Singapore, Wednesday: Lewis Hamilton will be hoping his march towards a sixth Formula One world title around the streets of hazy Singapore this week is not affected by smoke from wildfires raging in neighbouring Indonesia.

The National Environment Agency is forecasting pollution at the "low end of the unhealthy range" for Sunday's showpiece night race after dense smog last weekend.

Formula One bosses are reported to have a contingency plan in place should the "highly changeable" air quality deteriorate, though the race weekend is still scheduled to go ahead as planned. Hamilton, who has a 63-point lead in the title race over teammate Valterri Bottas after winning eight grands prix this season, and Mercedes have prospered in the past at the Marina Bay Circuit.

But they could do little to prevent Ferrari's Charles Leclerc from storming to consecutive victories on power-friendly layouts in Belgium and Italy in the two races since the summer break.

Hamilton has taken four of Mercedes' five victories at the demanding 23-turn city-centre street circuit and is looking for a third consecutive triumph in race that even without the threat of smog is traditionally draining because of heat and high humidity. But Hamilton remains wary of Leclerc, who has outshone his error-prone Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel since joining the Italian team at the start of the season.

"I am not looking forward to the next race thinking it will swing our way," Hamilton said of the 21-year-old from Monaco. "I hope that it is competitive between us -- I want this battle to continue."

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also expects Ferrari to be in the shake-up in Singapore, despite the Italian marque struggling on circuits lacking long straights this season.

"We knew that Spa and Monza would be difficult for us," Wolff said of the previous two races.

"On paper, we should be strong in Singapore -- as should Red Bull. Let's see if we are really demolishing them there.

"But I have no doubt that Ferrari will have learned and will have a good package."

Red Bull have enjoyed 12 podium finishes in Singapore since 2008, including three wins, and the Milton Keynes-based outfit will be hoping Max Verstappen can improve on his second-place finish from a year ago to stay ahead of Leclerc in their battle for third in the overall standings. AFP

Former Cambrian and Ceylon Government Railways Athlete Carl Quintus Fernando representing Colombo District in the Master Games in Colombo and Bandaragama in the 75-80 age group has clinched six Golds, Four Silvers and one Bronze medal.

In addition in the Colombo meet he was adjudged the Best Athlete. His events were 400,800,1500, 5000 metres and the Triple Jump

The Colours Awards Ceremony 2018 of Prince of Wales’ College Moratuwa was held recently at the College main hall and the chief guest was the special Advisor on sports to the Minister of Education Sunil Jayaweera. Four top sportsmen who excelled in their respective sports were felicitated at the ceremony.

They posed for a photograph just after the ceremony.

CCC School of Cricket, founded by legendry cricket coach Nelson Mendis celebrated the 21st anniversary with the Inter-House Cricket Tournament, spread over two days, held on their home grounds at Maitland Place.

Jayawardena House won the Overall Championship beating Bradman House, while Sobers House and Tendulkar House were placed third and fourth respectively.

Erandajith Ranasinghe, Executiv Director of George Steuart Health who are the main sponsors was the chief guest on the occasion. Ranasinghe, an old Thomian sportsman who excelled in soccer and swimming, addressing the gathering complimented the school’s Executive Committee, coaches and students for their achievements during past twenty one years and sportive spirit which they maintained throughout long years, had helped them to become the best coaching school in the country.

Nelson Mendis, the Director of Coaching, CCC School of Cricket speaking at the event thanked the Parents of the School, who had always stood by the school supporting the students and coaches in all its activities, and said that the School’s success is mainly due to their support. Two former Sri Lanka legends, Thilakaratne Dilshan, a former captain, and Ajantha Mendis the mystery spinner were present during the tournament mixing with the young cricketers.

Results

1. Jayawardena House, 2. Bradman House, 3. Sobers House, 4. Tendulkar House

Most Outstanding Cricketer of the Year - Dinura Wanigasekera

Inter House Championship

U-9 winner - Jayawardena House, Runner-up - Sobers House

U-10 winner - Tendulkar House, Runner-up - Jayawardena House

U-11 winner - Bradman House, Runner-up - Tendulkar House

U-12 winner - Jayawardena House, Runner-up - Bradman House

U-13 winner - Bradman House, Runner-up - Jayawardena House

U-14 winner - Sobers House, Runner-up - Bradman House

PARIS, Wednesday - Iran has been suspended from international judo for ordering a judoka to lose at the world championships to avoid facing an Israeli, the International Judo Federation (IJF) said on Wednesday.

