The Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation (SLVB) is hoping to conduct the National Beach Volleyball Championship in December with the aim of preparing for the Asian Beach Games next year. Asian Beach Games was scheduled to be held from 28th November to 6th December in Sanya, China. They decided to postpone it to next year due to Coronavirus pandemic. The Olympic Council of Asia and Chinese Olympic Committee took this decision due to the present situation.

According to the senior official of the SLVB , due to the postponement of the this year Asian Games SLVB has decided to disband the National Beach Volleyball both men and women’s pool and send all the pool players and coaches back to their homes.

Meanwhile SLBV is planning to conduct four national level tournaments that were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic in the final quarter of the year (October, November and December).

The four competitions are the President’s Gold Cup, Munchee National Championship (Amateur and Super League), Junior National Under 23 Championship and National Beach Championship, In addition the Volleyball Federation has decided to cancel the most prestigious school tournament DSI Super sports Schools VB tournament this year.

Normally this tournament attracts more than 5000 teams from all over the country and unfortunately this time especially in rural areas school teams have missed this chance to take part due to postponement of the tournament.

The senior official of the SLVB said, this decision has been taken since approval has not been granted by the Education and Health ministries to conduct any school competition because of the prevailing situation in the country.

However Education Ministry is considering granting permission for schools sports associations to conduct their competitions during the third term following a number of requests made by sports associations.

The various school sports associations affiliated to the Education Ministry had made requests to conduct their annual competitions later this year after they were cancelled due to the covid 19 pandemic.

The special meeting held in the presence of the secretary of the ministry last week to grant permission for sports associations to conduct their competitions after the third term commences in November.

The third term will start on November 16 and the school sports associations can make requests with their plans to conduct the competitions. Education Ministry will consider their arrangements and the readiness to conduct events adhering to social distancing guidelines before giving permission.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) expressed their gratitude to Dr.Anil Jasinghe, Director, National Health Services and his team of officials for participating in a healthy discussion and their positive approach in granting favourable health guidelines to resume cricket in Sri Lanka, in the upcoming months including the domestic tournaments and International tours commencing this month.

The SLC had a healthy meeting with health authorities at their ministry yesterday, forwarded their future plans to restart cricket in the country involving Anil Jasinghe and his officials. It is learnt that SLC has sought the necessary permission with regard to playing conditions, attracting the spectators and players behaviour.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) was very positive on the requested plan and is to grant the approval on a priority basis. They are also in the process of discussing allowing 20% spectators to witness the domestic tournament the Premier League, which is to resume from the 10th of this month. This will be followed by the Lanka Premier League (LPL) and the Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka which is tentatively fixed for the month of October.

Meanwhile over 143 players have requested for their participation in the LPL where only 30 players will be eligible to take part in this year’s tournament. A total of 43 coaches too have applied where only five of them will be allowed to serve in the five teams.

The Inaugural Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand Prix 2020 conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) will commence on 7th August at the CFSL headquarters, Nugegoda. This tournament is meant for the under 14 boys and girls and those who wish to play in this inaugural tournament should have send an email to chessfederation@gmail.com according to a senior official of the CFSL.

This is one of the leading Chess events in Sri Lanka for the youth chess players of the country where only 20 top youth chess players can take part in the combined system of Round Robin and Knock out. The first stage will be held as 10 player 9 round Round Robin events and the winners and runners up of two groups will play in the knock out semi finals and finals.

The CFSL will award medals and trophies for the winners of the Round Robin stage. In addition cash awards of 25, 000 rupees, 15, 000 rupees, 10,000 rupees, 5, 000 rupees will be given to the 1st to 4th places respectively.

The tie break of the knock out stage is same as the FIDE World Cup. The event will be played in the time control of 90 minutes 30 second increment and organisers are expected to give live broadcast.

Chess players with the following performance are eligible for this inaugural tournament while International players are also welcome for this event.

1. All National Team players in this age.(under 14) 2. Top five players in the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championship 2019 – Under 13 Yrs. 3. Top 3 players in the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championship 2019 –

Under 11 Yrs. 4. The Champion of the Sri Lanka National Youth Girls Chess Championship

2019 – Under 9 Yrs. 5. The top three players of National Youth Girls Chess Champions 2019 –

Under 14. 6. The Champion of National Youth Girls Chess Champions 2019 –

Under 12. 7. The top three players of Junior National Chess Championship 2019 if eligible. 8. The top three players of National Amateur Chess Champion 2019 if eligible

9. Top ten players according to the latest International Rating List 2019. 10. Two players with the highest performance from the International Rating Chess Tournaments held so far. (Earlier points system is used to rank, Under 14 or open Champion get 10, Runner up 9, Third 8 till no 10 get 1)

(Instead of points system Should win at least one event (Under 14 category)and placed in top three in another./ Played at least 5 events )

11. Wild Card Entries

Those who are interested to get Wild Card Entries should make a request to this Email with their FIDE ID, Highest rating achieved ever, and performances to declare. These entries are allowed after evaluation by CFSL.. The Chess Federation is expected to conduct this youth Chess Grand Prix under the medical instructions due to covid 19 pandemic.

They have already conducted Sri Lankan men’s Chess Grand Prix as well as Women’s Chess Grand Prix under the medical regulations successfully.

SYDNEY: Australia's October Twenty20 series against the West Indies was called off Tuesday, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the international sporting calendar.

It follows the postponement of the T20 World Cup, scheduled for October-November in Australia, and this month's one-day international series against Zimbabwe.

