A society on behalf of Sri Lankan lyric writers was established on July 31. Lyricists from the elder generation as well as modern day upcoming young lyric writers got together to establish this group.

The society was the brainchild of seasoned vocalist Keerthi Pasquel. Veterans in the field like Wimaladasa Perera, D C Jayasinghe, D B T Edirisinghe, Hector Wijayasiri, Jayantha Kalupahana, and Tissa Dias as well as the next generation of lyricists like Bandula Jayasinghe, Daya D Fonseka, Amila Thenuwara, Shehan Galahitiyawa and many more were preset.

Ratrana Sri Wijesinghe and Nilar N Cassim were co- presidents. George Robson de Silva was the secretary while the deputy secretary was Manuranga Wijesekara. Bandula Nanayakkarawasam was the treasurer while the deputy treasurer was Dilan Gamage.

Rambukkana Siddhartha thera, Prof Sunil Ariyaratne, Prof Praneeth Abeysundara, Attorney-at-law W A Abeysinghe, Saman Chandranath Weerasinghe were selected to the committee.

Geethanath Kudaligama, Sunil Yogendra, ravindra Samaraperuma, Indika Appurala, Preethi Randeniya, Sharmila Hussein, Upali Bandara Weerasekara, Yapa Bandara Seneviratne, Lasitha Jayaneththi Arachchige, Rasika D Duminda, Aradhana Ekanayake, and Chanaka Jayasekara too were included in the committee. Ruwan Nandika, Wimalaka Muhamdiram, Saman Priyadharshana, Rohana Hettiarachchi, Bandula Jagoda were included in the organizing committee. Anton J Fernando and Rodney Widanapathirana were named as media coordinators. Sathyajith Lakmal was named the coordinator for digital media. Neluka Sanjeewani Fernando was in charge of the funds. Keerthi Pasquel was named as the maid coordinator due to popular demand from those who gathered at the event.

Nimnaka Jayathilake is an excellent spinner from St. Anthony’s College Katugastota who took more than 100 wickets in the last two years of the Under 19 Division One inter Schools Cricket (Two day) tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association.

Left arm leg-spinner Nimnaka Jayathilake gave fine bowling performances in the last two years. Nimnaka Jayathilake started his school Cricket career at Sri Chandananda Buddhist School Kandy in the under 13 division III tournament in 2014. He captured more than 60 wickets in that season. He represented the school under 13 Cricket team and he captured 46 wickets in 2015 under coaches Dileepa Sumanarathne and Seelaratne.

He joined St.Anthony’s College Katugastota in 2016 and he represented the college under 15 Cricket team in the same year. He was vice captain of the under 15 team in 2017. He worked under Dimuthu Weerasinghe in both years. He represented the Kandy district and Central Province under 15 Cricket teams in 2017 for the Prima Champions Trophy tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket. He represented the school under 17 cricket teams in the seasons of 2018 and 2019. He worked under Susantha Basnayake as coach.

He represented the college 2nd XI Cricket team in the season of 2016/17. He played the Mini Battle in 2017 against Trinity 2nd XI. He represented the college 1st XI Cricket team as a fresher in 2017/ 2018 season for the division Two tournament. He captured 96 wickets and he obtained college Cricket Colours in the year. He worked under Sampath Perera as head coach. He represented the Kandy District and Central Province Cricket under 19 teams in 2017.

He represented the College 1st XI Cricket team in 2018/2019 season as a second year coloursman. He captured 128 wickets with six, 10 wicket hauls in 18 matches in that season. Nimnaka piloted St. Anthony’s College to win the runner up in the division Two tournament. He represented the college 1st XI cricket team in two big matches in 2018 and 2019. He qualified to the shortlisted for the final 50 of the Sri Lanka U19 Cricket Squad in 2019. He represented the under 19 Super provincial cricket tournament in 2019.

He represented the college 1st XI cricket team as a 3rd year coloursman in 2019/20. He captured 84 wickets in 14 matches in the division One tournament. He worked under Suneth Gunathilake as head coach in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons. St. Anthony’s Katugastota advanced to the quarter final in the two day tournament. (Due to the prevailing health concerns (Covid-19), the SLSCA decided to postpone the ongoing Under 19 all tournament matches until further notice. (From March 15)

He established special bowling records for St. Anthony’s College Katugastota. He broke the record for the most wickets in the “Murali Vaas trophy” (St. Joseph’s vs St. Anthony’s) in 2019 by taking match bag of 12 wickets. (Previous record was held by Pradeep Fernando - 10 wickets)

He broke the record for the most number of 10 wicket hauls in a season by taking 6, 10 wicket hauls for the season 2018/19. (Previous record was held by Muttiah Muralitharan - 5 times)

He broke the record for the most number of wickets in a single season by taking 128 wickets in the 2018/19 season. (Previous record was held by Muttiah Muralitharan 127 wickets)

He expressed his gratitude to Rev. Henry Bernard Wijeratne principal of St. Anthony’s Katugastota, Master in charge Lenin Jayasinghe, all members of academic and non academic staff , Coaches Dileepa Sumanarathne, Seelarathna, Dimuthu Weerasinghe, Susantha Basnayake, Sampath Perera, Suneth Gayan, OBA, Cricket wing of the college, his team mates and their parents and his own family members. He thanks especialy other coaches Suresh Peiris (District coach), Prasad Ranawaka, Lakshman Panditharathne and Indika Fernando.