Saeid Mollaei, who entered last month’s event in Tokyo as the reigning world champion in the -81kg class, said he was ordered to throw his semi-final rather than risk facing an Israeli in the final.

Mollaei lost to Belgian Matthias Casse who in turn lost to Sagi Muki of Israel in the final.

“The alleged actions are serious enough to consider the application of a protective suspension,” the IJF said in a statement. It explained that it had “strong reason to believe that the Iran Judo Federation will continue or repeatedly engage in misconduct”. – AFP

The grand crowning of Sri Lanka’s school cricketers boys and girls awards night - the 41st Observer-Mobitel School Cricketer of the Year popularly known as the ‘Mother of All Shows’ will take place at the Hilton Colombo today.

The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd has organized the 41st edition of the grand show with sponsorship of Mobitel.

There are 96 nominations for this year’s awards. Awards will be given to Best Batsman, Best Bowler, Best Fielder, Best Wicket-keeper and Best All-rounder from Divisions one, two and three segments.

For the first time in history of the awards, the girls’ cricketers too will be awarded for their performances – the Best Batswoman, Best Bowler, Best All-rounder awards will be on offer for the girls segment.

The Best team and the Best Provincial teams will also be awarded. The most promising team too will be awarded at the mega show.

School cricket teams across the country have been considered for the awards.

Widely considered as one of the greatest batsmen ever produced by Sri Lanka Deshabandu Aravinda de Silva will be the chief guest at the 41st Observer/Mobitel School Cricketer of the Year awards night today.

De Silva, a former captain is renowned for helping Sri Lanka to win the 1996 Cricket World Cup and for bringing his country from underdog status to present day form. He has held various posts in Sri Lanka Cricket after his retirement in 2003.

De Silva is the only player to score a hundred and take three or more wickets in a World Cup final a feat which he performed at Lahore against Australia in 1996 when he scored a match-winning 107 not out and captured three wickets for 42 runs in addition to holding two catches. The performance won him the Man of the Match award.

His role in the final was recognised by Wisden in 2002 as the eight most significant batting performance in ODI cricket while his bowling was ranked 82nd in Wisden’s top 100 bowling chart.

De Silva made his Test match debut in 1984 at Lord’s against England. During the early part of his career he was known as a dashing but inconsistent batsman – he was given the nickname “Mad Max” for his tendency to get out to rash shots. He later commented on his aggressive batting style: “That’s my natural game – I don’t want to change because I feel confident playing that way. If someone is capable of dominating the bowling, they should do it. It’s the way I’ve been playing since I was a youngster.”

A season with English county Kent tightened his technique in batting and after that he was unstoppable scoring centuries at random.

De Silva’s other notable achievements include a masterly 66 off 47 balls against India in the World Cup semi-finals at Kolkata in 1996 – an innings rated by experts as better than his World Cup final hundred. Coming in at number four, de Silva led the Sri Lankan recovery that enabled Sri Lanka to set a target of 252 runs for India to chase. In response India collapsed to 120-8 and when the crowed vented their anger by throwing bottles on to the outfield and setting fire to the seating, match referee Clive Lloyd had to abandon the game and Sri Lanka won by default.

His other achievements were scoring a century in each innings of a Test match on two separate occasions (only bettered by India’s Sunil Gavaskar, Australia’s Ricky Ponting and David Warner, who each performed this feat three times). One of these doubles was 138 and 105, both unbeaten, against Pakistan at the SSC grounds in April 1997. This made him the first, and so far only, player to score two unbeaten centuries in the same Test match. As he had scored 168 in the second innings of the previous Test, he posted three hundreds in eight days. He finished the year with 1,220 runs at 76.25.

De Silva was selected as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1996 and one of the five Sri Lankan cricketers named on the prestigious list. The Wisden list of top 100 batting performances contains six entries for him, only one less than the West Indies batsman Viv Richards.

After his retirement De Silva has served cricket in many other capacities including the post of chairman of selectors and runs a program for unearthing young talent with the help of Coca Cola.