Cricket Australia said the three-match West Indies series had been intended as a warm-up to the T20 World Cup, but could no longer serve that purpose.

“In light of this development... it has been agreed to postpone the matches,” CA said in a statement.

The series will take place ahead of the rescheduled T20 World Cup, on dates yet to be decided in either 2021 or 2022.

Australia is currently struggling with a second wave of coronavirus infections and its international borders remain closed, with arrivals required to undergo 14-day quarantine.

Despite the logistical difficulties, Cricket Australia insists a money-spinning four-Test series against India in December-January will proceed.

They have been less vocal about the fate of the first-ever Test match between Australia and Afghanistan, which is due to be held in Perth in late November. AFP

BUENOS: Argentine former tennis player Mariano Puerta admitted on Monday he lied to get a reduced sentence when he was caught doping following the 2005 French Open final he lost to Rafael Nadal.

“The explanation we used as a strategy was a lie. But I didn't gain any sporting advantage, I don't want to be seen as a cheat any more,” Puerta told the La Nacion newspaper.

Spanish great Nadal bounced back from losing the first set on a tie-break to win his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros -- where he has been crowned champion a record 12 times.

Following the final, Puerta, now 41, tested positive for the stimulant etilefrine.

Given he'd already served a nine-month doping ban in 2003 after testing positive for another stimulant, clenbuterol, he was initially handed an eight-year ban.

However, upon arguing that he had accidentally ingested the etilefrine when he took a sip from his wife's glass of water in which she had put medication for menstrual pains, his ban was reduced to two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

However, Puerta told La Nacion that at the time he was taking a nutritional supplement that contained “caffeine and ginseng” that he acquired from a friend of his personal trainer Dario Lecman, and which was contaminated with traces of etilefrine.

“We couldn't do anything because the pills were bought, I don't know how to put this ... not in a legal way,” said Puerta.

“My lawyers didn't think it was a good idea to say what happened.” However, questioned by La Nacion, Lecman said: “I've got nothing to do with this. I didn't give him anything. It's a lie.” Puerta's former coach Andres Schneiter, also cast doubt on the new version of events.

“I asked him what had happened and he told me he didn't know. I thought he was lying. I sensed that reply wasn't sincere, I think he took something without knowing and it was negligence,” said Schneiter.

Puerta was ranked number nine in the world at the time but never managed to reach that level again after his comeback in 2007 and he retired two years later. AFP

LONDON: Wales centre Jamie Roberts has signed for Pro14 side Dragons, fulfilling a promise he made to himself he would play in his home country again.

The 33-year-old barrel-chested midfielder, capped 94 times and a further three occasions with the British and Irish Lions, is returning home following a brief spell with the Stormers in South Africa.

Since he left Wales in 2013 for French side Racing 92 Roberts, who has twice toured with the Lions, has also played for Harlequins and Bath in the English Premiership.

“Always promised myself when I left Wales in 2013 that I'd endeavor to return to play in God's Country. Delighted and grateful to be given that opportunity this season with @dragonsrugby,” he tweeted.

Roberts will join up immediately with the region, who resume their Pro14 campaign away at the Ospreys on 23 August and then host Scarlets six days later.

It is understood the player, who last played for Wales in 2017, has signed a one-year deal.

“It's great news that we are bringing someone of Jamie's quality to the region and we know he will make an immediate impact for us,” said Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan.

“He remains an ambitious and driven player and is looking forward to coming into our environment. “ AFP

Sri Lankan pacers, Lasith Malinga and Isuru Udana, who play for Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, respectively, will miss the first week of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to the commencement of the inaugural season of the Lankan Premier League (LPL). SLC is expected to commence LPL from August 28 to September 20, while the IPL tourney is scheduled from September 19 to November 10 in the UAE. SLC is expected to get the green light from medical authorities to commence the LPL tournament on the dates that were scheduled.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has made it clear that no national player will be allowed to participate in foreign T20 leagues until Board’s own Lanka Premier League (LPL) finishes, the Daily News reliably learned. Accordingly, Mumbai Indians’ senior pacer Lasith Malinga and Royal Challengers Bangalore’s(RCB) all-rounder Isuru Udana will be missing the first week of IPL 2020 due to their involvement in the LPL.

Isuru Udana and Lasith Malinga

The tentative date for the final of the tournament is September 20, one day after the commencement of the much-awaited 2020 season of the IPL. In this case, Lasith Malinga and Isuru Udana will only be able to leave for the UAE after the 20th of September and will have to serve a mandatory quarantine of 72 hours after arriving in the country. All this is expected to delay their participation in the IPL by at least a week.

Malinga has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians set-up, with 177 scalps in 122 games. Even though Mumbai Indians have a plethora of quality fast bowlers in their squad, they prefer Malinga due to his vast experience of delivering in crunch situations. The veteran pacer had starred with the ball when the Mumbai-based outfit won the league for a record fourth time last year. But Mumbai Indians do have enough firepower in their ranks.

The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan, and Hardik Pandya form the franchise’s pace attack.

Moreover, Isuru Udana will play his trade for RCB this season and is expected to play a pivotal role in the team’s journey to acquire their maiden IPL title. This is Udana’s first season in the IPL, and he will surely be looking to impress one and all. This will be a good experience for Udana before the next T20 World Cup.

- (DR)

MUMBAI: Vivo India, the Chinese mobile phone manufacturer’s local arm, and BCCI have decided to part ways for the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Vivo India had entered into a contract with IPL in 2017 with a winning bid of Rs 2,199 crore for a period of five years and was paying the board an approximate Rs 440 crore per year for the tournament’s title rights.