How he fared this Season

(vs Wesley Colombo 5/60, vs S. Thomas’ Mt. Lavinia 2/44 & 0/0, vs St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa 2/44, vs Ananda Colombo 3/44, vs Moratu Vidyalaya 6/25 & 7/25, vs Prince of Wales Moratuwa 1/81, vs Royal Colombo 5/32, vs St. Anne’s Kurunegala 4/21 & 7/29, vs Kingswood Kandy 3/43 & 6/14, vs Dharmaraja Kandy 1/19 & 6/5, vs St. Joseph’s Colombo 1/53 & 0/41, vs Dharmapala Pannipitiya 2/32 & 1/36, vs Dharmasoka Ambalangoda 3/16 & 5/22, vs St. Peter’s Bambalapitiya 4/70 & 1/6, vs Maliyadeva Kurunegala 4/29 & 4/54, vs St. Benedict’s Kotahena 2/80). (YK) 

Saranga Sangakkara, former student of Mahamaya Girls College,Kandy is the only women’s Lawn Tennis player outside Colombo to win the Women’s National Tennis Title and at that time she was coached by D.H. de Silva, a former National Cricketer and a Tennis Coach. (former Municipal Commissioner of Kandy)

When she won the National Womens Tennis title she was only fifteen years old. Then she joined Ladies College,Colombo and she continued playing Tennis and won the National Women’s Singles title for four consecutive years. In 1994 she won a Gold Medal at the SAF Games partnered by Lihini Weerasuriya in the doubles competition.

While studying Saranga was granted a Scholarship to join the Brown University of United States of America which was one of the most popular Universities for Studies as well as Sports and she got an opportunity to join the Tennis team of the Brown University and helped the Tennis team of the University to win the All Ivy League title. She was also awarded the All Ivy Academic and Sports Award and then she was inducted to their Hall of fame in Lawn Tennis. Lawn Tennis teams of Universities in Colombia, Cornell, Dartmouth,Harward, Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale participated in the All Ivy League Tournament held throughout the year.

Saranga participated at the Junior Australian tournament as the only Sri Lankan player in this tournament. After sometime she had to give up Lawn tennis due to a shoulder injury. She is a qualified Fashion Designer in the USA and at present she is coaching Lawn Tennis to her Son and daughter.

Saranga is the Sister of World renowned Cricketer,Kumar Sangakkara. The writer as a qualified Cricket Coach, had the privilege of coaching Kumar at Trinity College in the Under 13 level. 

Former Royal College and Sri Lanka Head Coach, Abdullah Ibunu will be elected as the Assistant Secretary of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) when the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election of office-bearers is held on August 20 at the BASL office, off Stratford Terrace in Colombo 6.

Ibunu is a two-star Boxing Coach attached to the International Boxing Association (IBA) and has experience having coached the Royal College Boxing Team and the Royal Boxing Club. He is also a Sri Lanka Boxing Coloursman and won the ‘Royal Crown’ for be en named as the Best Sportsman of the Year at Royal College in 2004.

Ibunu has completed an Olympic Solidarity Course and has followed the National Sports of Science Level-1 in addition to many other qualifications. Meanwhile, Dian Gomes will be re-elected as President of the BASL uncontested for another four years.

This will be the third time that Gomes is getting this responsibility to promote boxing in Sri Lanka.

He was elected as BASL President in 2017, having been at the helm of the Boxing Association for the first time from 2004 to 2007. Nominations for election of office-bearers closed on July 10 and all key positions were uncontested.

Former National champion and South Asian Games Silver Medallist, SSP Saman Gunaratne and former National Boxing Coach,WasanthaKumara will be elected as Vice-Presidents of the BASL. In addition, Lt. Col (Rtd) HemanthaWeerasinghe will take over as Secretary of the BASL, a position he held from 2008 to 2010.

Aubrey Peiris, a former Stubbs Shield boxing champion, will be the Treasurer and DeepalHerathwill be the Assistant Treasurer.

Rugby which can be traced back to the1860’s has flourished in the Kandy city. The success of rugby in Kandy is attributed to those players, coaches, referees and administrators who have, over the years, given much of their time, effort and expertise. It is a privilege to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the sport we all love. One of them is none other than Izwan Omar,generally known as Izi, was a knowledgeable loose forward player, coach, referee and administrator. Izi started his rugby at Trinity College under the guidance of Hilary Abeyaratne and first played for the under 15 side as a prop forward and as a second-row forward for the under 17. He then played from 1967 to 1969 for the senior team. For the senior side he started off as a ‘prop’ and later played as a third-row forward.Some of his team mates in his three years of Trinity rugby whom I can remember are Ajith Abeyratne, Shafie Jainudeen,J.K. Furlong, Irwin Howie, Tikiri Marambe, Ajith Kobbekkduwa, Gamini Udugama, Mohan Balasuriya, Alex Lazarus, Jadi Dissanayake, S.B. Madawela, Mohan Samarakoon, Y.S. Ping, Palitha Sam Samarasekara, B. ShanhiKumar, N.T.B. Dissanayake, Stephen Paul, Anil Siriwardena, Mahendra Talwatte, Ranjan Nadarajah, Rafi Ismail, Mark Sunderalingam , Prince Nayagam. Dudley Dissanayake, M. Affif, Gogi Tillakaratne,

Izi was awarded colours in 1967 and the ‘Lion’ in1969. As a schoolboy in 1969 along with Shafie Jainudeen and Fredrick Prins,he was invited to play for the Kandy Sports Club in the Clifford Cup knock-out that year, they entered the final after 15years led by Gen. Denzil Kobbekkduwa where they lost to CR and FC 6-12. He also played for the Combined Schools team.

