Chelsea F.C. led by Ml Jabeer were the runner-up. The best goal keeper award went to Mafaz. All of the distinguished personalities of Mavilmada supported the cause of promoting football. A.W.A. Rasheed, an ardent sports promoter graced the occasion as chief guest.

Vidyartha 3rd in boxing

Vidyartha College were placed third behind Kamburupitya MV and Jaffna’s Vidyananda College in the annual LV Jayaweera boxing meet organised by the Sri Lanka School Boxing Association - a novice meet between the age groups of 13 and 18, where 220 boxers from 45 schools participated.

Vidyartha College boxer G.D.I. Hansaha was adjudged the best boxer and the best loser was Royal College’s K. Sithasara. From Kandy Trinity, Sri Sumangala, Saravi Uyana, Dharmaraja, St. Sylvester’s and Kingswood took part.

Ex-KSC admin sec Melder no more

Former administrative secretary of Kandy Sports Club Ralph Melder is no more. He passed away and his funeral was held on Wednesday at the Mahiyawa Cemetery. A large gathering was present, but sad to say not a single committee member from Kandy SC was there. Melder gave a big hand for Kandy SC, during the presidency of late Chandra Wijenayake.

Showbiz stars gather for Messi’s wedding

Rosario,Friday: Football and showbiz stars gathered in Argentina for Latin America’s celebrity wedding bash of the decade as Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi prepared to marry his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo on Friday.

Pop star Shakira and her husband, Messi’s teammate Gerard Pique, were expected among the 260 guests, according to media and locals close to the event.

They will join old friends of the couple and footballers, including his Barcelona strike partners Neymar and Luis Suarez, in Messi’s northern hometown, Rosario.Suarez and other soccer stars were watched by curious locals as they stepped off private jets on Thursday at Rosario’s airport.

The party will be a respite for Messi from his legal woes. A Spanish court last month rejected his appeal against a conviction for tax fraud.

Brunette bride Roccuzzo, 29, will wear a dress by Rosa Clara -- a Spanish designer who has dressed actress Eva Longoria and Spain’s Queen Letizia.

From 2200 GMT the guests will pack into the Hotel City-Center Casino, which stands right next to a crime-ridden slum run by drug gangs.This city of 1.2 million people is also a cradle of footballing talent, however.

“Rosario lives and breathes football. That is another reason Lionel feels so comfortable here,” the city’s mayor, Monica Fein, told AFP.

“I think he is excited that through his wedding his friends (from abroad) will be able to get to know the city he loves so much.”

The civil wedding ceremony and party will all take place inside the venue, and the guests will be lodged there too. -AFP

Bicycle celebrates little-known 200th anniversary

Domazan: For the next month the eyes of the sporting world will be on the Tour de France, yet few people know what a significant year this is for the bicycle.

Much to the chagrin of amateur historian Claude Reynaud, the 200th anniversary of the invention of the bicycle is likely to pass by with little pomp or fanfare as millions of pairs of eyes gaze at television screens or from the roadside to watch Chris Froome and his rivals battle for yellow jersey glory.

And yet, the 104th edition of the world’s most prestigious cycle race starts in Dusseldorf on Saturday, in the country where 200 years ago Baron Karl Drais invented the bicycle.

Billions of people use bicycles, many on a daily basis, and yet few are aware of this important milestone.

“No-one is celebrating it because the information is unknown,” complained Reynaud, a viticulturist from the south east of France.

“While the Tour de France starts in Dusseldorf this year, when the Grand Boucle presented its route, no-one evoked the bicentenary -- it’s unknown outside of a small circle of initiates.”

Reynaud has fought a 50-year battle to defend the memory of the invention of the bicycle.

He even houses a museum in its honour at his chateau in Domazan, in the Occitanie region of France.

“I could talk about it for hours,” Reynaud said of the history of the bicycle, his gravelly voice almost drowned out by the sound of crickets.

He has written several self-published books on the subject that are sold only at his chateau.

“It’s from passion,” he said of his tireless labours.

Reynaud said it was on June 12, 1817 that “for the first time, a man took a two-wheeler and went on a road” in the Mannheim region of what was then the Grand Duchy of Baden, now part of southwest Germany.

Baron Drais’s “velocipede” (nicknamed the ‘dandy horse’) had no pedals or a chain and required the rider to propel his “Laufmaschine” (running machine) by pushing off the ground with his feet.

But the Baron’s genius was that “he discovered balance on two wheels”, said Reynaud.

“Like all ingenious inventions, it seems obvious, but someone had to think it. He invented the two-wheeler!”

However, the running machine was far from a resounding success and had its faults, notably proving difficult to control on bumpy surfaces. When Drais organised a demonstration of the velocipede at the Jardin de Luxembourg park in Paris in 1818, “it was a disaster”.

“People thought it was ridiculous and made cartoons about it,” said Reynaud, who has included some of those caricatures in his museum.

“At first, it didn’t work, he couldn’t sell it, people made fun of it.”

But the idea had taken root and was soon being copied, particularly in France, although many draisines (as it was known there) were adorned with horses heads.

In 1866, Pierre Lallement attached pedals to the draisine and invented a pedal-powered velocipede.

The next stage in the development of the bicycle saw a huge front wheel attached with a small rear wheel, but it was a machine that was far from stable and resulted in some spectacular crashes.

It wasn’t until 1885 that two similar-sized wheels were attached to the velocipede.

“After that it was just a case of technical improvements, but all the ideas already existed -- brake cables, pedals, chains,” said Reynaud.

“The bicycle enjoyed an exponential success, especially from 1890 with the invention of the tyre.”

Reynaud’s Chateau de Bosc welcomes 6,000 visitors a year to its museum but the amateur historian’s greatest regret is that he doesn’t own an original Laufmaschine to put on display.

“There are only four left and they belong to national museums. They’re out of reach, I’ll never have one.”

-AFP

Test status a precarious prize for Ireland

Mission accomplished! Bravo for Cricket Ireland and especially its dogged chief executive Warren Deutrom.