TOI understands that Vivo India and BCCI have, for now, decided to part ways for the 13th edition and a call on their future participation and resumption of the existing deal will be taken early next year.

There’s relief in BCCI over Vivo’s exit but the board is also worried about getting a replacement at such short notice.

BCCI was caught in the middle of a political storm after Sunday’s Governing Council meeting arrived at a decision to retain all their sponsors for the 13th edition, including the Chinese mobile manufacturing giant, despite the ongoing political upheaval surrounding the recent border standoff with China.

On the other hand, BCCI is rattled because Vivo’s exit will mean getting a replacement on board at a time when Covid-19 has left the markets in distress and there’s hardly any time left because the IPL is scheduled to begin in 45 days from now.

TOI understands that BCCI took the call on Monday night to allow Vivo to exit for this year but have left a window open for renegotiations next year, subject to how things pan out between now and 2021.

Vivo India is learnt to have amicably agreed to walk out of the deal, despite an “iron-clad” contract, given the negativity that has enveloped the market and the political spectrum.

“It was a tightly drafted contract to protect all parties concerned and the BCCI has done excellently to ensure that there are no legal repercussions to this right now,” sources said.

BCCI says it takes “the general sentiment of the Indian cricket fans in absolute seriousness” and is in the middle of a series of meetings with its stakeholders and the industry in general to find necessary solutions.

In 2016, the mobile-manufacturer had replaced soft-drink giants PepsiCo to enter the title sponsorship space after the latter walked out of a Rs 396-crore deal in October 2015, allowing IPL to earn an approximate 450% premium on the rights value. Ever since Vivo walked into the deal, industry experts cited the transaction as a “highly over-valued one and close to 40% above what should’ve been a realistic figure”.

Vivo’s exit, nevertheless, has the cricketing ecosystem in a tizzy. BCCI and IPL franchises, post the first 10 years of the league, have been contractually bound to share the central pool revenue on a 50:50 basis. Vivo’s Rs 440 crore sponsorship meant that BCCI would earn Rs 220 cr from the deal every year while the remaining Rs 220 crore would be divided among the eight franchises. “That means, each franchise will be taking a hit of approximately Rs 28 crore each because of Vivo’s exit. Then there won’t be any gate revenue from this year’s IPL because it’s a television-only event. So, that’ll be another Rs 3 to 3.5 cr per game, which means around Rs 21 to 24 cr. The franchises will seek compensation from the IPL,” say those tracking developments.

BCCI does acknowledge that franchises will be losing out on revenue – approximately Rs 50 cr per franchise if Vivo and gate money losses are put together – but insists that the franchises are being “penny-wise and pound-foolish” with their perspective.

“If there was no IPL this year, franchises wouldn’t be making any money. But the tournament is still happening, which means they’re still taking home something as against nothing. Plus, it’s not like the BCCI will not be looking at a replacement for Vivo this year,” BCCI sources said.

While the board doesn’t expect to get a replacement at the same value as what Vivo India was paying, there is a line of thought that “50% of that value can be recovered through either a new title sponsor or by way of bringing in multiple (three to four) official title partners”.

An industry executive said, “E-commerce companies and edu-startups will be keenly eyeing this space as the margins drop and windows open. The next 48 hours will help us understand this better”.

- times of india

Rugby was once a moderately popular sport in the planting sector in the upcountry, but today, it does not attract the same. In 1953, Dimbulla A & CC became the first club to win the Clifford Cup from the upcountry after defeating the previous year’s cup-holders, CR & FC, by 6-0. The Clifford Cup rugby tournament is one of the most anticipated sporting events of our country, and what would have been its 109th edition has been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year. Now we’ll have to wait until the next year.

The game of rugby was first introduced to Sri Lanka in 1879, with the corporate sector initiating rugby promotions in Colombo and taking it to the upcountry by the planting sector, confined to the British Raj. The seeds of rugby were planted in the upcountry with Scottish and Englishmen stationed at plantations. During this time, the game of rugby flourished mainly due to the plantations companies’ enthusiasm and commitment to promote it.

Possessing such a long history, Sri Lanka rugby’s main contribution to the game is certainly the famous Clifford Cup tournament finals played at either Radella or Darawella. This glittering silver trophy holds a prominent place in its own right in the history of the game. The clubs that represented the upcountry were Dimbula AC, Dickoya MCC, and Uva. At one time, they were the top three leading rugby clubs in the country. According to past records of rugby, those who took the game seriously in the early years were the planting community from Dickoya, Dimbula, and Uva.

In 1908, the Ceylon Rugby Football Union was formed with just six clubs in the game; Dimbula ACC, Dickoya MCC, Kandy SC, Uva Gymkhana Club, and Kalutara SC. The first recorded rugby match in Sri Lanka took place on September 7, 1880, between Dimbuall A & CC and Dickoya MCC. In this game, Dickoya MCC won the game 9 points to 3. The match was played at Darawella. The return game took place a week later at the Radella Grounds and Dimbula emerged victorious 3 to nil. Unfortunately, today, these two clubs have been out of rugby for quite some time.

In this first game, Dickoya MCC was led by Metafile; the rest of the players were Curtis, Frees, Dove, Roswell, Corrier, Grahm, Haden, Messervy, Ogilvy, Parsons, Power, Wetherill, Wilton, and Richardson. Dimbula ACC was led by Fyers; the rest were Tatha, Verelsh, Wright, Boyd, Evans, Fitzclarence, Gwatkin, Hardie, McClintouch, Roper, Setton, Tynte, and Eright.