All school cricketers should be determined to give off their best whether they receive awards or not at the 41st Observer-Mobitel award ceremony which will take place today, said the Chairman of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) Krishantha Cooray.

He said for the first time coaches of schools too will be felicitated at this awards ceremony.

The Chairman said cricketers from all parts of the island extending from Dondra to Point Pedro will be rewarded at this gala event.

“Today school cricket is spread all over the country unlike in the past where it was confined to a few elite schools in Colombo. This contest has taught many school cricketers the value of teamwork. This contest has unearthed talented cricketers from hitherto unknown schools,” the chairman observed.

“Some cricket fans get to know about these schools only after some of their players receive awards at the Observer-Mobitel contest which has resulted in these players and those schools becoming popular.”

“This contest has gone on for 40 years due to the commitment and dedication of the employees of ANCL and the sponsors,” the Chairman noted.

“Only the most outstanding players will receive awards, but there are several talented cricketers who are unfortunate not to receive awards but this should not deter them to perform well in the future. A classic example is cricketing legend Aravinda de Silva who failed to win this award but went onto bring honour and fame to Sri Lanka with his deeds on the cricketing field,” the Chairman said.

“We hope to continue this contest for a long time so that the future cricketers will benefit,” he concluded.

1979 - Ranjan Madugalle

1980 - Arjuna Ranatunga

1981 - Rohan Buultjens

1982 - Arjuna Ranatunga

1983 - Roshan Mahanama

1984 - Roshan Mahanama

1985 - Asanka Gurusinghe

1986 - Roshan Jurangpathy

1987 - Rohan Weerakkkody

1988 - Sanjeewa Ranatunga

1989 - Kumar Dharmasena

1990 - Marvan Atapattu

1991 - Muttiah Muralitharan

1992 - Sajith Fernando

1993 - Naveed Nawaz

1994 - Thilan Samaraweera

1995 - Thilan Samaraweera

1996 - Nimesh Perera

1997 - Chinthaka Jayasinghe

1998 - Pradeep Hewage

1999 - Mutumudalige Pushpakumara

2000 - Kaushalya Weeraratne

2001 - Kaushal Lokuarachchi

2002 - Sahan Wijeratne

2003 - Farveez Maharoof

2004 - Lahiru Peiris

2005 - Lahiru Peiris

2006 - Gihan Rupasinghe

2007 - Malith Gunathileka

2008 - Umesh Karunaratne

2009 - Dinesh Chandimal

2010 - Bhanuka Rajapakse

2011 - Bhanuka Rajapakse

2012 - Niroshan Dickwella

2013 - Kusal Mendis

2014 - Sadeera Samarawickrama

2015 - Charith Asalanka

2016 - Charith Asalanka

2017 - Nipun Ransika

2018 - Hasitha Boyagoda

Good old traditions will continue for the betterment of the game as the 41st Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year gala awards ceremony takes place at the Grand Ballroom of the Colombo Hilton starting at 5.30 pm today.

The Mega Show which has rendered yeoman service to thousands of up and coming schoolboy cricketers across the country for over four decades is organized by Sri Lanka’s flagship English newspaper Sunday Observer and sponsored by the country’s national mobile service provider Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel.

The chief guest, cricketing legend  Aravinda de Silva

It was in an era where there was no inter-school under-19 two-day tournament that the Mega Show began in 1978/1979. There was only first X1 friendly matches during that time but the Sunday Observer and its publisher Lake House understood the need of the hour as a true corporate entity and gave birth to this great event.

In the very first year, it was Haliborange that sponsored the event while Bata Shoe Company was the second sponsor.

But 12 years ago, the ideal life partner of the event was found as SLT Mobitel came in as a sponsor in a big way and still keeps batting. Mobitel’s timely arrival at the crease made the event to go from strength to strength, by generously increasing the prize money.

Subsequently, a couple of similar awards shows emerged to further reward schoolboy cricketers following our initiative but we are happy to see these progress as the schoolboy cricketers would be the ultimate winners.

Nevertheless, the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer remained the Mother of All Shows.

Mobitel batting with the Sunday Observer also enabled the special incentive not only for schoolboy and schoolgirl cricketers but also for their coaches and masters-in-charge who play a praiseworthy role behind the scene.