Test status was Ireland’s destiny - a long battle, fought on the field and in the boardrooms of world cricket that would be waged until victory was assured.

“Test cricket is the pinnacle of the sport and it’s what we’ve all been aiming for,” said a delighted Deutrom after Ireland and Afghanistan were awarded Full Membership by the ICC on Thursday.

“We are striving to make Ireland not only a major nation in cricket, but also to make cricket a major mainstream sport in the country.

“The sport has grown substantially since 2007, with participation levels quadrupling in that time. We see this not as the end of the road, but just the first step in taking our wonderful sport further and higher in the years ahead.”

The allure of Test cricket saw Ed Joyce, Boyd Rankin and Eoin Morgan switch allegiance to England. Ireland’s best young players can now experience five-day cricket on home soil.

It’s a time of celebration but once the fizz has gone out of the champagne a huge challenge awaits.

Rivalling the big beasts of football, GAA and rugby in the Irish sporting landscape is a massive ask for a sport which rarely features on the back pages.

Cricket is indeed a growth sport but pushing on to the next level will require success in the Test arena to inspire the young to pick up a bat and ball.Gaining that success will be the toughest task - just ask Bangladesh.

A cricket-mad nation with a population of 161 million, it was awarded Test status in 2000 and the Tigers suffered over a decade of humiliating defeats before being able to compete with the best.

Ireland has to make the best from 6.5 million citizens and after a long period of improvement an ageing team is beginning to struggle on the international stage.

The addition of Ireland and Afghanistan brings the number of Test teams up to 12 and a two-tier league format has been mooted to make games more competitive.This would be a positive move for Ireland, allowing them to find their feet in Test cricket, going into matches with a realistic chance of winning. An additional one-off Test against a side preparing for a series in England could add a much-need glamour game to the calendar.

The words cricket and Ireland do not sit easily together and the reason lies in the skies above.

In this part of the world five straight days without rain is considered to be something approaching drought conditions.

It ensures we live in a green, lush land but precipitation is the mortal enemy of cricket and it’s likely to be the bane of many a Test in Ireland.

There’s also the decline, with the exception of England, of Test cricket as a spectacle with only the shorter forms of the game filling stadiums.

So it will be a tough sell for Cricket Ireland and the hard work starts now. We now have first-class cricket in the form of the Inter-Provincial Series and it must produce Test-calibre players for the masterplan to succeed.

It all adds up to this being a risky venture but surely a worthwhile one, for cricket in Ireland would suffer stagnation if this natural progression was blocked.

We are in it for the long haul, it will require patience and thoughts of instant success should be dispelled.

A week down in beautiful Malahide to watch the Boys in Green (or should I say white) knock it about under a warm summer sun - it doesn’t get much better than that.

– BBC

Venus Williams at fault in fatal car crash in Florida - police

US tennis star Venus Williams has been involved in a car crash that led to the death of a 78-year-old man.

A spokesman for Palm Beach Gardens police in Florida confirmed to the BBC they were investigating a fatal crash involving the Grand Slam champion.

A man was taken to hospital after the accident on 9 June and died two weeks later from his injuries, he said.

Police believe she was at fault but her lawyer says it was an accident. She has not been cited or charged.

The man who died, Jerome Barson, was travelling with his wife who was driving their vehicle through an intersection when the collision happened.

Ms Williams’ car suddenly darted into their path and was unable to clear the junction in time due to traffic jams, according to witness statements in a police report obtained by US media.

Mrs Barson was also taken to hospital but survived.

“[Ms Williams] is at fault for violating the right of way of [the other driver],” the report said, adding that there were no other factors like drugs, alcohol or mobile phone distractions.

The 37-year-old, seven-time Grand Slam champion reportedly told police she did not see the couple’s car and she was driving slowly.

Ms Williams’ lawyer Malcolm Cunningham told CNN in a statement: “Ms Williams entered the intersection on a green light. The police report estimates that Ms Williams was travelling at 5mph when Mrs Barson crashed into her.

“Authorities did not issue Ms Williams with any citations or traffic violations. This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one.”

Next week, Ms Williams is due to play her 20th Wimbledon tournament in London, where she is seeded 10th.

Ms Williams and her sister Serena have dominated the women’s game for two decades. -BBC 

Venus Williams at fault in fatal car crash in Florida - Police

 

US tennis star Venus Williams has been involved in a car crash that led to the death of a 78-year-old man.

A spokesman for Palm Beach Gardens Police in Florida confirmed to the BBC they were investigating a fatal crash involving the Grand Slam champion.

A man was taken to hospital after the accident on 9 June and died two weeks later from his injuries, he said.

Police believe she was at fault but her lawyer says it was an accident. She has not been cited or charged.

The man who died, Jerome Barson, was travelling with his wife who was driving their vehicle through an intersection when the collision happened.

Williams' car suddenly darted into their path and was unable to clear the junction in time due to traffic jams, according to witness statements in a police report obtained by US media.

Barson was also taken to hospital but survived.

"[ Williams] is at fault for violating the right of way of [the other driver]," the report said, adding that there were no other factors like drugs, alcohol or mobile phone distractions.

The 37-year-old, seven-time Grand Slam champion reportedly told police she did not see the couple's car and she was driving slowly.

Williams' lawyer Malcolm Cunningham told CNN in a statement: "Williams entered the intersection on a green light. The police report estimates that Williams was travelling at 5mph when Barson crashed into her.

"Authorities did not issue Williams with any citations or traffic violations. This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one."

Next week, Williams is due to play her 20th Wimbledon tournament in London, where she is seeded 10th.

Williams and her sister Serena have dominated the women's game for two decades.

Sri Lanka wins the toss and elects to bat first

 

Sri Lankan won the toss and elected to bat first at today’s One Day International (ODI) match against Zimbabwe at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

Niroshen Diwella and Danushka Gunathilaka built a partnership of 70 points and Kusal Mendis and Upul Tharanga are still batting.