Dimbula ACC, the first Clifford Cup winners from upcountry, was founded in 1856. Their sports activities were Rugger, Cricket, Squash, Billiards, Snooker, Tennis, and Badminton. They were a major force in rugby until the mid-1970s, when sports saw a decline after plantations were nationalised. Dimbula ACC won the Clifford Cup when it was only four years old at club-level. Then, in 1956, both these club combined and played as Dim/Dicks, and became second to CR & FC in the Clifford Cup Tournament. Then again, in 1959, Dimbula ACC shared the Cup with CR & FC.

Another movement came in 1970 under the leadership of evergreen Ken Murray. Then, Dimbula ACC emerged the Clifford Cup League Champions, and they were deprived of the rugby double when they lost to Abdul Majeed’s Policemen team by just 0-6 in the Clifford Cup knockout semi-finals.

Dimbulla ACC were not only a major force in the game, but also produced some of the finest ruggerites; namely, D.R. Macare, J. Bousfield, J. Warning, Miles Christoffelsz, Larry Shockman, S. Canagasabai, M. Parry, I. McDonals, Mike de Alwis, Stanly Unamboowe, Dharmasiri Madugalle, Owen Mottau, Jayantha Jayewardene, Rohan Wijanayeke, Clifford Elahart, Roger d’Silva, Sunil Jayakody, Tommy Kelaart, Peter Amerasinghe, Rohan Kulatunga, Mohan Samarakoon, Iswan Omar, Tuan Dole, P.H.A.N. Dias, Brain Lourenzz, Lanil Tennakoon, Brian Lieverze, Cedric, Brian Munaweera, Maithri Liyanage, Chandika Brodie, Senaka Alawattegama, Johny Daniels, Mohan Ganapathy, D.J. Ratwatte, Ana Wijaratne, Trevor Nugawella, Channa de Costa, Ravi Bandaranayake, and Ronnie Ibrahim.

Dickoya MCC first entered the Clifford Cup Final in 1958. It was founded in 1874, and started out with Rugger, Cricket, Tennis, Squash, Badminton, and Cue sports. They, too, were another major force in rugby to reckon with. At one time, the Darawella Grounds, with an excellent clubhouse, was the most beautiful rugby grounds in the country. It was the venue visited by the famous English Test cricketer Sir Jack Hobbs during the England team’s tour. He named his home Darawella after returning to England.

In the past, Dickoya MCC produced great teams. They entered the Clifford Cup finals twice and went down to CR & FC and Havelock SC in 1958 and 1961. In 1961, Dickoya MCC, under M.G.K. Macpherson; the man who led Kandy SC in the 1955 cup final, and Dimbula in 1959; went down to Dr. Hubert Aloysius’ Havelock SC team in the final seconds of the game, due to an off-side penalty. Dickoya MCC had players of the calibre of T.B. Pilapitiya, Rohan Wijanayake, B.I. Gunawardena, and Uvais Odayar. Some of the top products of this club were Barry Cameron, Tony Johnson, Chris Bean, Lionel Almeida, Uvais Odayar, David Weatherton, Baila Samarasinghe, D. Bretherton, Dharmasiri Madugalle, Rohan Abeyasundara, J.M.E. Warning, Mohan Samarakoon, Iswan Omar, Irwin Howie, C.D. Gibon, Lanil Tennakoon, Ranga Gunasekara, Mohan Ganapathy, Mahen Madugalle, Tony Perera, Dushy Perera, Tariq Omar, Dilkshan Ratwatte, Dushan Ratwatte, Rohan Edwards, Sumedha Ratwatte, Suresh Navaratnam, Rajivi Bandaranayake, and Chanake Hearth.

Most of the players have played for both clubs, due to employment transfers. A few years back, both these clubs played the game for a trophy in memory of the late P.H.A.N. Dias. However, there was another upcountry club who did well in the game, and that is Uva—the first club from the upcountry to enter the Clifford Cup final. The Uva Gymkhana Club produced good rugby teams at a certain time as well. The great rugby players of Uva, who played the game at the highest levels while being far away from the main city, had great times with entertainment at its best. As such, they acquired the name ‘Merrie on Men’ from Uva. They played the game of rugby in a grand style and gained recognition from all sectors. Their first Clifford Cup team comprised L. Herath, A. Ariarajah, C. MaCaulayt, P. Pontibridge, G. Fernando, R. Tissera, G. Pethiyagoda, F. Brown, H. Froxely, D. Dawson, M. McKohenck, D. Bertleet, G.Roberts, S. Scobie, and J Mac.

Some of the top players who played for Uva were A. C. B. Horfall, C. D. Herath, M. M. Clarke, J. T. Pettgraw, F. Aldons, K. Ariarajah, D. Parkar, Tyrone Howie, R. G. Howie, J. Boyd Moss, J. Garner, Ralph Gauder, S. B. Pilapitiya, A. Hamer, Lionel Almeida, Rayan Howie, Ronnie Gunaratne, Lanil Tennekoon, Sarath de Zoysa, D. N. Pilimatalawa, Farook Cassim, Mohan Samarasinghe, Uvais Odayar, Goerge Jayasena, Dharmasiri Madugalle, Franklyn Jacob, Iswan Omar, Gamini Udugama, Sunil Serasinghe, and David Withem.