It was a fitting tribute to the first ever recipient of the Observer Schoolboy cricketer of the Year, then Royal captain Ranjan Madugalle, to grace the 40th anniversary show last year as the chief guest and give away the glittering trophy to Trinity’s Hasitha Boyagoda.

As the first winner, Madugalle has set a brilliant example that will be hard to emulate, rising to lead NCC and Sri Lanka with distinction and now acting as the Chief Match Referee of the ICC.

The chief guest at today’s grand event will be another former Sri Lanka skipper who has engraved his name in record books in Aravinda de Silva who is best remembered for his century against Australia which helped Arjuna Ranatunga’s Lankan team to become the ICC World champions in 1996.

In fact, it was another landmark as Ranatunga too was a proud recipient of the award twice, in 1980 and 1982.

Beside Ranatunga, the there were six other former Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award winners in that world champion team in Roshan Mahanama (1983 and 1984), Asanka Gurusinha (1985), Kumar Dharmasena (1989), Marvan Atapattu (1990) and Test cricket’s highest wicket taker Muttaiah Muralitharan (1991).

The most valuable player of the 1996 ICC World Cup tournament Sanath Jayasurya was also the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Outstation in 1988.

That alone is proof as to how this show has contributed in grooming tomorrow’s talent today.

Even the current Sri Lanka cricket pool has three former award winners of the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest in former captain Dinesh Chandimal (2009), Niroshan Dickwella (2012) and Kusal Mendis (2013). There is a common belief among schoolboy cricketers that the prestigious title would take them closer to sporting a Sri Lanka ‘cap’. Most past winners of the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year title had made their Sri Lanka debut in double quick time.

Sri Lanka Telecom Chairman Kumarasinghe Sirisena and SLT Mobitel Chief Executive Officer Nalin Perera have played dynamic roles in promoting school cricket in a big way.

The untiring efforts of Lake House Chairman, Krishantha Cooray has always helped this event to go that extra mile.

The big question is who will be the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2019 who will join a select band and the answer to that would be found at the end of the glittering show of shows tonight.

The International Cricket Council yesterday announced that Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya has been banned from bowling in international cricket for 12 months following an independent assessment of his action.

The 25-year-old was assessed after the legality of his bowling action came under question by match officials in the first Test against New Zealand in Galle from 14-18 August. He subsequently underwent the independent assessment in Chennai on 29 August, which revealed that he employed an illegal bowling action.

Dananjaya was originally suspended from bowling in December 2018. Following remedial work on his bowling action, he was reassessed and permitted to resume bowling in February 2019. As the latest report constitutes the player’s second report within a two-year period, the first of which led to a suspension, he is automatically suspended from bowling in international cricket for a period of 12 months.

Dananjaya will be entitled to approach the ICC for a re-assessment of his bowling action after the expiry of this one-year period.

Sri Lanka Cricket stated yesterday that the forthcoming tour of Pakistan by the national cricket team will go ahead as planned, following assurances given by the Government of Pakistan that it will provide maximum security arrangements for the team during their entire duration of stay in Pakistan.

Furthermore, the Major General (Rtd.) J. R. Kulathunga, National Intelligence Head, on behalf of the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka confirmed that no information has been received by the Ministry of Defence through any Intelligence Agency indicating a threat to the Sri Lanka national team or to the said tour.

It also said, no information has been received by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pakistan, indicating a threat to the Sri Lanka national team or to the said tour. The Government of Pakistan in a letter sent to Sri Lanka Cricket via the Ministry of Telecommunications, Foreign Employment and Sport of Sri Lanka has assured the following:

* [The] Government of Pakistan will ensure highest consideration of security to [the] visiting cricket team;

* [The] Pakistan Army will coordinate the security arrangements;.

*Security protocol will be compatible to [a] Head of State.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan 2019 will proceed as approved at the SLC Executive Committee meetings held on 22 August and 16 September.

The tour was put under a cloud last week when the Prime Minister’s Office received reliable information of a possible terrorist threat on the Sri Lanka team while touring Pakistan.

Following that information Sri Lanka Cricket said that it wanted to reassess the security situation in Pakistan and sought the assistance of the Defence Ministry for clearance to make the tour.

Sri Lanka will play a series of three ODIs in Karachi commencing on September 27 and three T20Is in Lahore.