Today’s match is the first match of the five day ODI series.

Two matches will be held in the Galle Stadium while the rest is due to be held in the Hambantota Stadium.

So far Zimbabwe has won two and lost 26 matches against Sri Lanka since 2000.

This is the first ODI match held in the Galle stadium since July 2000.

Getting a belly full

The protruding tummy of Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been the talking point over the past weeks after Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera accused the cricket team of being overweight and unfit. Picture shows Malinga during practice at the Galle International Stadium nets yesterday.

AFP - pic by Ishara Kodikara. 

Kusal Perera ruled out of Zim series

GALLE: Sri Lanka’s hard hitting wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Perera is out of the current Zimbabwe series and is even doubtful for the series against India starting later next month.

“Kusal is out for the whole series against Zimbabwe. The physio says he will be out for at least 8-12 weeks. He is also touch and go for the Indian series. We will have to closely monitor him,” said Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews.

Perera picked up a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s seven-wicket win against India at the Oval during the Champions Trophy in England early this month. Meanwhile Mathews stated that he will not be bowling in Test cricket but has restricted himself to only ODIs and T20Is.

“I have not been given the green light to bowl. I will not be bowling in Test cricket but am looking forward to bowling in ODIs and T20Is,” said Mathews. “At the moment the medical team’s advice is that my workload has to increase for me to start bowling again.”

Mathews suffered from a calf injury ahead of the Champions Trophy opener against South Africa which he was forced to miss. He returned for the second game against India playing as a batsman. He has not bowled since his injury.

– ST

All the records Chamari Atapattu broke on her way to scoring 178 n.o.

Zimbabwe looking to do damage with spin

GALLE: Zimbabwe will be looking to do some damage to Sri Lanka’s batting through their spinners during the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting at Galle today.

“We rely heavily on our spin department which we hope if there is a bit of spin in Sri Lanka we can exploit that. With our spin dominant team we can do some damage tomorrow,” said Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cremer at the pre-match press conference.

Leg-break and googly bowler Cremer leads the group of spinners that also includes off-spinner Sikander Raza and slow left-arm orthodox bowlers Wellington Masakadza and Sean Williams.

Masakadza is doubtful after getting injured during practice on Wednesday.

“Wellington has to go to Colombo for a scan but it’s not looking great at this stage. By the end of today or tomorrow morning we will know his exact situation once he has the scan,” said Cremer.

Zimbabwe is also confident with their batting which runs deep.

“After the last Scotland and Holland tours we found that we have a lot of batting depth. It’s just worked up with the combinations we are trying to play. We bat all the way upto no. 10 hopefully we can use that,” said Cremer who is recovering from a bout of ’flu which he picked up on his arrival in Sri Lanka.

“It was a long trip and I had a bit of flu that’s kicked in the last few days. Feeling a bit better today hopefully by tomorrow will be 100 percent,” said Cremer.

Apart from the captain three other team members was also hit by the bug. “We got medication yesterday think everyone will be alright by tomorrow.”

Cremer expects his team to struggle against the hot conditions they will experience in Sri Lanka.

"Obviously it’s a bit hot and especially after our last two tours to Scotland and Holland which was very different from here. Two days to get used to this condition is quite tough and we will find it tough tomorrow,” said Cremer. “A few of our guys have toured here before so we know how to handle it. I think we will be okay.

“It’s always tough touring Sri Lanka because of the conditions here and the wickets aren’t what we are used to but yesterday and today luckily we got wickets out in the centre which we think is similar to the actual match pitch. It’s been good preparation. I think we will be able to adjust,” Cremer said.

Cremer is confident his boys will be able to counter the threat posed by fast bowler Lasith Malinga.

“He is a world class bowler but luckily a lot of us have played him before. We know he is an asset to Sri Lankan cricket we just need to deal with him as best as we can,” said Cremer. “He’s got a lot of variations and he is a lot different to other bowlers but we are lucky that we have played him before so it will be a lot easier facing him.”

Cremer said that it was disappointing to see his team not be in the top eight of the ODI rankings. “West Indies is also in the same boat it’s just one of those things. We can’t delve too much on that but we need to put in some good performances over the next couple of months and try and qualify for the World Cup. That’s a stepping stone and that’s where we want to be. We know we just need to win games to get into that top eight,” said Cremer.

Lanka aiming for maximum – a clean sweep

Five-match ODI series v Zimbabwe commences today:

GALLE: Sri Lanka will be leaving no stone unturned by trying to make a clean 5-0 sweep of the five-match one-day international series against low ranked Zimbabwe which commences at the Galle International Stadium today, and grab maximum points to lift themselves off the precarious position of eighth in the ICC ODI rankings.

Sri Lanka cannot afford to drop further than that because it would mean they will have to qualify to play in the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

A clean sweep of the series would see them rise to either seventh or sixth displacing Bangladesh or the newly crowned Champions Trophy winners Pakistan.

“We don’t want to take Zimbabwe lightly if we can win 5-0 it will be good but we are not thinking too far ahead but taking one game at a time,” said Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews at the pre-match press conference yesterday.

“The outcome of a 5-0 win would be ideal but you’ve got to play good cricket to beat the Zimbabweans even if it is in our home conditions. We have not played an ODI at Galle since 2000, it is exciting to play here but our main objective is to win the game,” he said.

Although Sri Lanka are playing a low ranked team like Zimbabwe, Mathews said the intensity levels will not drop.

“When we prepare for a series it doesn’t really matter whether we are playing Australia or Zimbabwe we train to our maximum and we will try and not think about the opposition too much but think about how we can improve as a team,” said Mathews.

“Tactically combinations might change a little bit but not too much. We will look to play according to the conditions but whoever we play we will play our best combination to win.”

Mathews said that Sri Lanka was working towards a settled team and they would try and minimize changes to it as far as possible.

“Consistency is something we are looking and we saw it in the Champions Trophy where we didn’t meddle with the batting order too much. It is one aspect that we are not trying to experiment too much,” said Mathews.