London, Monday: Chris Woakes is happy to be an unsung hero but the England paceman says he is as keen as any of his more high-profile colleagues to play in the first Test against Pakistan on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old bowling all-rounder was a key figure in England’s recent 2-1 series win over the West Indies.

He took 5-50 on the final day of the third Test at Old Trafford, also the venue for the Pakistan opener in another three-match campaign.

But his fine return came on the same day that fellow England seamer Stuart Broad took his 500th Test wicket. With the established new-ball pair of Broad and James Anderson, as well as express quicks Jofra Archer and Mark Wood vying for spots, competition for places in England’s attack is fierce.

That is not even taking into account star all-rounder Ben Stokes, unfit to bowl in the West Indies finale because of injury, or Sam Curran, who played in the second Test against the West Indies. “I honestly really don’t mind. I’m not one for being the centre of attention,” Woakes told reporters on Monday.

“Don’t get me wrong, I want to go out on the field and perform and I want to make match-winning performances for England but it really doesn’t bother me if I’m first choice to write about or not, to be brutally honest.”

Yet with 81 Test wickets at 22 apiece in England, Woakes has a better home average than either Anderson or Broad.

“My stats have been mentioned and they’re very good in England,” said Woakes, who has taken 106 wickets in 35 Tests overall. “At my age and where I am now, at 31, it’s unlikely that I’m going to go on and get 500 Test wickets like Jimmy and Broady but I still want to go on and get as many as I can individually. “I still feel like I can provide really good services to England for many more years to come.”

World Cup-winner Woakes said he hoped he had done enough to get into the starting XI for the first Test.

“But competition is high at the minute,” he said. “We’ve still got two of England’s greats charging in and taking wickets every time they play and we’ve got exciting fast bowlers as well.”

Woakes enjoyed a breakthrough series against Pakistan in 2016, when he took 26 wickets, but it is still 10 years since England last won a Test campaign against Pakistan. “Pakistan are always a competitive team,” he said. “They’ve got good experience and some exciting young players, as they always do.” Woakes’s former Warwickshire team-mate Jonathan Trott will be England’s batting consultant for the series.

- AFP

Sri Lanka women’s cricket team skipper Chamari Atapattu has a good chance to play the third edition of the Women’s Indian Premier League (IPL), known as Women’s T20 Challenge, which is scheduled to be played from November 1 to 10 in the UAE. After the Governing Council meeting last Sunday, it was decided that the tournament will feature three teams who will play four matches, including the final.

Sourav Ganguly, the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has confirmed to Indian media that the Women’s T20 Challenge will be played in the UAE during the men’s IPL, which will be played from September 19 to November 10. Both men’s and women’s IPL finals will be played on the same day, November 10.

Atapattu said it’s good news to confirm women’s IPL after the Coronavirus crisis. Sri Lanka women’s cricketers already commenced their practices with physical training first, after the lockdown period.

Skipper Atapattu said she is the only Sri Lankan player to play in the franchise T20 tournament, but likes to see more Sri Lankans get represented in the tournament. Atapattu played for the IPL Supernovas team in the second edition and again will play for the same team with two other teams IPL Trailblazers and IPL Velocity, will compete for this tournament. However, the teams are not yet finalised for this year’s edition. Atapattu, the hard-hitting left-hand batswoman, who was among the highest top-scorers at the last T20 world cup, will most probably be called for this IPL for the second time. Atapattu also said that she had already negotiated with her previous team through the agent, but hasn’t been confirmed as yet.

The inaugural IPL women’s tournament was played in 2018, where only two teams Supernovas and Trailblazers, have competed. None of the Sri Lankan players haven’t been called for the first Women’s IPL. The ‘Velocity’ team made its entry to the tournament last year. Both previous editions was won by the Supernovas.

Chamari Atapattu further commented, “The franchise T20 tournaments are always important for exposure-playing with top-class foreign players. Last time, I was given the opportunity to play in the England League, the Australian Big Bash League, as well as the IPL.” All three were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sri Lankan women’s team has missed tours with New Zealand and Bangladesh as well. Women’s World Cup qualifying rounds were scheduled from July 3 to 19 in Sri Lanka, but have been pushed back due to the virus.

The Challenge tournament’s (Women’s IPL) schedule clashes with the Women’s Big Bash League schedule, which is to be played between October 17 and November 29 – and chances are high that most of the Australian players will miss out on the action. Also, there is a possibility that the number of Indian and Asian players in the tournament will increase.

“The women cricketers are likely to reach the UAE mid-October, follow the protocols laid out in view of the global crisis, and stay inside the bubble. It is not yet clear where the matches will be held. A decision is expected to be made soon, once the schedule of the tournament is finalised,” said a senior official of the BCCI to the Indian media.

The Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) is to commence its activities gradually and has informed its stakeholders, as well as the accredited schools and the clubs, to resume their training session as per the Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines, which was halted due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last March.

A national body, which has the membership drive of 145 schools and 38 Clubs Island-wide, is geared up and is awaiting the final written approval from the MOH and the other related authorities to get into the competition level, where right now some schools and clubs have resumed their practice sessions under their respective coaches. No sooner the required permission is granted by authorities, the SLASU is with an intention of holding the novices swimming tournament, which is one of the prominent events in their calendar, involving various age categories.