The team is due to leave for Pakistan on September 24.

Six teams advanced to the pre-quarterfinal round of the Singer Trophy Under 17 Division Three inter-school cricket tournament yesterday.

D.S. Senanayake National School, Ampara, Bandarawela Central College, Dhammissara National School, Natthandiya, Loyola College, Negombo, Defence Services School, Colombo, Nugawela Central College and St. Thomas College Bandarawela advanced to the pre-quarterfinals.

D.S. Senanayake National School Ampara beat Thopawewa Central College by 226 runs and Bandarawela Central College beat Vijitha Central College by 3 wickets in the fourth round. Dhammissara National School, Natthandiya beat Sri Pangnananda MV, Kotugoda by 40 runs and Loyola College Negombo beat Veluwana, Colombo by 5 wickets in the 4th round. Defence Services School, Colombo beat Sir John Kothalawala Central College, Kurunegala by 5 wickets and Nugawela Central College beat St. Thomas College, Bandarawela by 6 wickets in the 4th round.

Scores

+ In Ampara (D.S. Senanayake National School, Ampara won by 226 runs) D.S.Senanayake NS 317 for 6 in 50 overs (Navod Pansilu 81, Sachith Dileesara 51, Malaka Sahan 2/42) Thopawewa Central 91 in 31.4 overs (Udan Seelaka 28, Malaka Sahan 26, Pasindu Nirmal 4/20, Kavindu Himabsha 3/33)

*In Natthandiya (Dhammissara National School, Natthandiya won by 40 runs) Dhammissara 126 in 29.2 overs (Avishka Shenan 37, N. A. Damitha 21, Supun Dhananjaya 4/9, Dulara Kaushalya 3/14, Yasintha Shemal 2/32) Sri Pangnananda MV, Kotugoda 86 in 29.4 overs (Supun Dhananjaya 25, Shehan Nimesha 22, A. Damitha 4/20, M. Riflan 4/26)

* In Wennappuwa (Loyola Negombo won by 5 wickets) Veluwana 45 in 21.3 overs (Chalindu Sandaruwan 4/11, Lalindra Fernando 3/13, Stephan Fernandopulle 2/11) Loyola 48 for 5 in 11.5 overs (Sameen Nonis 20, Vimukthi Dhananjaya 2/1, Asiru Shiwanka 2/12)

*In Badulla (Bandarawela Central College won by 3 wickets) Vijitha Central 109 in 45.4 overs (Oshan Dhanushaka 23 n.o., Yasitha Weerasinghe 3/8, Kalana Rathnayake 2/23) Bandarawela Central 110 for 7 in 33.1 overs (Pamudu Sachintha 25, Janith Akalanka 13 n.o., Menusha Sachintha 5/39)

* In Wennappuwa (Defence Services School, Colombo won by 5 wickets) Sir John Kothalawala Central College, Kurunegala 105 in 25 overs (Shehan Kokila 45, Dinal Charuka 3/24, Bimsara Sakvithi 2/6, Hasitha Nawanjana 2/26) Defence Services School Colombo 106 for 5 in 25.5 overs (Uvindu Pinnapula 48, Hasitha Nawanjana 38 n.o., Kasun Madushanka 3/19)

* In Galagedara (Nugawela Central College won by 6 wickets) St. Thomas’, Bandarawela 194 for 8 in 41 overs (Kavindu Nimesh 52 n.o., Rasindu Bandara 27, Supun Senevirathne 23, Mohommed Mafas 21, Sachintha Vithanage 3/31) Nugawela Central 195 for 4 in 32 overs (Ravindu Watagoda 53, Praveen Karunarathne 50 n.o., Kavishka Hapugoda 42 n.o., Mohommed Mafas 3/33). (YK)

SYDNEY : Captain Tim Paine has predicted a “very exciting era” for Australian cricket after the team retained the Ashes against England, while revealing he broke his thumb in the final Test.

The series was drawn 2-2, with Australia keeping the urn as the Ashes holders despite losing the last Test at the Oval by 135 runs.

“I’m looking forward to Australia seeing how far we’ve come this summer,” Paine said in a column for The Australian newspaper, referring to upcoming home Tests against Pakistan and New Zealand.