“We will try and go with at least 6-8 batters in the next few months. There could be one or two changes due to injuries or depending on the form. When it comes to the bowlers we play a lot of cricket. We want to manage the workloads of the fast bowlers and also with the spinners. It’s not easy to play a lot of games continuously,” he said.

Fielding has been a key issue with the Lankan team and Mathews said, “Fielding is an individual thing. If you had a look at the last two training sessions the boys were sweating it out. We are working extremely hard, one or two catches will be dropped anyway and in the future as well. No one goes to a game thinking to drop a catch but unfortunately we do mistakes and we will still do mistakes. We have to minimize it by working extremely hard.”

Mathews said Sri Lanka’s combination for the match depended on the pitch they would get and on the conditions under which they will have to play. Despite the constant rains in Colombo, Galle was bright and sunny yesterday allowing both teams to get a full work out for today’s game.

 

Reborn T-Shirts Power Lanka - Zimbabwe Cricket Series

Renowned t-shirt maker Reborn will power the Cricket Series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe scheduled to commence tomorrow (June 30) and will continue up to mid July 2017.

The bilateral series, which consists of 5 limited over games, will be held in Galle and Hambantota, while the test match will be in Colombo.

It’s been a long time from now that one-day games have been conducted in Galle, thus bringing more excitement to a wider audience.

Reborn t-shirts the home grown brand has in recent times dominated the market in Sri Lanka with their superior quality and impressive t-shirts which enhance the wearer and are made out of high quality fabrics, while the designs are both contemporary as well as on par with international standards, empowering the wearer to feel good as well as look good !

Reborn has been providing the Sri Lanka National Rugby Team with their Rugby Jerseys for the past five years, providing them with performance enhancing rugby jerseys which comply with the high intensity of the game .

Reborn currently has franchise partners in Pakistan and resellers in India and the Maldives, while the holding company Stafford Garments Industries (Pvt)Ltd hopes to establish more global partnerships in the course of 2017.

MD of Stafford Garments, Shakir Hafeez said, “it’s a proud milestone for the Company to sponsor such an exciting event and we wish both teams the best of luck” . 

Sheron excels for Holy Cross, Kalutara

A briliant 140 runs from the Sri Lanka Under 15 player the captain and the gloveman of under 15 division one cricket team of Holy Cross College Kalutara Sheron Lakshitha Fonseka helped Holy Cross to beat S. de S. Jayasinghe College, Dehiwala by a massive 211 runs on first innings in their inter school tournament cricket match worked off at Kalutara.

Sheron had fourteen boundaries and three sixes and occupied the crease for 150 and faced 149 balls. Also he associated in a second wicket partnership of 134 runs with Ahmed Aathif who contributed 40 runs and with this win Holy cross booked a berth in the second round.

Batting first homesters declared after piling up 252 for 7 with Amiru Oshada claiming 4 for 50 runs and in reply visitors were skittled out for a paltry 35 runs with Patheesha Sharmas and Nirmala Shamal claiming 3 for 1 and 3 for 14 respectively following on at stumps visitors were 46 for 5 with Shalitha Kasun bagging 3 for 19.

Earlier Sheron scored 131 runs against Pragnananda Vidyalaya and 120 Versus Velluwana College and 75 against Kalutara Vidyalaya and 57 versus Maris Stella College with an aggregeate of 523 runs and a Bradsmanque average of 104.6.

Holy Cross College – 252/7 dec. (Sheron Lakshitha Fonseka 140, Ahmed Aathif 40, Salitha Kasun 32, Amiru Oshada 4/50).

S de S Jayasinghe College – 35 in 24.2 overs – (Patheesha Sharmal 3/1, Nirmala Shamal 3/14, Shalitha Kasun 2/11 and 46/5 – Tharindu Hansaka 20 N/o, Shalitha Kasun 3/19). 

Holy Cross, Kalutara under 15 Group leaders

Holy Cross College, one of the leading educational institutions situated in the Kalutara District has produced fine cricketers of fame from time to time.

This year their under 15 division one cricket team has excelled and emerged as unbeaten leaders of their group and have already booked a berth in the second round.

They are captained by wicket keeper batsman and Sri Lanka Schools under 15 cricketer Sheron Lakshitha Fonseka and his deputy is Thuhina Fernando.

They beat Pragnananda Vidyalaya, Veluwana College, S de S Jayasinghe Vidyalaya, Kalutara Vidyalaya and Maris Stella College, Negombo and they were held to a no decision by St Joseph’s College due to rain.

They are coached by former Panadura Mahanama College cricketer Dinesh Chandimal.

Their Rector Rev Fr Carlton de Silva, Prefect of Games Rev Fr Crishan Jayashantha, Master in Charge Priyantha Fernando and the Old Boys Union are behind their success. 

Gihan pilots Soysapura MV to victory

A splendid 101 runs and 3 for 18 by Chamod Gihan Peiris guided Soysapura Maha Vidyalaya Angulana, Moratuwa to beat Prince of Wales College by 75 runs on first innings in their inter school under 15 division three tournament cricket match played at Moratuwa and conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association.

Chamod had ten hits to the ropes and three over it and occupied the crease for 125 minutes and faced 93 balls. With this win Soysapura Maha Vidyalaya have booked a berth in the second round.

Earlier Chamod scored 115 against Methodist School, Rawatawatte and 89 versus Vidyadeepa College and 8 and 62 against Sri Rajasinghe Vidyalaya, Buthgamuwa with an aggregate of 377 runs and an average of 75.4.

Batting first Cambrians were all out for 103 runs with Sacheen Amoda claiming 4 for 5 runs and in reply visitors were 175 for 9 at the close with Sandun Ranatunge capturing 4 for 32.