Then he crossed over to Kandy Rugby Football Club and lled Kandy RFC. In 1973 when Kandy Sports Club and Kandy RFC amalgamated, he rejoined Kandy Sports Club and led the side in 1975 during the Presidency of late E.W. Balasuriya. He was a a fine player and a good leader. He was in the 1974 Sri Lanka pool but had to pull out due to his long standing knee-injury that put a halt to his rugby at national level. From Kandy SportsClub he took up planting and joined Uva Gymkhana Club, Dimbulla ACC and Dickoya MCC also played and for the Up Country.

After chucking up planting, her eturned to Kandy Sports Club and became a committee member, Secretary and was the chief organizer of the Singer-SriLankan Airlines International Rugby Sevens for ten years. He also became Secretary of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union and president and secretary of the Central Provience Rugby Football Union. He coached St.Anthony’s College, Kandy SC,Kandy Womens team His coaching style was said to involve quiet words with players and suggestions rather than orders. He was a strong believer in attacking rugby, with the attitude that if a team had possession of the ball it should be able to attack, regardless of the position on the field.He also handled the whistle.

His wife Sithy gave him the fullest support during his playing days , then his Harris Omar, like his father played forTrinity College first. While at school,he played for Kandy Sports Club and was one of the finest third-row forwards. He led the Kandy Sports Club team in 1999. It was under his leadership and Priyantha Ekanayake’s coaching that they won the Inter-Club Sevens for the first time by beating CRand FC 12-5 in the final. Harris also led the Sri Lanka team at the Asiad. After he led the Sri Lanka team, he hung up his boots and pursued higher studies. He was also served on the executive committee of the SLRFU.

Dimuth Indeepa Samaraweera (D.S. Senanayake College) drew his game with Vinuda Shenal Gunathilake (Royal College) to remain on 4 ½ points to lead the Group Y of the Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand Prix 2020 after the half way mark. Dimuth is having a clear gap of one point against Vinuda Shenal and Lalindu Sathmina (Isipathana College) who are tied for the 2nd place with 3 ½ points.

Maleesha Savindu Weeratunge of DS Senanayake Vidyalaya lost his last round again being in 3 points and it has become very competitive in the Group X since there are four players tied for the 1st spot with 3 points out of five games. Pesandu Liyanage (DS Senanayake College), Senuka Ahangama (DS Senanayake College) and Nabil Nazar (Gateway College) have tied with Malisha after they scored wins against Brijesh Saravanabhavan (Gateway College), Malisha and D.D.L.N. Dandeniya (Maliyadeva College) respectively.

The Inaugural Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand Prix 2020 started at the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka on Saturday, the 7th of August 2020 and will progress till 18th August 2020. The event, which is conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka with a Rs. 55,000/= prize money will be held on 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th at the CFSL HQ, Nugegoda with health guidelines given by the Sports Ministry.

The event is scheduled in a new format with 20 leading under 14 Chess players in Sri Lanka. The 20 players are divided in to two groups with equal strength. So two ten players round robin (9 rounds) events are played on 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th of August 2020. Then the Champion and the runner up in the groups will play a knock out as X winner Vs Y Runner Up, Y winner with X runner up as semifinals and then the finals between the winners. The knock out stage, each match will have two games with different colours and tie breaks will be two games with rapid play in two colours followed by two blitz games and still tied, a sudden death game.

The Dharga Town Red Star Sports Club created yet another upset by edging out the Saunders Sport Club two goals to one in their inter-club soccer tournament played for the “Vantage FFSL President’s Cup” at Race Course Grounds, yesterday.

Saunders SC, one of the top contenders for this title, have to blame themselves for their downfall after missing several scoring opportunities, including a sitter fluffing a penalty kick offered to them after rival player Mohamed Ajmeer was penalized for dangerous play, which Sundaraj Niresh’s kick went astray.

Both teams fought hard and made some teasing moves by attacking the rival defences. Both goalkeepers put up a splendid performance in saving these power-packed kicks that could have easily changed the complexion of the game.

After 27 minutes into the first half, with some outstanding soccer skills, the Colombo club lads got a golden opportunity to break the deadlock which Saunder Niresh made a mockery out of. But ten minutes later, Red Star accelerated their pace and created inroads to impose pressure on their rivals' defences. Ogudugu Ismaila Abumere scored their first goal when the midfielder made a well-measured cross-kick, which Abumere’s left-footed kick bisected the Saunders goalie to put an initial scoring on the board, which stood unchanged until the lemons. After the turnaround, it was a ding-dong battle played for supremacy. The Saunders players got into rhythm quietly by executing a game plan. But some solid defence by their rivals prevented them from scoring.

Sunderaj Niresh, who failed with a penalty before, made no mistake this time with a free kick offered to them 30 metres from the goal area, after a Red Star striker was penalised for dangerous play to make the score line 1 all.

After some anxious moments, Centre Forward Basith Ameer sealed the game for the winners, scoring off a pass sent from mid-field. Meanwhile, in the other game Police Sports defeted Ratnam Sports Club by 4 goals to 2.

Defenders Sports Club (Sri Lanka Army) playing their first game of the Vantage FFSL Presidents Cup match performed well to outplay Super Sun Sports Club from Beruwala four goals to one at the Sugathadasa Stadium, yesterday. They led 2-1 at the halfway mark.