“Last year we were a bit lost and were finding our way,” he added after the side struggled in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

“I know we have found it now and I am confident this group is the beginning of a very exciting era in Australian cricket.

“We’ve got the best bowling attack in the world and the basis for a great batting line-up.” Australia retaining the Ashes was built on the back of an incredible series by former skipper Steve Smith, who scored 774 runs in just seven innings, and an impressive bowling attack led by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Paine called Smith “a freak” while also praising Marnus Labuschagne as having “a huge future” after he too enjoyed a stellar tour with the bat.

But he revealed the last Test was a struggle for himself and fast bowler Peter Siddle.

“My thumb was broken towards the end of that Test but it is not displaced, so I should be right to get back into training early,” said Paine, while praising workhorse Siddle who was battling a hip injury. - AFP

Memories of the death of two gifted sportsmen - a Royalist and a Sylvestrian - come flooding back and are still fresh in the minds of the Kandyan community. Royal’s first Bradby captain, a fine cricketer and sports promoter Dr. C.D.L. Fernando passed away on 22 September 1987 marking his 32nd death anniversary and the other M. Enver Marikar, a well known sportsman, promoter and sportswriter and first Sylvestrian to play division one cricket who died on 19 September 1996, 23 years ago.

Nadesha Illukumbara Trinity’s first ever Lion karate winner

Nadesha Illukumbura Bandara won the Karate ‘Lion’ becoming the first Trinitian to get the highest award of the school for the sport. He was awarded the ‘Lion’ by the principal Andrew Fowler-Watt. The Trinity ‘Lion’ is the most prestigious award a sportsman can achieve. The first Lion was awarded in 1915 for cricket, rugger, athletics and boxing. Since then there have been Lion winners in hockey, swimming, basketball, etc.

Youth boxing champions and runner-up from Kandy

The Selection Trial Boxing Meet for Junior Boys and Girls worked off at the Jayatilleke Sports Complex in Nawalapitiya saw St. Sylvester’s take 3 Gold and 1 Bronze in the boys events to win the Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya Trophy.

The medal winners were Thenabadu, Kapukotuwa, Deneth and Kapukotuwa. Trinity College were runners-up with Rahul Danaraj winning a gold, Miranga Subasinghe a silver and Nathan John a bronze. Some of the other boxers who did well from the hills are R.A.S.C. Ranasinghe (Vidyartha), M.Z. Mohamed (Pilimathalawa MMV), S.H.W.T.N. Dilshan (Peradeniya MMV), Abeykoon (Kingswood), M.U. L. Ratnayaka (Sri Sumangala, Kandy), G.S.C. Gunathilake

(Vidyartha), J.K.R.P. Jayakody (Kingswood), Rathnasiri (Peradeniya MMV), P.G.D. Dilshan (Sri Sumangala, Kandy), A.G.H.D. Premasiri (Pilimathalawa MMV), R.G.T.W.K. Rajapaksha (Kingswood), W.A. Asanka Sampath (Sri Sumangala, Kandy), L.M.V.D. Kularatne (Dharmaraja), T.M.C. Bandara (Peradeniya MMV), Hamdan Faizal (Trinity College), M.N.M. Alli (Sri Sumangala, Kandy), Y.M. Hossen (Sri Sumangala, Kandy), Attaab Manzil (Trinity College), D.M.T.R.B. Dissanayake (Vidyartha) and A.G.D.N. Kumarathunga (Vidyartha). The meet served as a trial to select boxers to participate in next month’s Asian Junior Boxing Championship to be held in Fujairah, UAE.

Gateway netballers do well

Gateway College netballers excelled at the annual netball encounter held at the Gateway College – Ratmalana. They were represented by Sandaru Kumarasinghe, Yasasri Kodithuwakku, Sayali Amarasena, Rachelle Bandaranayake, Zuhaira Zilmy, Rashmi Rajapaksha, Emina Buksh, Shenali Jayaweera, Nima Denn, Limansa Premasara, Budmi Rajapaksha, Gihansa Nakandalage, Lasanthi Jayawickrama (TIC/coach).

Antonians qualify for U15 cricket finals

St. Anthony’s College qualified for the finals of the inter-school under 15 division one final on bonus points beating arch rivals Trinity College in the semi-finals played at Veyangoda. Antonians batting first scored 177 for 6 in 54.4 overs and Trinity in reply were 49 for 5 in 17 overs. The final will be between St. Anthony’s College and St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennapuwa.