The SLASU, one of the oldest governing bodies in the country with a history of over eight decades, has produced some talented swimmers to represent at international events who brought glory to the country. Nethru Nanayakkara, the incumbent president of SLASU, is very optimistic to restart the tournaments and get going but is very particular about the written approval from the related authorities. According to him, China has extended an invitation for sea games only for two swimmers in the 5 and 10 kilometres category, which he says is not sufficient to participate as more participants are knocking on the doors, seeking permission.

Matthew Abeysinghe was semi-finalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia and was placed 6th at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia, in the 100 meter Freestyle event. He also won 7 gold medals for the second time at 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal, to become the most decorated Sri Lankan athlete in any sport at South Asian Games. He repeated the feat that he first accomplished at the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati, India. Kimiko Raheem, who won 5 gold medals in the 2016 edition of South Asian Games(SAG), won gold in her main event, the 100 Backstroke at the Singapore Open Championship in 2019.

Aakalanka Peries is ranked 9th at the 3rd Youth Olympic Games 2018 in Rio de Janeiro and was the finalist at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 at Gold Coast and at the Asian Games in 2018 in Indonesia. He was also Gold Medalists at the Asian Age groups under 18 championships held in Uzbekistan. He also has won several medals at SAG games at the Singapore National championship, while representing Sri Lanka at many other international championships aiming for e Olympic ‘B’ standard in the 100-metre backstroke; a few of the achievements recorded by the Lankan swimmers in the recent past at the international events.

“We can see the schools and clubs are gradually resuming their practices under their coaches. We are awaiting for a written confirmation to go fully-fledged and also to conduct the competitions. No sooner we obtain that we are hoping to start the domestic tournament with the Novices Meet,” said Nanayakkara.

Southampton, Tuesday: Paul Stirling and captain Andrew Balbirnie both scored hundreds as Ireland completed a shock seven-wicket win over world champions England in the third one-day international at Southampton on Tuesday.

Stirling made 142 and Balbirnie 113, the pair putting on 264 for the second wicket as Ireland chased a target of 329.

When both were out in quick succession, however, it looked like Ireland might falter but Kevin O’Brien -- whose brilliant hundred set up Ireland’s stunning win over England at the 2011 World Cup in Bangalore, helped see them to victory with just one ball to spare. Ireland’s win was all the more impressive as they had lost the first two matches in a three-game series after making lowly totals of 172 and 212-9. Earlier England captain Eoin Morgan, a former Ireland batsman, made 106 against his native country.

But with England on course for an impregnable total, they three wickets for 13 runs as they slumped from 190-3 to 203-6.

Ireland’s victory, which rounded off the first ODI series since the coronavirus lockdown, also gave them 10 points in the new World Cup Super League, which will determine qualification for the 2023 50-over showpiece in India. - AFP

New York, Tuesday: Defending champion Rafael Nadal said Tuesday he will not play the US Open, citing concerns over the coronavirus and slamming tennis’s “barbaric” revised calendar.

“After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s US Open,” Nadal said on Twitter.

“The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it.

“This is a decision I never wanted to take but I have decided to follow my heart this time and for the time being I rather not travel.” The 34-year-old Spanish star also took aim at the international tennis schedule, which has been revised following disruptions sparked by COVID-19 shutdowns.

The US Open in New York, scheduled for August 31 through September 13, will be followed a fortnight later by the French Open at Roland Garros.

“We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after 4 months stopped with no play...” Nadal said.

With Nadal’s long-time rival Roger Federer already ruled out of the tournament as he recovers from knee surgery, the US Open will mark the first time since 1999 that neither player has featured in the main draw of a Grand Slam event. Nadal, who has 19 Grand Slam victories, could have equalled Federer’s tally of 20 Slam wins in New York.

Doubts about Nadal’s willingness to play the US Open have swirled for months as tennis grapples with a calendar that has been decimated by pandemic disruption. In June, Nadal warned he would not consider playing the US Open unless he was satisfied conditions were “completely safe.” Nadal’s name was entered last week on the US Open tune-up tournament, the ATP/WTA Western and Southern Open, which will be held in New York this year instead of Cincinnati.

- AFP

The Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) is conducting high altitude training for a few members of the athletic Pool in Nuwara Eliya. This special training which is now in progress gives extra benefit for the athletes to adjust to weather conditions( low temperature) which makes it easy to compete at the International meets .In addition this type of training always keeps their high endurance level and help to develop their skills.

The AASL expectations are very clear and they have given all facilities to athletes for this high altitude special training with the valuable support from the Sports Ministry.

The National athletic pool has been formed by the AASL in preparation for the forthcoming International tournaments There are nearly 26 athletes presently involved with this residential training with their coaches.

The eight middle distance runners are undergoing residential training under Kenyan coach Dans Vitto at Nuwara Eliya while a few athletes under the coaching of renowned athletic coach Sajith Jayalal doing their residential training at Boralanda and Gurutalawa areas. In addition another section of athletes coached by Ratnapura district coach Rohitha Gunaratne have started their training at Ohiya, Badulla.

The senior athletic officials including AASL President Major General Palitha Fernando and National coach Y.K. Kularatne have gone to inspect this high altitude training at Nuwara Eliya, Boralanda, Gurutalawa and Ohiya areas. This high altitude training is very useful for these athletes Especially middle distance and long distance athletes who are keen to maintain their endurance for competitions and cold climate is useful for them said a senior official of the AASL.  

However Sri Lankan athletes badly needed a high altitude training centre in Nuwara Eliya. The proposal had come up several times in the past. But it didn’t work out It was last floated under Dayasiri Jayasekera, a former Minister of Sports.