Defenders SC opened the scoring in the 21st minute when M.A.A. Rahuman netted in the first for his team to get to the most needed lead. Though they got to the lead Beruwala lads went on to play tough soccer hoping to get the equalizer soon but their efforts were thwarted by the Defenders’ defense line. Eight minutes later it was H.D.M. de Silva increased the lead to two-nil.

There onwards it was a real game to watch as the Beruwala lads came out everything they had in store by penetrating the defense line on many occasions but failed to achieve success through their efforts. Lemons were taken with Defenders SC leading by 2-0.

The second session began with both sides playing good soccer though the crowds were not present to cheer these payers for top performances. Five minutes into this session Defenders’ SC’s foreign player Moses Ochuko Frank shot the third goal for his side making things more difficult for the fighting Beruwala team. Both teams went on the attack with Defenders trying to extend their lead while Super Sun players tried everything they had to score goals. This time too they failed to achieve success in all their attempts.

The game continued with a good display of soccer for further 67 minutes with scoring done by any team. R.S. Rajawasam receiving a good pass made no mistake to add another goal for his side taking the lead to 4-0.

Just two minutes away from the final blow referee found a Defenders’ player was penalized for rough play inside the danger area and the penalty was given to Super Sun SC. Here too it was the foreign player of Super Sun SC N. Chukwuka Michael who slammed in the consolation goal for Beruwala team bringing the final score to read as 4-1.

During the second session of play, the Beruwala team did four changes while Defenders SC made two changes. The referee had to show the Yellow card twice to Defenders SC players.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has announced the cancellation of four Asian events last week due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cancellation of the tournaments also directly will affect the leading Sri Lankan shuttlers in their bid to improve their world rankings. Niluka Karunaratne, Dinuka Karunaratne (younger brother of Niluka), promising doubles pair Buwaneka Gunatilleka and Sachin Dias from the men’s events while Thilini Hendahewa and Kavidi Sirimannage the top women doubles pair were also looking to take part in more International tournaments to improve their world rankings. Niluka is world-ranked 114(last February). He emerged runner-up in the Uganda International tournament but lost to Hungarian shuttler in the final, which was Niluka’s last International event in 2020.

Niluka the most experienced Sri Lankan shuttler has already taken part in 2012 London and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Olympics is expecting to take part in his third in a row while Dinuka who is the present National champion is also trying to get his maiden Olympic chance in Tokyo Olympics. Earlier former National champion Thilini Jayasinghe created history by taking part in two consecutive Olympics.

After consultation with the individual hosts, the BWF was forced to dismiss the Yonex Taipei Open from September 1 to 6, as well as the Korea Open in Incheon from September 8 to 13. Furthermore, the Victor China Open in Changzhou from September 15 to 20 and the Daihatsu Yonex Japan Open in Tokyo from September 22 to 27 will not go ahead either.

According to the BWF Secretary Thomas Lund, “These decisions to cancel tournaments are made in the best interest of the health of the players, spectators, volunteers and Member Associations," He also added.

"We are deeply disappointed to have to cancel tournaments, but feel that the well-being of everyone involved is most important at this time."

"This is the first time the Japan Open Badminton tournament has been cancelled in history. Most of the leading shuttlers normally take part in this Japan tournament to improve their world ranking."

Meanwhile, the BWF will continue to adjust to changes to ensure any badminton activity 100 percent complies with the rules and regulations of the World Health Organization, local health.

Sri Lanka Badminton also looking to conduct domestic tournaments after the COVID-19 pandemic / They already commence their National pool training.

Kusal Mendis skipper of CCC made an unbeaten ton against Ragama CC on the opening day of the Super 8 round in the SLC Major League Tier ‘A’ Cricket tournament 2019/2020 yesterday.

Kusal Mendis was first centenarian of the Super 8 rounds. He scored unbeaten 132 runs in 213 balls with 18 boundaries against Ragama CC at MCG Katunayake. Kusal Mendis and Ashan Priyanjana made 122 runs stand for 3rd wicket partnership.

Chanaka Ruwansiri, skipper of Lankan CC scored 124 runs in 134 balls with 4 boundaries and 9 sixes against Negombo CC in the Plate match at De Soysa stadium in Moratuwa. Lakshitha Rasanjana of Negombo CC took 5 wickets for 85 runs against Lankan CC. Sachithra Senanayake (SSC) made 81 runs agiants Tamil Union C & AC.

All matches will continue today (11) for day two.

Day One Scores:

Super Eight

* At MCG Katunayake. CCC: 353/4 (82) (Kusal Mendis 132 n.o., Minod Bhanuka 88, Ashan Priyanjan 58, Wanindu Hasaranga 51 n.o., Binura Fernando 2/35) vs Ragama CC

* At SSC. Army CC: 236/9 (72) (Asela Gunaratne 50, Himasha Liyanage 46, Mahesh Kumara 41, Janith Silva 28 n.o., Dinesh Chandimal 19, Thulina Dilshan 14, Yasodha Mendis 12, Chathuranga Silva 10 n.o., Dilesh Gunarathna 4/35, Chathuranga De Silva 3/82) vs NCC:

* At CCC. Chilaw Marians CC: 195 (47.2) (Oshadha Fernando 42, Pulina Tharanga 40, Kasun Vidura 38, Thikshila De Silva 35, Romesh Buddhika 13, Asitha Fernando 12 n.o., Bhanuka Rajapaksa 3/26, Hashen Ramanayake 3/43, Duvindu Tillakaratne 3/54) BRC: 67/5 (23) (Deshan Dais 24, Lasith Lakshan 18, Nimesh Vimukthi 2/6, Thikshila de Silva 2/7)

Plate

* At NCC. SSC: 242/8 (71) (Sachithra Senanayake 81, Akash Senarathne 37, Sandun Weerakkody 35, Dasun Shanaka 35, Charith Asalanka 24, Dhammika Prasad 11 n.o., Suranga Lakmal 3/32, Pramod Madushan 2/53) vs Tamil Union C & AC

* At De Soysa stadium Moratuwa. Lankan CC: 270 (68.2) (Chanaka Ruwansiri 124, Lahiru Dilshan 43, Dunith Wellalage 37, Sawan Kankanamge 14, Keshan Wijerathne 13, Primosh Perera 10, Lakshitha Rasanjana 5/85, Upul Indrasiri 3/79) Negombo CC: 64/3 (13) (Ashen Silva 30 n.o., Dilshan Munaweera 12)

* At Colts. Moors SC: 239/7 (77.1) (Adeesha Thilanchana 53, Dinuka Dilshan 46, Ramesh Mendis 40, Ayana Siriwardhane 37 n.o., Nipun Karunanayake 27, Anuk Fernando 20, Lahiru Samarakoon 4/59, Dushan Hemantha 2/39) vs Badureliya CC - YK

Angelo Mathews gained momentum as he lashed an unbeaten half century to put Colts CC in a strong position against Saracens SC on the opening day of their SLC Major League Tier ‘A’ Inter-Clubs Cricket Super 8 match at the P. Sara Oval, yesterday.

Mathews struck 6 fours in compiling 80 off 128 balls.

Colts were put into bat after they lost the toss, breezed to 256 for 2 in 81 overs. The match was then called off early due to bad weather.

Skipper, Sadeera Samarawickrama, who had 41 runs off 113 balls (4 fours) and Avishka Fernando with 66 off 106 balls (3 fours and 2 sixes) shared an opening stand of 111. Santhush Gunathilake scored 60 runs, including 3 fours facing 143 balls batting at number three. Kasun was the only successful bowler as he took two wickets, capturing both skipper Sadeera and Avishka, leaving Gunathilake to resume the innings on the second day today (11), with an unbroken 142-run third wicket partnership with Mathews.

Chief Scores:

* At P. Sara Oval. Colts CC: 256/2 (81) (Angelo Mathews 80 n.o., Avishka Fernando 66, Santhush Gunathilaka 60 n.o., Sadeera Samarawickrama 41, Kasun Rajitha 2/65) vs Saracens CC

Manchester, Monday: Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq has insisted his side can "fight back" from their agonising defeat by England in time for the second Test starting on Thursday.

The tourists, following six months on the sidelines because of the coronavirus, were on course to go 1-0 up in the three-match series after dominating the majority of the first Test at Old Trafford.

But Pakistan were undone by a stand of 139 between Jos Buttler (75) and player-of-the-match Chris Woakes, who guided the hosts to a three-wicket win with 84 not out on Saturday.

Having played so well in a losing cause, fears have been expressed over Pakistan's morale.

Misbah, however, in a column published on the Pakistan Cricket Board's website, wrote. "It's easy to curse yourself when you've lost.

"But, we should remember that we were right on top until pretty much the last session of the game.

"We will do our best to come back in this series, which I really believe this team is capable of doing."

Pakistan opener Shan Masood made a Test-best 156 at Old Trafford, while leg-spinner Yasir Shah took eight wickets in the match.

Yet Pakistan failed to put the game completely beyond England's reach by being dismissed for just 169 in their second innings before, by Misbah's own admission, a degree of "panic" set in during Buttler and Woakes' match-changing partnership.

'Disappointment'

"Sure, we need to improve 10 to 15 percent and deal with pressure situations a little better but we shouldn't be mentally down," said Misbah.

"There is disappointment, of course, but we must not keep that feeling in our minds otherwise it will be difficult to come back but the team believes we can fight back," added the former captain.

Playing the series without spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic means Pakistan are denied the vocal support they usually enjoy in England. Misbah paid tribute to the way Buttler and Woakes "took the game away from us," but accepted a Pakistan side led by skipper Azhar Ali might have done more to stop them in their tracks.

"They counter-attacked well and there was a bit of inexperience -– and even panic –- in the team that cost us," he said.

"We still need to improve, of course, but overall we fought really well against a top team in our first international fixture for six months."

Pakistan quicks Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi and teenage rising star Naseem Shah all bowled well in Manchester.

There are concerns, though, the trio could be out on their feet if they feature throughout a series of three back-to-back Tests, as happened to some West Indies fast bowlers during their 2-1 defeat by England last month.

Misbah, however, said of Pakistan's pacemen: "They bowled a decent amount of overs but not too much so I don't think there are issues of fatigue at the moment.

"But let's see how everybody is feeling just before the match, how the conditions are and we will decide accordingly." Pakistan have not lost a Test series against England for 10 years. - AFP

All well that ends well. And it was really nice to read that the two protagonists for the Presidency of Sri Lanka Rugby Lasitha Gunaratne and Rizly Illyas smoke the peace pipe, iron out all differences that existed with Gunaratne finally allowing Illyas to head the SLR.