CDL Fernando-Gamini Hemamalika trophy softball cricket

The Dr. C.D.L. Fernando/Gamini Hemamalika memorial T20 cricket tournament is organized by the Mahiyawa CC on Sunday. The sponsors will be Gamini Brothers. The registration of teams will take place at 8 a.m. and the first ball will be bowled at 9 a.m. This tournament is played in memory of two great sports promoters in Kandy, late Dr. C.D.L. Fernando and late Gamini Hemamalika.

Gateway swimmers do well

Gateway College, Kandy swimmers who performed well at the Central Province Swimming Meet 2019 organized by the Department of Education Central Province are Panchalee Mavithana (first place in the 50m Butterfly, 50m freestyle and second in the 100m free style) and Ayodhya Weerakoon (second in the 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle and third in the 100m freestyle) in the under 16 girls. In the U14 boys section, Raaid Inthikab was second in the 50m breaststroke and Sajith Jayasinghe was second in the 100m freestyle. The swimmers are coached by Indika Dehigama and U.H. Pemlath and the MIC is Priyantha Rathnayake.

Peradeniya University hockey champs

Peradeniya University gave a superb display of hockey to win the men’s title at the University games which was organized by the Ruhunu University. This was the 13th edition. In the quarterfinals they beat Jaffna University, Rajarata University in the semifinal and in the final they beat Colombo University.

Judo champs Sakindu and Yemeena

Trinitian Sakindu Dassanayake and Girls High School Yemeena Rifaz made Kandy proud by winning the boy’s and girl’s judo championship at the all Island Schools event held at Nawalapitiya. The Trinitian won the gold medals in the over 73kg and Open events, and High School girl Yemeena clinched gold in the under 63kg and Open events.

Advance spin bowling clinic

An advanced spin bowling clinic will be held on October 6 at Axion sports complex Ambathane for 15-17 age groups from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and above 17 years from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm. More details can be obtained from Prasad on 077 322 6658 or Laksiri 077 641 1377. The clinic will be conducted by former spin bowler Piyal Wijetunga who was spin bowling coach of Sri Lanka Cricket and record holder Rangana Herath.

Carrom bronze for CP in team event

Central Province men’s team won the 45th National Sports Festival 2019 Carrom Championship. The team comprised S.A.S. Senadhi, W.M. Mufees., K.G.S.J. Prasad and A.N.M. Amer. Over 90 players from nine provinces took part in the competition. The Sports Development Department of the Ministry of Sports organized the event at the Badulla Public Library premises.

Antonians promoted at senior cricket

St. Anthony’s College, Kandy have been promoted to the Singer Trophy under 19 Division 1 inter-school cricket tournament for 2019/20 season. In division I, each team will play eight tournament matches and a maximum of seven traditional fixtures. All teams should play a minimum of three tournament matches and two traditional matches before 31 December 2019.

This time they are in Group B: with schools like S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala, St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya, Moratu Vidyalaya, Dharmaraja College, Kandy, and Dharmashoka College, Ambalangoda.

The season will open with a game against Moratu Vidyalaya on September 27 and 28.

Chandula to lead St. Sylvester’s

Chandula Jayakody a top right hand batsman and the stumper has been picked to lead St. Sylvester’s College in the 2019/20 cricket season. Last year he was the vice captain. St Sylvester’s play their first game on September 26 and 27 against Isipathana College at BRC grounds. Krishantha Gunawardena is the coach and is backed by the MIC Champika Wijetunge and principal P.G.S. Bandara.

Old Trinitians tag rugby

The tag rugby tournament organized by the Old Trinitians Sports Club in collaboration with the OBA exclusively for Trinitians took place at the Asgiriya stadium last Saturday, where seven teams were seen in action. The games were played at different age levels, below and above, in addition, the OTSC Rugby Academy kids too played exhibition games. All kids were

presented with medals for their participation and as an encouragement to take a liking towards rugby.Results: Below 40 Wolf Pack, Above 40 Dragons were the winners and the runners up bBelow 40 Perfect 5, Above 40 Batch of 95. OTSC president Lakmal Tenakoon should be lauded for his support.