His administration even signed a technical agreement with the French Company Ellipse Project SAS in July 2017 with UKEF agreeing to finance 70 percent while the remaining 30 percent was to be funded by Hatton National Bank.  

 Meanwhile all National pool athletes and their coaches have to produce their monthly progress report to the Sports Development Department. This is the first time this type of report is requested from the athletes and coaches. The Sport Development Department already supplies monthly allowance for the National pool athletes and coaches and they wanted to know about the athletes monthly progress and this report should be submitted for the Sport Development Department. There are 15 coaches already receiving this allowance from the Sports Ministry. A Section of the National pool already involved in high altitude training in Nuwara Eliya and suburbs while others are training at Torrington grounds at Colombo.  

The special meeting was held at the Sports Ministry recently to investigate the progress of the National pool training. The 15 member committee including Sport Director General Amal Edirisuriya has been appointed to coordinate this National pool activities and review their progress.  

When you talk about the sport of hockey, there is a dedicated person by the name of Nimal Jayasuriya Etipola who was involved in hockey administration for half a century. She says that due to Covid – 19 epidemic all activities with regard to sports have come to a standstill and she is really interested in improving hockey in all the districts as she is the daughter of the famous hockey player and the first International Umpire of Sri Lanka, Walter Jayasuriya. She is really sad   about the present situation of the game of hockey.

Nimal Jayasuriya has been involved in hockey from the inception of Hockey Nationals in Sri Lanka 65 years ago. If she gets the support of the Hockey Federation, she will give all her assistance to improve the game throughout the country.  

Nimal Jayasuriya Etipola, an old girl of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo was the Captain of the School hockey team from 1964 to 1967. As a player, she started her hockey career at Visakha Vidyalaya in 1962 and never looked back since then.

It was hockey all the way and her family backing enabled her to go places. She started coaching hockey at Visakha and then introduced the game to Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda in the year 1972.

Before going to Sujatha Vidyalaya she was selected for the National Team in 1970 and played till the late 1990s as fullback. Before going into full time coaching, Nimal toured Singapore, Malaysia and India with the Sri Lanka women’s hockey team. But before getting into the Sri Lanka team, she was in the Combined Schools team and had the distinction of captaining the President’s XI team in the mini Asian Tournament held in Sri Lanka. She had such a love and dedication for the game of hockey that she also played for the BRC and Ceylonese Ladies Hockey Club and even followed a Coaching Course on the game in Malaysia and Singapore.

She put all her experience and knowledge gained from the game to good use in coaching and was one time National Coach and a hockey umpire too.  

Nimal Etipola was also involved in the administration of the sport and was the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association as well as Sri Lanka Hockey Federation.  

At present she is coaching children in hockey for the love of the game002E

Alex Lazarus, who died two years ago at the age of 71 years, is remembered for his good work in the rugby field. At the time of his death he was the Director of Sports at Trinity College after serving as the senior boarding house master. It was under his coaching in 1987 and captaincy of Tyrell Rajapakse Trinity College last won the school championship . Rest of the team was S.N. Gunaratne, Shah Doole was the vice captain, Dilshan Senanayake, A.U.H. Gunaratne, R. Kahatapitiya, P. Dissanayake, R.N.A. Basnayake, Lohan Ratwatte, T.S. Hettiarchchi, R. Weerasinghe, A. Abeyawickrema, N.L.K. Ratnayake. N.P. Abeysinghe D.T.B.Kiridena, Inthi Marikar, Janindha L.B. Dunuwille, R.M. Ranaraja, P.Samarasinghe, H. Wijenathan, J.D. David, E de Alwis, O.R. Abdeen, S. Attapattu, D.M. Wije singhe Rev. Dr. W.G. Wickremasinghe Principal and S. Ariyasingam MIC. 

Then it was under his coaching Kandy Sports Club won the Clifford Cup for the first time in 1992. He was a coach who worked hard to direct onto the correct path. He hailed from a famous sporting family and was a well known personality in rugby. At the time of his death he was the Director of Sports at his school Trinity College after serving as the senior boarding house master. Alex was a fine forward who played for Trinity in the mid 1960s and his last year was in 1967 under the leadership of Ajith Abeyratne and some of his team mates of that year were Shafie Jainudeen, Iswan Omar, Gamini Udugama, Stephen Paul, Anil Siriwardene, Dudley Dissanayake, Mahendra Talwatte, M. Affif, Errol Warne, Mohan Balasuriya, Jadi Dissanayke, Gogi Tillakeratne, B.Shanthi Kumar. N.T.B. Dassanayake, Ranjan Nadarajah, Rafi Ismail, Mark Sundaralingam and Prince Nayagam. 

His first club was CH & FC after a good display crossed over to Kandy Lake Club from where he ended up at Kandy RFC, Later played for Kandy Sports Club and also for Up-Country. He took up coaching and did it from the heart producing many players while honesty, decency and fairness was a hallmark of himself. He also coached the Sri Lanka Youth team. He also coached Dharmaraja College and when he was in charge of Asgiriya Stadium he allowed St.Sylvester’s College rugger team to do their training in the mornings, due to that Sylvestrians rugby improved and they took the game seriously. After retiring from rugby playing and coaching he served in the committees of Kandy Sports Club, Central Province Rugby Football Union and also was one time live wire of the Old Trinitians Sports Club. 

Alex Lazarus stands out as a peer whose team building and tactical prowess was second to none as the readers will see from what follows. Fitness was the Number One priority. He was one of the Trinitians who loved this sacred place called Trinity and a person who sacrificed his whole life for the betterment of the school. 