After cricket, the rugby Union and its sport is the most popular game in the country. It is played and conducted by top class gentlemen who have played the game clean and with great admiration. And importantly the Rugby Union's affairs has always been a shining example to other sports bodies.

For a long time there was some misunderstanding, mainly through lack of communication between Gunaratne and Illyas which led to a lot of ill feeling. But thankfully the dust has settled and Gunaratne who ran the SLR with great aplomb has finally decided to concede the top slot to Illyas. Like all games locally and internationally other than for cricket and football in England, every other country has shut its doors to sport owing to the dreaded Covid-19 and sportsmen and women and administrators are wondering when normalcy will return for them to have a ball.

The manner in which the administration of the SLRFU has been kept clean over the years and run by gentlemen of the highest class has always been an example to all other sports bodies who are at loggerheads at most times with Sri Lanka Cricket being the main culprits.

While saying a big than you to former Royalist Lasitha Gunaratne for continuing the good work of his predecessors and running the SLRFU maintaining its lofty traditions we say a big welcome to Rizly Illyas who will sit in the hot seat.

It is not going to be a smooth sailing scrum for Illyas. Like in all sports bodies there will be the disgruntled and frustrated members who will want to see the smooth scrum blown up for some infringement or the other.

But knowing Illyas and his honesty and efficiency he has the ability to sell dummies to his detractors, like the great Mohan Sahayam did on the playing field and get his opponents go the wrong way and score for the player, the game and the administration. Illyas has been in the rugby scrum for long and is aware of the ills that afflict it and with his admirable and clever leadership and with a committee comprising some of the best brains in the business he should have a smooth run to score the all important tries for the player, game and the administration.

Illyas has been Gunaratne’s deputy for two years and supported him in every endeavour. In paying Ilyas a compliment this is what Gunaratne says: ‘Being my deputy for two years, he is well aware of the SLR financial situation and our national team’s performance ,both men and women’s and all other development activities we have planned.

‘It is good that somebody in the system is taking over from me. I wish him all the very best and will be there to provide any support’. We wish Illyas all the best and may he bring the game back alive and kicking and may all things in the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union be an example to all other sports bodies in the country.

IPL back on the pitch

The Indian Premier League Cricket Tournament that every cricketer is craving for and looking forward to play in and earn bags full of money is likely to be played in September 19 and the final on November 10 in the United Arab Emirates.

The IPL that attracts the cream of cricketers from other countries and is usually worked off in India in the beginning of the year had to be put off much to the disappointment of all concerned owing to the dreaded Covid-19. It was unbearable to the Indian Cricket Board the great organizers, officials, the players, coaches and all concerned when it was earlier regrettably announced that the IPL will not be called ‘play’ this year.

Many countries showed interest and wanted to host the tournament. But with airports shut and a problem in flying in the players and above all looking after their health and the many tests to be done and having them quarantined for a period was too much of a dangerous burden and so it looked as though this year’s tournament would be a non starter which disappointed all.

But now comes the good tidings that the UAE has thrown caution to the winds and taken on the challenge much to the joy of all. According to a statement after a video meeting from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah the IPL Governing Council decided to stage the tournament in the United Arab Emirates and the matches will be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi subject to the necessary clearance from the government of India.

The statement further stated that the governing council discussed health procedures for eight teams but did not say whether the players would have to undergo quarantine in the UAE before the tournament starts.

Anyway it is the wish and hope of all that the much looked forward to tournament will be finally played bringing joy to all.

erodrigopulle@mail.com

Kandy’s M.A.M. Ashroff is a former field hockey player who played as a defender and midfielder and a knowled geable coach. He was a good player during his playing days for the school and club and was very popular in hockey circles. As a coach he has produced many women players to represent the country at hockey and helped in coaching to win nearly 200 championship trophies at various levels in his 30 years of hockey coaching. He attended St. Sylvester’s College where he played in all age groups under 14, 17 and 20.. He was named best player in hockey at school. He was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame After leaving school he played for Young Stars SC and Kandy District which was a major force at hockey in Kandy during his playing days.

In1991 Seetha Devi Balika Vidyalaya's then principal Hema Kumari Wijetunga introduced hockey to the school and she approached Ashroff who readily agreed to coach them From the day he took over till today he has helped to win many tournaments. Ashroff was the first to be named a full-time coach of this school .He didn’t stop at just enrolling himself in, he was a regular face in the stands in major tournaments where this school team played and made notes of the opposition teams, a quality that made him to put this school on the correct path in the game of hockey, today they are a top hockey playing school.

His uncle I.M. Anver was a top class hockey coach, who knew how to bring up a player to high level, and he is the one who first coached him and made him to make hockey an interesting sport. Today it is his job, and also earned a good name as a player and coach, mainly due to his uncle’s good work.

He has coached the Navy team for several years and they have been the undisputed champions winning almost most of the tournaments they participated. He has also coached the Defence Services women's hockey team which earlier won the Women's Hockey Nationals. The Seetha Devi BV and Seetha Devi SC team coached by him won many tournaments both locally and overseas.

The year of 2012 was such a tremendous success for him that 15 of his pupils were in the Sri Lanka Women’s squad at the Asian Hockey Cup championship held in Singapore. The players were Chathurika Wijesuriya, Madura Dharmaratne, Sandhya Dayananda, Jeewanthika Keerthiratne, Darshani Herath, Maneesha Dissanayake, Geethani Abeyratne, Pradeepa Nandasena, Geethika Nandasena,Nirmani de Silva, Harshani Wickremesinghe, Madhushani Jayanetti, Harshani Kumari, Charmaine Jones, Dilmi Dilani Kumari, Nadeeka Kumari, LakminiWijesundera, He also coached the Sri Lanka women’s team for the First Asian International challenge Trophy in which Sri Lanka won the silver medal.

