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Ken de Joodt reporting from Jaffna

What a splendid success, the senior national basketball tournament has been in Jaffna. It was 'the dream' of the national coach Ajith Kuruppu, to stage this tournament in Jaffna, from over a year ago. His dream has borne fruit, as he had it all fulfilled, with the positive approach of the President Brig. Lawrence Fernando of the SLBF (Sri Lanka Basketball Federation), who 'fired into action' and scored 'direct-hits' at all his targets - obtaining the Jaffna venue, the required finances and the basketball teams. Jaffna District Basketball Association, President, A. F. T. Alfred, in close association with the SLBF, worked out all the complicated details of travel, accommodation and the sanctions for staging the first ever SLBF tournament in Jaffna. He had great support of a committee, formed in order to organise the various aspects of the tournament, headed by Dhayabara, Lecturer at the University of Jaffna.

At the finals on Tuesday, a march past and school bands, heralded the chief guest, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, among many highly distinguished personalities, as well as from the clubs and schools in the area. During the intervals, between matches and at 'time-outs', the ever popular 'Basketball Song for Sri Lanka' composed by Brig. Lawrence Fernando, was played over and over again, to create a beautiful, joyful atmosphere.

* Women's final - Navy win

In the women's final, in a very close game which saw some exciting moments, ended with the Navy girls beating the Sri Lanka Schools by 69 points to 62 points. At half-time the scores were Navy 40 pts to SL Schools 30 pts. For Navy, Premila Fernando (14), Dhanushka Wijesinghe (13), Dhanushika and Inoka Sandamali (13) did well, while the Sri Lanka Schools had Shalika Gomes (22), Jeewani Wijerathna (12) and Sanduni Bollegala (10), scoring the main points.

* Men's final - Mercantile beat Police

Both men's teams played good and interesting basketball, which drew the applause of the large crowd present, from time to time. Mercantile had Gayan Meedeniya playing an outstanding game and scoring 25 points. Thiavakaran with 21 and Duke Rajapakse 14 points were the others consistent scorers. They amassed 99 points as against the Police score of 69 pts. For the Police B. Kumuduapperuma (21) and Dammika Hettiarachchi (13) scored best. The half-time scores were Mercantile 69 pts and Police 33 pts.

* Best players

From the women basketball players, the Best Player in the tournament was Dhanushika Vidanalage (L.A.V.D.) of the Navy. In the men's run-up, the Best Player was Shanthan Shanthakunekaran from Jaffna District Basketball Association. The winners received prestigious trophies, as well as large gift packs from the sponsors Unilevers, while the guest of honour, Sarath Ekanayake, Chief Minister of the Central Province made the presentations.

Various presentations were made to honour the famous past basketball players from Jaffna and Ignatius Canagarethnam, Vice President of the SLBF, Bro. Philip and K. G. Somadas were present on this historic occasion in Jaffna, to present the awards.

At the conclusion, Brig. Lawrence Fernando delivered an encouraging speech, promising that the SLBF will gift four basketball courts to Jaffna and will ensure that more tournaments are conducted in Jaffna, in the future. He also said that the message of 'peace through sports' will also be carried, to the South, from the brothers and sisters in the North. Soon after, the closing ceremony, the three flags, the National Flag of Sri Lanka and the two flags of the SLBF and JDBA, were lowered. Finally, with all standing to their feet, the national anthem of Sri Lanka was played bringing back happy memories of unity, to all present.

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