Chief scores

Prince of Wales – 103 in 49.1 overs (Sandun Ranatunge 32, Sacheen Amoda 4/5, Chamod Gehan 3/18)

Soysapura MV – 175/9 in 42.3 overs (Chamod Gehan 101, Sandun Ranatunge 4/32, Dinath Dulsen 3/48) 

NOC objects to selection of more boxers for Commonwealth Games

The National Olympic Committee has objected to the suggestions made by the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka to pick 12 boxers for the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia 2017 as Sri Lanka will be fielding only 55 competitors for the games.

At a meeting held at the Sports Ministry presided over by Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, the President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (ABASL) Dian Gomes has suggested that more boxers should be included in the squad as they have a good chance of winning medals, but the secretary of the NOC Maxwell de Silva has said that they should not be given preference as Sri Lanka has received only 55 slots compared to 104 at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

De Silva has pointed out that in recent Commonwealth games weightlifters, athletes and pistol shooters have won more medals than boxers so that boxers should not be given preferential treatment.

Although Manju Wanniarachchi won a gold medal in Bantamweight 56 kg category at the 2010 Commonwealth games in New Delhi by beating Wales’ Shane McGoldrick he was disqualified later as he was found guilty of taking performance enhancing drugs.

Four years later in Glasgow games except for Anuruddha Ratnayake, Maduranga Pathirage and Shiromala Wickremesinghe all other boxers were knocked out in the first round. In the 2014 games, all ten boxers who represented Sri Lanka could not win a single medal but the President of BASL Dian Gomes said that this year at least five boxers could win medals for Sri Lanka in Gold Coast, Australia.

The Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera has given instructions to select all the competitors by September, 2017 for the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast in Australia so that they can be given training by foreign coaches in preparation for the games.

Anika stamps her class with a triple crown at Colombo C'ship

Junior Fed Cup team member Anika Seneviratne and young Peterite tennis prodigy, Pesanjith Kannangara were adjudged the Vision Care Senior Player and Junior Player of the recently concluded Colombo Championship tennis tournament.

Anika maintained a superb record through out the tournament and bagged a triple crown, winning women's singles, women's doubles partnered by Jithmie Jayawickrema and mixed doubles partnered by T. Dineshkanthan. Pesanjith emerged champion of under-14 and U-16 boys' singles events and became runner-up of boys' U-14 doubles event partnering with Nelaka Dissanayaka.

Nishangan Nadaraja walked away with the A.C. Goonaratne memorial trophy for the men's singles champion as he beat Sankha Athokorala in the final. Aniaka was awarded the Sriya Munasinghe Challenge Trophy for the women's singles champion. She defeated Roshenka Fernando in the final.

Sankha Athukorala and Yasitha De Silva clinched the Air Vice Marshal Morris Fernando challenge trophy beating Heera Ashiq and Tanveer Ashiq in the men's doubles final.

Anika and Jithmie Jayawickrema were presented the S. B. Wijeratna challenge trophy for women's doubles winners as they beat Roshenka Fernando and Rukshika Wijesuriya in the final.

It was Anika's third title victory call in the event, this time partnered by T. Dineshkanthan to wrap up the A. A. Cader challeng trophy for the mixed doubles winners. The duo beat Sankha Athukorala and Medhira Samarasinghe in the final.

In the age category junior events, Rukshika Wijesuriya won the under-18 girls' singles title beating Sathi Silva. Rukshika was awarded the Irma Paul memorial trophy. The elite age category (U-18) boys singles crown was won by Avindra Perera beating Nuwantha Dissanayaka. Avindra was awarded the Arjan Perera memorial trophy.

Seasoned campaigner D. M. Gamini was beaten by D. S. R. Dharmasena in the Wheelchair singles final and Dharmasena partnered by Suresh Ranaweera clinched the Wheelchair doubles crown over Gamini and Sunil Perera.

 

Winners of remaining junior events -

Girls' U-12 singles - Dhinethya Dharmaratne

Girls' U-14 singles - Anjalika Kurera

Girls' U-14 doubles - Oneli Perera and Sethmi Sumanaweera

Girls' U-16 singles - Neyara Weerawansa

Girls U-16 doubles - Anjalika Kurera and Sathi Silva

Boys' U-12 singles - Wenuka Kithnula

Boys' U-14 singles - Pesanjith Kannangara

Boys' U-14 doubles - Sahan Weerasooriya and Thehan Wijemanne

Boys' U-16 singles - Pesanjith Kannangara

Boys' U-16 doubles - Ashen Silva and Vinuja Wijebandara

Winners of remaining senior events -

Mens' over 35 doubles - Lt. Col. P. Vithanage and Jayendra Wijesekera

Men's over 45 singles - Sam Balasingh

Men's over 45 doubles - Lt. Col. P. Vithanage and Jayendra Wijesekera

Men's over 55 singles - S. M. A. Samarakoon

Men's over 55 doubles - S. M. A. Samarakoon and S. A. Seneviratne 

A tribute to late Dr Upali Mahanama my guru

Dr Upali Mahanama was a man of many parts, an internationally recognised marketing consultant, one of the best orators in Sri Lanka and above all a humble human being.

I first met him at Anglo Asian’s and he was the Managing Director marketing and I was a subordinate of his, he came from Lever Brothers where he was outstanding with his marketing strategies. He was head hunted by Anglo Asians to resurrect their flagging marketing division. He believed in team work and I found him easy to get on with, and he made some useful changes to that set up.

My next meeting with him was after a long time at Weli Park, Nawala, where I met him and he invited me to his home. At the time, I was about to embark on my third cricket book “The Saga of The Maroons” and I desperately needed his guidance. He was a hard task master, but the tips and advice he gave me was invaluable in spite of his busy schedule. He was a Marketing Consultant to many prestigious companies in Asia then.

I used to meet him at 11am sharp at his residence in Nugegoda, and I suppose that was his auspicious time and he used to give me about 40 precious minutes of his invaluable time. He did not interfere with my flow of writing but gave me good advice on editing, the contents, and how to approach people for interviews and conduct them; his knowledge of writing was out of this world. He never hesitated to “call a spade a spade.” He was a simple down to earth, gentleman who was always at ease, either in his sarong and banian at home or in his three-piece suit delivering lectures to prestigious audience’s right around the globe. He was raconteur par excellence, who could hold and audience spell bound for hours on end.