On the administration side he has been the Secretary and Vice President of the Kandy District HA and at present too he is the secretary. He has been the main man in the organizing part of the popular Seetha Devi hockey Sevens for nearly 25 years. He has also coached the Central Province women’s hockey team and the Kandy schools hockey team. He has been coachingTrinitians, Navy women's team and Seethadevi B.V for 30 years. He was also appointed by the Kandy District Hockey as men’s and women’s coach, and he was considered as the “Godfather of Kandy Hockey coaching.

Fifth year coloursman, captain of the team, All rounder, right hand bat, right arm medium pace bowler, middle order bat and Sri Lanka under 19 cricketer Liyanage Naveen Nirmal Fernando bid adieu to his Alma Mater Maris Stella College, Negombo after a very successful cricket career.

He commenced his schooling from Maris Stella and initially he attended the School Cricket Academy the cradle for several top notch Maristonian Cricketers and at the beginning he came under Mr. Dinesh. In 2012 he was selected to the under 13 Division Three Team and in his first year itself he passed the 300 run mark with two fifties and claimed 38 wickets with three five wicket hauls. In the following year he scored 202 runs and captured 22 wickets.

With these performances under his belt he was a unanimous choice for the Under 15 Division One Team and he was the Vice Captain and he came under Dishan Chaminda and scored 290 runs and bagged 22 wickets. He was selected for the under 15 pool of 20 players for the Malaysian tour and due to this he could not play for the Prima Cup. But any how he got an opportunity to play in three matches for the Western Province North Outer and he was in the 20 member pool too.

In the under 17 tournament his coach was Anil Gunasinghe and his first year he got 23 scalps and 220 runs and in his second year he scored 180 runs and claimed 28 wickets with one five wicket haul.

When he was in the under 15 second year he was selected to the first eleven team and he was the “Baby of the Team” and he played in few matches. In his second year he played in five matches and got 120 runs and five wickets. Then in the 2016/17 season he scored 220 runs and captured 42 wickets and in the following year he claimed 20 wickets and in 2018/19 in 6 matches he took 28 wickets and scored 120 runs. In the recently concluded season he captained the team and his deputy was Thilina Perera and Naveen scored 428 runs including three fifties and captured 31 wickets. He could not play several school matches due to Sri Lanka under 19 cricket commitments.

He was selected to the Dambulla Team in the Super Provincial tournament and as an under 19 Sri Lanka player he played against the touring Indian, Pakistan and Bangladesh teams and for the Asia Cup he toured Bangladesh. Also he toured West Indies and there he played against England. Principal Reverend Brother Michael and Master in Charge of Cricket Minol Sanjeewa were always supportive for his success.

The Sri Lanka National Chess team failed to enter the Group 2 level of the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad last Sunday and finally finished in fifth place , when they lost to Botswana 1 -5 in the last round of Group two matches . The Sri Lanka team was playing well by scoring wins against even number one , International Cripple Association team and strong Tajikistan Team in earlier rounds to get a good start.

But they could not overcome strong Portugal and Scotland teams in the round 2 and round 8. They drew with the UAE National Chess Team as well. Sri Lankas experienced Women International Master(WIM) Sachini Ranasinghe was the individual best to score 5 points out of 6 games while Devnethmi Dahampriya also scored 5 points out of 8 Games

Sri Lanka beat Chinese Taipei 4.5 – 1.5 in the 1st round, lost to Scotland 2.5 – 3.5 in 2nd round. Sri Lanka got a walk over from Nigeria 6 -0 in 3rd round, beat Tajikistan 4-2 in the 4th round, drew with UAE in the

5th round 3-3, beat Angola 4-2 in the 6th round, beat IPCA 4-2 in the 7th round, lost to Portugal 2.5- 1.5 in the 8th round and lost to Botswana 1- 5 in the last and final round to score 11 match points which placed them in 5th place in the group. Portugal, IPCA and Scotland were placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the pool B, and advanced to level II which will start on Friday, the 14th of August 2020.

Niyaz Majeed, an old boy of St.Anthony’s College,Katugastota was an International Weightlifter and a fine rugby player who captained the first Kandy Lake Club team. His contemporaries were Didacus de Almeida, ​Gavin Stevens, Maurice Perera, Alex Lazarus, Farouk Dole, and Maurice Windus to name a few. At School he played Tennis, Rugby and Basketball besides taking part in Boxing & Karate.

Majeed said that Covid – 19 epidemic is well controlled in Sri Lanka due to the great efforts of the Government, Health Services and Armed Forces.

He represented Sri Lanka in Weightlifting at two Asian Games along with S.A. Wijewickrema,Mahesh Sabaratnam and Dr.G.E.A. de Kroos in 1965 in Bejing, China and in Cambodia in 1966. Packeer Ali accompanied them as Coach.

When Majeed Captained the Rugby team of Kandy Lake Club, they beat Havelocks SC in Colombo and Kandy SC and proved to be tough opponents to the other Clubs in the premier league.