Baseball seminar in Kandy

A seminar was held on Thursday at Kingswood College to promote Baseball in the presence of Priyantha Ekanayake.

More than 60 companies are expected to take part at the Mercantile Badminton Team Championships which will commence today and will be continued till 27th October at the Mercantile Badminton Trust Head Quarters & G T Jayasuriya Stadium Courts, Malalasekera Mawatha Colombo 07. Al together 262 teams from 62 companies have already registered to compete in this tournament which is sponsored by Linning (Flex Sports Wear ) and Revival Physical Medical Center.

This tournament is the most prestigious tournament of the Mercantile Badminton calendar with mass participation

The tournament would be declared open by lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the President of the Mercantile Badminton Association Roshan Fernando followed by the winner and runners-up of the previous year.

SAPPORO Thursday: Fiji coach John McKee named 12 players that ply their trade in foreign leagues to face Australia on Saturday, with many tipping the Flying Fijians as possible Rugby World Cup giant-killers.

New Zealander McKee also selected three players -- lock Leone Nakarawa, number eight Viliame Mata and winger Josua Tuisova -- who played in the sevens teams that won gold at the Rio Olympics.

The team is led by flanker Dominiko Waqaniburotu, who plays for Pau in France's Top 14, with fly-half Ben Volavola also based in France for Paris club Racing 92.

“The team is selected 100 percent on merit and the local-based players have earned their places in the team alongside our renowned overseas-based players,” McKee told reporters.

“We know Australia are a very good team and present a big challenge for us but, because of our preparation, I know that our team is mentally and physically ready for that challenge,” he added.

McKee has urged his players to improve their discipline at the World Cup, with his team never short of attacking flair.

Fiji, currently ranked 9th in the World Rugby rankings, come into the tournament having shown they can take on the established teams with a shock 21-14 victory over France last year. They also defeated the Maori All Blacks for the first time in 62 years as part of a drawn two-match series.

However, they have a mountain to climb to make the quarter-finals for the third time in their history, facing Australia first up in a pool that also includes Wales, Georgia and Uruguay.

Fiji (15-1) Kini Murimurivalu; Josua Tuisova, Waisea Nayacalevu, Levani Botia, Semi Radradra; Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani; Viliame Mata, Peceli Yato, Dominiko Waqaniburotu (cap); Leone Nakarawa, Tevita Cavubati; Peni Ravai, Samuel Matavesi, Campese Ma'afu

- AFP

The 5th edition of annual TPT Hockey Carnival organized by the old boys of S. Thomas’, St. Peter’s and Trinity College will be held at St. Peter’s College Grounds on September 28 commencing from 8.00am onwards. The event will be hosted by St. Peter’s College this year for the second occasion.

The past stickers of Trinity, St.Peter’s and S.Thomas’ colleges (TPT) have put their shoulders together to organize this seven-a-side hockey tournament. All three schools have played the game for decades and have produced many who have donned the Sri Lanka jersey.

The TPT hockey carnival is organized for the well being of hockey as a sport and to maintain and strengthen ties between these three schools. Plans are afoot to have this as an annual event hosted by one of the organizing schools. The inaugural tournament was hosted by S. Thomas’ College in 2015.

The event will be a reunion of past hockey players and also a get-together and they will go down memory lane. Food, beverage and recreational stalls for families and children of the old boys have been organized to make it a fun filled family event. The tournament will be conducted in six age categories - under 14, 16, 1st XI teams, 20 to 30, 30 to 40, 40 and over old boys categories. This will be a very rare occasion where stickers of the three schools who are over forty will be turning the hands of the clock at this carnival.

Old Peterite teams come into this as defending champions of all three groups and will try to retain the championship on home soil this year. In the school arena, S.Thomas’ College will defend their 1st XI championship, whilst St.Peter’s College and Trinity College will defend their titles in the under 16 and under 14 age groups respectively.

The opening ceremony will be graced by the Presidents and senior officials of the old boys associations of all three schools along with well known Peterite sportsman Dinesh Kekulthota.

The final matches will start at 3.30 pm while the closing ceremony and distribution of awards will be graced by special invitees, past coaches and Priest Community of St. Peter’s College and the Principal, Rector and Warden of the three schools commencing at 5 pm.