He was the second curator of the Asgiriya cricket stadium and helped in a big way when international matches were played at this venue. He also helped to upgrade the NIttawela rugby grounds.

The fifth year player, coloursman, last years first eleven cricket captain, right hand , middle order batsman and a fine fielder in any position Rasindu Hansaka will be in action for his Alma Mater Siri Piyarathana College, Padukka in the forthcoming first eleven cricket season 2020/21.  

He commenced his schooling at Siri Piyarathana Junior School, Padukka and he was drafted to his present school for the Grade six class in 2013. Since his smaller days his forte is cricket and at the age of ten he joined the Cricket Academy of Padukka under Mr. Gamlath. Then he attended practices for the school under 13 team and Mr. Gamlath was the coach. He was selected to the under 13 team and his first year he scored 203 runs with a fifty and in his second year he collected 190 runs.  

As an under fifteen player under Radeesh Kalpa he came up to expectations but in his second year he scored 306 runs but it was insufficient to get selected to the Colombo District Team for the Prima Cup Tournament.  

In his next year in the under 17 team he scored 286 runs with two half centuries and in the All Island Finals they lost to S Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia and ended up as runners up . However his contribution carried a long way to enter the finals. In this tournament he collected 316 runs with three fifties in division one and his coach was Hiran Gunawardene. Rasindu got selected for the first eleven team as an under 17 player in 2016/17 and got 196 runs in his first year and in the following season he scored 218 runs and in the 2018/19 season he scored 392 runs with a fifty and last year he scored 468 runs in 16 outings with two half centuries. He led his Alma Mater to beat formidable Piliyandala Central in the pre quarters of the two day tournament. However Centralians got the revenge by beating them in the one day tournament. This tournament could not proceed due to Covid 19.  

He played in three Big Matches against their arch rivals Royal College, Horana starting with 2017 and followed in 2018 and they beat them on both occasions and the 2019 encounter was drawn. His dream of captaining his school in 2020 Big Match could not be achieved due to the prevailing situation in the country. Anyhow he has another year to represent his school in 2021 under his vice captain Yasiru Deemantha. His coach Hiran Gunawardene, Mr. Shammi and the Principal Nihal Pathmasiri and Master in Charge of cricket Sham Thushara were always behind him for his success.

Maruthoor Challengers team beat Maruthoor Strikers team, Sainthamaruthu by 35 runs in the final to emerge champions and bagged the ‘‘Maruthoor Premier League -2020 trophy of the limited over 15/15 Hard Ball Cricket tournament conducted by Maruthoor Sports Leaders sponsored by Myown Group at the Bolivarian Public Grounds in Sainthamaruthu recently. 

Maruthoor Sports Leaders President M.S.M.Hakeem Sheriff organized the tournament while Maruthoor Lions, Maruthoor Knight Riders, Maruthoor Fighters, Maruthoor Challengers, Maruthoor Strikers and Maruthoor Worriers hard ball cricket teams from the Sainthamaruthu area participated. 

Maruthoor Challengers team batting first scored 170 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allocated 15 overs. Maruthoor Strikers team in reply scored 135 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 15 overs. Man of the match award was secured by M.I.M.Rifan of the Maruthoor Challengers team. Champions Maruthoor Challengers team were awarded Rs.20,000.00 cash prize and trophy by the guests and the runner-up Maruthoor Strikers team was awarded Rs.10,000.00. 

Former Higher Education Deputy Minister Myown Musthafa , U 19 Sri Lanka team supper Provincial captain, Colombo U 23 Sri Lanka development squad first class player and 2016 Sunday Observer all Island best batsman Akeel Inham  participated as the guests.     

Sri Lanka Rugby has a plan to conduct their Dialog Inter-Club Rugby season matches under lights to attract more spectators to witness the main tournament in the Sri Lanka Rugby calendar, which will be decided after the Annual General Meeting of SLR, which is due at the end of August, with the new office bearers taking over under the leadership of Rizly Illyas.

With a drastic decline of spectator turnup due to various reasons, which included the advancement of playing timings to 4 p.m. from which earlier commenced between 4.30 to 5 p.m, more or less where there was a fully-packed house to witness these games. In order to overcome this situation, SLR, after a series of discussions, decided to hold the matches, especially the weekdays under lights, which will enable spectators to witness these matches after their office engagements.

Nevertheless, there has to be sufficient infrastructure facilities to conduct the matches under lights. Only Havelock’s Sports Club is geared up with this facility within their premises, and the other option is the Race Course Grounds, for which a huge amount of money has to be paid for utilisation of the grounds with lights.

The Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club, better known as CR and FC, has also initiated a plan with the assistance of SLR and the Ministry of Sports under the leadership of former minister Harin Fernando, who agreed to support financially to fulfill this novel project for the betterment of not only rugby, but for all other sports which require floodlight facility at economic rates.

CR came to an understanding as well, and has gotten into an agreement with the SLR to recover the coast spent on this project.

The Sri Lanka Air force grounds located at Ratmalana also possess the floodlight facility where they could conduct their inter-regiment sporting events. According to their sources, the present strength of the lights is sufficient to conduct sporting events, and further upgrading the system will help them host rugby matches.

Newly-elected president of CR and FC, Ted Muttiah, regarding any development on this matter, told the Daily News, “We are on it without any change. We hope to finalise the project within this year with the intervention of the SLR.”