I owe a great debt to him for resurrecting my career as a writer. After writing for a couple of newspapers and, getting nowhere, he recommended me to the present sports editor of this newspaper who graciously gave me the opportunity to write my own weekly column called ‘Reminiscing with Tilak.’ Without this introduction by Doc (I always refer to Dr Mahanama as Doc), I would have still been an also ran.

Doc my guru guided me all the way to the launch of my book as follows, booking the hall, list of invitees, designing the invitation cards, etc, etc.

The last time I saw him was during the “New Year’s Day”. On that day he looked hale and hearty, and encouraged me to keep going and wished me luck. From then on, I did not want to trouble him much. His family and Roshan Mahanama in particular did their best till the very end but nobody could stop him from going to heaven. 

'Battle of Lyceumers' on July 1 at Moratuwa

The 2nd 'Battle of Lyceumers' limited over cricket encounter 2017 between Lyceum International School, Nugegoda and Lyceum International School, Panadura for Nikitha Grero Challenge Trophy will be held on July 1 at De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa. This big match was initiated by Nikitha Grero last year and Panadura Lyceum will be the host this year.

The Nugegoda team will be lead by Dewmin De Alwis under the guidance of head coach Lal Senarathna and MIC Pathum Madhushanka while the Panadura team will be skippered by Nesanda Weerasekara under the supervision of head Coach Kapila Mahinda and MIC Rumesh Wickramasinghe.

Lyceum Panadura became the champions of the inaugural encounter, last year by chasing the winning score of 92 runs in just 11.5 overs with 5 wickets intact after they restricted Nugegoda lads for a paltry 91 runs in 29 overs.

Both teams got opportunity to play in the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Tournament almost one year back and have fared well since. Lyceum Nugegoda U-15 cricketers became Division 3 champions. Lyceum Panadura reached U-13 Division 3 quarter finals while their U-17 team reached Pre-Quarters of the same Division. In addition both teams have performed remarkably well in all age groups of the Inter International Schools Cricket Tournament.

Uncle Sam’s will be the main sponsor for 2017 Nikitha Grero Challenge Trophy cricket encounter while Next Click Studio and Planet Education - Aus Study Gateway joined as Co-Sponsors. jobAds.lk and Sign – Tech Advertising are the Special Sponsors. 

Afghan teenager has English counties in a spin

London: Afghanistan teenage leg spin ace Rashid Khan is being courted by two English counties according to Wednesday's Daily Mail. The 18-year-old -- who earlier this month produced the fourth best bowling figures ever in ODI cricket, taking seven for 18 to destroy the West Indies batting line-up in Saint Lucia -- has taken 63 wickets in 29 ODI's and 42 in 27 Twenty20 appearances for his country.

However, according to the newspaper the problem regarding Khan -- who is higher than any of the English bowlers in both the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI and T20 rankings -- is whether he passes strict work visa regulations. AFP 

Tindall heartbroken at loss of 'greatest friend' Toytown

London: Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter Zara Tindall says she is 'heartbroken' at the death of Toytown, the horse she combined with to win European and world three day eventing individual titles.

Toytown, believed to be 25, had to be put down on Tuesday for medical reasons drawing the emotional statement from Tindall, who under her maiden name Phillips rode Toytown to European individual and team gold in 2005 and then world individual glory in 2006.

They won another European team gold in 2007 but injury prevented him from appearing at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games -- he eventually retired from competition in 2011.

"I'm heartbroken to say that yesterday morning (Tuesday) I had to say goodbye to my greatest friend and horse of a lifetime, Toytown," read her statement.

"He was the most incredible athlete with the biggest heart, European and World champion back to back.

"He made my career and I couldn't be more grateful to him for the amazing times we had together. He was a huge part of my family, an amazing animal and a true champion.

"I will miss you forever." AFP

Shastri to apply for India coach job

New Delhi: Former captain Ravi Shastri will apply to become India's head coach after the national cricket board extended the application deadline following Anil Kumble's shock exit, reports said Wednesday.

"Yes, I have decided to apply for the job," the cricketer-turned-television commentator was quoted as saying by the New Indian Express.

Top names such as former batsman Virender Sehwag and Australia's Tom Moody are already in the running for one of the toughest jobs in cricket.

Shastri applied for the job last year after being team director between 2014-16.

Kumble was appointed instead and coached India to five Test series victories but resigned last week, stating his partnership with India captain Virat Kohli had become "untenable".

Former all-rounder Shastri, 55, has been touted as a strong candidate who has a good relationship with Kohli.

The new coach for the world's number one Test team will be decided by a three-man committee made up of former India stars Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. Ganguly was reportedly key in Kumble being chosen over Shastri in June last year. The two former captains have publicly rowed over the coach's post.

However Ganguly said of Shastri's renewed candidacy: "Everybody has the right to apply. We will find out."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has said applications will be accepted until July 9. The BCCI is aiming to announce the new coach before India head to Sri Lanka in July. AFP

Andy Murray tops seedings for Wimbledon 2017

Ahead of Djokovic, Federer & Nadal:

Britain's defending champion Andy Murray has been named top seed as the 'big four' in men's tennis head the rankings for Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic is second, Roger Federer third and Rafael Nadal fourth seed.

It is the first time since Wimbledon 2014 that the four players have been named top seeds for a Grand Slam and keeps them apart until the semi-finals.

German Angelique Kerber is the top women's seed with Britain's Johanna Konta sixth.

The draw will be held on Friday for the tournament, which starts on Monday, 3 July.

Murray, who won Wimbledon for the second time last year, pulled out of his scheduled warm-up match at the Hurlingham Club on Tuesday with a sore hip but the 30-year-old Scot still plans to play an as-yet-unnamed opponent on Friday.