After a couple of years they emerged with Kandy Sports Club and Niyaz Majeed joined Kandy SC and represented the Country against Bosuns and also Up-country in the Annual Capper Cup match against Low Country for seven years as a flanker. In 2008, the Kandy District Sports Develoopment Foundation selected the outstanding sportsmen & sportswomen and selected Niyaz Majeed for Weightlifting, Arjuna Ranatunge for Cricket, Daya Jayasundera for Rugby, G.A.S. Gunasinghe for Boxing, T.M.Amidon for Soccer and B.D.J. Selfa for Softball Cricket etc. and all of them received Mementos for their performances.

Majeed booked his place in the Sri Lanka Weightlifting team (then Ceylon) when he bettered three Sri Lanka records at the national Championships held at the University of Peradeniya competing in the middle weight class in the 1960s.

Altogether he held 11 National records in weightlifting. When he was a student at St.Anthony’s College,Kandy, he used to win the English Prize in every Class. 

A superb second half rally by Colombo Football Club(CFC) strikers guided them to outsmart Sri Lanka Transport Board Sports Club (SLTBSC) by three goals to nil in their inter club Football encounter played for the inaugural “Vantage FFSL President’s Cup” at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

After a barren first half where both side failed to make an impact, the CFC strikers ran circles in the rival defense, which ultimately proved enabled them to score three spectacular goals.

CFC with a mix of youth and experienced players had a scrappy first half. They were missed out several opportunities offered to them and failed to capitalize on them. Overall on play statistics CFC maintained territory and had a swift control of the game.

On the other hand, their rivals had a dismal performance on the field. They simply didn’t play according to a plan and played in patches. They were completely mesmerized by their rival players in the second half which was completely dominated by CFC.

Zawran Johar who was instrumental in scoring two of CFC goals played a pivotal role in playing up and down, at the time of attack while supporting the defense when it is needed. He opened scoring just four

minutes into second half after obliging a long from his team mate from the midfield, which he fired a 30 meter left footer kick bisecting the rival defense, hoodwinking the goal keeper who was diving to his right.

Mohamed Fazal netted the second CFC goal after he collected a quick pass off a corner kick to sneak through the rivals defense to chip the ball in to nets. Zawaran who was in hunger of scoring, powered his way to seal the game in the 24th minute of the second half. His power packed kick which brushed aside of the opponent’s players to get into the goal.

Blue Eagles beat Crystal Palace

Meanwhile, in the second match Blue Eagles Sports Club beat Crystal Palace Football Club by 2 goals to 1 played at the same venue.

After holding the opponent's to 1-all at breather, the winners had to strive hard to earn this victory. Kavindu Ishan and Nethma Malshan scored for winners while Mohamed Zaid booted the goal for losers.

The incumbent Netball President Lakshmi Victoria and former Sports Ministry official Padma Baddewela will compet vie for the Presidency of the Netball Federation at the election which will be held on

August 31 at the Sport s Ministry.

The objections against the seven nominations were investigated by the election committee which rejected them and now elections will be held two days after the scheduled date on 29th August . The election committee has considered both parties evidence regarding the objections made by Government Service Netball President Trixie Nanayakkara and Shayama Cooray.

However Lakshmi Victoria the Present President of the Netball Federation is excepted to be elected for another term to develop Netball with her team of officials after the election. She is also the Vice President of the Asian Netball Federation.Victoria the able administrator who works as senior manager of People's Bank and Volunteer Lieutenant of the Sri Lanka Army was involved actively to develop netball in the last few years.

Meanwhile three officials Champa Gunawardena the Present Secretary, Shiromi Kuruppu and Vajira Pushpakumari will contest for the secretary post while T.M.G Kumarihami, and Vajira Pushpakumari will contest for the Vice President posts . Padmini Horanage is the only official to submit the nomination for the Treasurer post and she will be elected uncontested for this post .

Following are the nominations for the Netball Federation elections.

President – Lakshmi Victoria and Padma Beddewela

Vice President – T.M.P Kumarihami and Vajira Pushpakumari

Secretary – Champa Gunawardena, Shiromi Kuruppu, Vajira Pushpakumari

Asst Secretary- Sumitra Kumari Wanasinghe,Shayama Cooray,Himali Ediriweera

Treasurer – Padmini Horanage (uncontested)

Assit Treasurer- Hiranthi Senanayake, Himali Ediriweera

The world governing body for cycling, UCI in consultation with the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka and Lanka Sportreizen (LSR) has decided to cancel the Annual Sri Lanka T-Cup Cycle Tour 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The T-Cup Cycle Tour which is part of the Asia Tour, 2020 was scheduled to be held in May this year but now it has been removed from the UCI cycling calendar.

In fact this is the second successive year that the event has been cancelled as last year too, it was put off due to the Easter Sunday terror attacks in April.

Over 40 top foreign riders along with three local teams were set to participate in this event during this 325km route which included some of the popular tourist destinations like Pasikuda, Mahiyanganaya, Kandy and Negombo. However, with the Coronavirus situation showing a vast improvement in the country, the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka and the LSR are now working out on plans to conduct the event in early next year.

“We have already drawn out a strategy how to conduct the event next year and we hope to organise the meet in May, 2021,” a top official of the Cycling Federation told the Daily News yesterday.

The T-Cup Cycle Tour was inaugurated in 2017 with the aim of promoting tourism in the country and it included a total price tag of over US $25,000. George Luis Oconer, representing ‘Go For Gold Philippines’ Club won the event in the inaugural year while Nakajima Yasuharu of Kinan Cycling Team, Japan came first in 2018 race.