With the men's seedings taking into account recent grass court form, Djokovic and Federer move up two places from their world ranking, with Nadal and fifth seed Stan Wawrinka dropping two.

The Queen's Club champion Feliciano Lopez is ranked 25, but will be seeded 19th for Wimbledon.

Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas has withdrawn with a knee injury, meaning Spain's Fernando Verdasco is now seeded 31st. Cuevas will be replaced by a lucky loser.

Women's seedings reflect the world rankings, with Simona Halep second behind Kerber, while 26-year-old Konta looks to get further than the second round for the first time.

Defending champion Serena Williams is absent because she is pregnant.

Briton Jamie Murray and his partner Bruno Soares are the third seeds for the men's doubles, which are headed by Henri Kontinen and John Peers.

Top seeds - Men's singles

1 Andy Murray (GB), 2 Novak Djokoic (Ser), 3 Roger Federer (Swi), 4 Rafael Nadal (Spa), 5 Stan Wawrinka (Swi), 6 Milos Raonic (Can), 7 Marin Cilic (Cro), 8 Dominic Thiem (Aut), 9 Kei Nishikori (Jpn), 10 Alexander Zverev (Ger), 11 Tomas Berdych (Cze), 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra), 13 Grigor Dimitrov (Bul), 14 Lucas Pouille (Fra), 15 Gael Monfils (FRA), 16 Gilles Muller (Lux)

Top seeds - Women's singles

1 Angelique Kerber (Ger), 2 Simona Halep (Rom), 3 Karolina Pliskova (Cze), 4 Elina Svitolina (Ukr), 5 Caroline Wozniacki (Den), 6 Johanna Konta (GB), 7 Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus), 8 Dominika Cibulkova (Svk), 9 Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol), 10 Venus Williams (US), 11 Petra Kvitova (Cze), 12 Kristina Mladenovic (Fra) 13 Jelena Ostapenko (Lat), 14 Garbine Muguruza (Spa), 15 Elena Vesnina (Rus), 16 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus)

Sports Minister wants sports bodies to adopt a selection criteria

An order has been made to all the sports associations to adopt selection criteria when selecting sportspersons to the respective national teams, Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara said yesterday. There were no such criteria until this decision was made, Minister Jayasekara pointed out.

The Minister was speaking at the Cabinet press briefing yesterday which was held at the Department of Government Information.

“The sportsmen had no way to question as to why they were not selected to a team. They have a right to ask so. No one knew how selections were done regarding any national team.” Minister Jayasekara pointed out.

The sportspersons who have doubts regarding the selection process can now make an appeal to the National Selection Committee, the Minister said.

The final decision will be made regarding selections by the Minister of Sports, as provisioned by the Sports Act.

“One cannot call it a political involvement since it is the same method adopted in all the other countries.” he explained.

Minister Jayasekara also said, the fitness levels of the national cricket team was not satisfactory. “They have promised to improve their fitness levels within the next coming three months.” he said.

Minister Jayasekara also said that he will not give his approval to the selections unless the athletes have provided the certificate issued by the Institute of Sports Medicine regarding their physical fitness.

Questioned on cricketer Lasith Malinga’s suspension, Minister Jayasekara said he has no personal vendetta against any sportsman or sportswoman.

Jayasekara said he did not intend to isolate one cricketer when he was commenting on the fitness issue of the Sri Lanka cricket team. “If, however, someone wears the cap as it fits, I cannot help it.”

“I have nothing personal against anybody in the Sri Lankan cricket team or against any other sports person in the country. It is important that all feel responsible towards Sri Lanka sports. No responsible party should try to brew animosities between the Minister of Sports and the cricketers.” Jayasekara said.

End of an innings for Dr. Upali Mahanama

Dr. Upali Mahanama, a former president of the Association of Cricket Umpires Sri Lanka (ACUSL) and father of former Sri Lanka cricket captain and ICC Match Referee Roshan Mahanama passed away at his residence at Nugegoda yesterday four days before his 77th birthday which falls on Sunday.

Upali has been ailing for some time fighting the dreaded disease of prostate cancer for the past five years. He breathed his last in the early hours of yesterday with his family – wife Swarna and sons Devaka and Roshan by his side.

Upali was a man of many parts and there was nothing he had not achieved in life, which he lived to the full.

He was a recognized sportsman and sports administrator, having captained Bloomfield C & AC in the Daily News Trophy and being a member of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, President of the ACUSL and President of the prestigious Mercantile Cricket Association.

Upali played for Nalanda College in 1959 under the captaincy of Sarath Silva and was followed by his two sons Devaka who played in 1978-79 and Roshan from 1983-85.

Apart from his sports achievement Upali excelled in many other fields. His professional career that spanned over four decades was studded with distinction. He commenced his career in 1964 as a salesman at Unilever Sri Lanka and rose to the position of Brand Manager. In 1975, he was Head of Marketing at Warner Hudnut and in 1979 the Imports Director of Mackwoods Limited. His work and interests took him to over 40 countries in five continents. This exposure, he once confessed, helped him to be an international Marketing Consultant and Trainer. He trained thousands of managers in over 20 countries and led many marketing teams. He was a CEO, Managing Director, Trainer and Marketing Consultant. Upali was a Founder Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing and presented many Research Papers at International forums in Bangladesh, Singapore and India. In 1999 he was approved by the United Nations to train UNHCR personnel in selected countries in Asia.

The Phoenix International University conferred a Doctorate in Business Administration on Upali. He was also conferred an Honorary Fellowship of the Society of Business Practitioners UK and Membership of the New Zealand Institute of Management.

Upali was very proud of his two cricketing sons - Devaka who played as a professional in Australia and Roshan, a past captain of Sri Lanka and former ICC Match Referee.

Upali’s remains will be taken to 100/2, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7 today at 10 am. His funeral will also take place today at the General Cemetery, Borella at 5 pm. - ST

Lankan Women up against Australia at Bristol today

ICC Women’s World Cup:

Australia launched its title defense with a convincing win over the West Indies in Taunton on Monday and captain Meg Lanning is keen to build on that against Sri Lanka in Bristol on Thursday.

Australia batter Nicole Bolton was the star of the show with a fluent unbeaten 107, helping her side to an eight-wicket victory. Ellyse Perry also took three wickets as West Indies was bowled out for 204 and Australia will hope to replicate that near-perfect performance when it takes on Sri Lanka in its second match of the tournament.

But Lanning is not underestimating the challenge posed by Sri Lanka, despite the nine-wicket defeat by New Zealand in its opening game in Bristol on the opening day of the tournament.

Lanning said: “They definitely provide a good challenge for us, they bowled a lot of spin when we were out there in Sri Lanka itself and it will be interesting to see whether they do the same this time around.

“We know they’ve got some players in their team who are dangerous, we’re keen to keep playing well so it’s important that we start well again and put lots of pressure on them.

“We feel like if we’re the ones in control and we can get the result that we want.

"It's going to be difficult to change a winning side but we'll have to look at the conditions and the opposition as well and pick the best team that we can.

"Our spinners have been very successful over the past couple of years. We're not too fussed about playing an extra spinner over a seamer but we are going to pick the team on the conditions and the opposition and what we think's going to work better.

"It could change, it could stay the same. The good thing is our squad has got such great depth that we could bring anyone in and they'd play a role.”

Sri Lanka captain Inoka Ranaweera accepts her side was disappointing in the defeat by New Zealand and will need to improve in all departments if it is to get a result against Australia.

Chamari Atapattu scored 53 against the White Ferns as Sri Lanka was bowled out for 188 and then only managed to take one wicket in reply when Chandima Gunaratne trapped Rachel Priest in front of the wickets.

And in Bristol, the skipper is hoping the team gives a far better account of itself.

Ranaweera said: “We’ll need to improve everything and play really well against Australia. That will be a very hard game for us as they are a great side.

“We hope to do our best against them and put in a good performance. We were very disappointed with our performance on Saturday. The New Zealand team played very well, but we were not at our best unfortunately all the way through the game.”

Squads (to be selected from):

Australia: Meg Lanning (captain), Sarah Aley, Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell, Nicole Bolton, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani and Amanda-Jade Wellington

Sri Lanka: Inoka Ranaweera (captain), Chamari Atapattu, Chandima Gunaratne, Nipuni Hansika, Ama Kanchana, Eshani Lokusooriya, Harshitha Madhavi, Dilani Manodara, Hasini Perera, Chamari Polgampala, Udeshika Prabodani, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Shashikala Siriwardena, Prasadani Weerakodi and Sripali Weerakkody

Sports Camp of Elpitiya Education Zone, a great success

School children from 25 schools in Elpitiya Education Zone were given a three-day residential sports and leadership training at the Gamini College, Bentota recently. The Zonal Education officials with the support of coaches, sports teachers in the region conducted the programme with the support of Elasto Group.

The training was focused on instilling nuances of leadership qualities among the participants in their respective sports disciplines. The children were stylized not in a sense of glitter but in quality of technique and sharing knowledge. The main goal of the camp was training the athletes for their respective events.

What added value to the event was the donation of resistance/therapeutic bands worth of Rs 75,000 for physical training activities in participated 25 schools by the Managing Director/Chairman of Elasto Group, Mangala Gunasekera. 

Ashan stars in Sebs’ five-wicket win

In another game in the same group and same division Sebs beat Kelaniya Maha Vidyalaya by five wickets at Moratuwa. And by virtue of this win Sebs have booked a berth in the second round. Batting first visitors were all out for 87 runs with Ashan Fernando bagging 5 for 5 runs and in reply homesters declared at 115 for 5. In their second essay visitors collapsed for 87 runs with Induwara de Alwis bagging 4 for 48 and set to make 41 runs for an outright win Sebs scored 41 for 5.

Chief Scores

Kelaniya MV - 68 in 37 overs (Himasha Kalhara 23, Chakila Perera 3/15, Ashan Fernando 2/12) and 87 (Chamindu Sandaruwan 21, Induwara de Alwis 4/48, Ashan Fernando 5/5)

St. Sebastian’s - 115/5 declared in 17.2 overs (Savindu Roshen 36, Chakila Perera 36, Dilanga Malshan 2/34, Geyan Mervyn 2/23) and 41/5 (Induwara de Alwis 20 n/o)

106th ‘Shakspeare Shield’ golf on July 2 at RCGC

The annual ‘Shakspeare Shield’ sponsored by Carson Cumberbatch PLC, is back again for the 106th time and rearing to tee-off on July 2, at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC). This tournament goes on record as being the oldest corporate competition registered on the Board of RCGC.

The Shakspeare Shield is an annual Board event, being the only tournament open to members and teams of registered companies, the diplomatic community, government departments, armed forces, the police and service organisations.

The Shakspeare Shield Golf Tournament is named after W. Shakspeare, a former Chairman of Carson Cumberbatch PLC who was elected to the Committee in 1908. It was he who initiated the first ‘Foursomes Competition’ exclusively for private companies, banks and state institutions. The tournament was initiated in his honour in 1911 and has been an annual event, since then.

Carson Cumberbatch PLC continues its commitment towards golf and upholding the former Chairman’s tradition of promoting inter-corporate goodwill through sports.

Winners of previous Shakspeare Shield tournaments were Dr. Manjula Karunaratne and Dr. Janaka Gallangoda of Softlogic Holdings and Amal Cabraal and Druvi Sirisena of John Keells Holdings in 2016 and 2015 respectively. Tournament runner-ups were Harsha Abeywickrama and Suhayb Sangani of Brandix and T. Fernandopulle and Arjun Fernando of the DFCC Bank. The annual Shakspeare Shield Golf Tournament not only encourages participation between corporates and the government departments but also brings together two of Sri Lanka’s prestigious institutions – Carson Cumberbatch PLC and the RCGC, who have a rich history dating back over 100 years.