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| Tuesday, 9 September 2003 |
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Sports | |
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Fernandos think alike Comment by By Dr. Elmo Rodrigopulle The two irrepressible Fernandos, Minister Johnston and Manilal are on the same, happy and contended wave length. They are convinced and rightly so, that there is tremendous and exciting interest in the on-going Dialog sponsored Premier League Soccer Tourney for it to attract hooliganism. And hooliganism in sport or in football is not something that saw the light of the day yesterday, today or tomorrow. Hooliganism has been there from time immemorial. Soccer without doubt is the number one sport in the world today. Over 200 countries play this game which is chockful of interest, that it invariably leads to hooliganism. Wagering in whatever sport has been not the now thing, but been in existence from the time man began to bowl, kick or throw a ball. The heavier the wagering, more the violence. As the Fernandos say, hooliganism shows that there is interest in the game and that it signals development, progress and popularity. Johnston and Manilal who are renowned to work for the development and progress of sport, are determined to introduce foreigners to play in the next Dialog sponsored Premier League. The improvement in rugby today has been the introduction of foreigners. Top foreign players not only help the locals improve their play, but also infuses that toughness, mentally and physically which is a prerequisite for progress. Crowds rarely turned up to watch their heroes in action. But now with the foreigners showing the niceties of the game and adding that international flavour crowds are once again beginning to flood the rugby grounds. Dialog GSM one of the main sponsors of sport, who have now moved into soccer, must be enjoying the mileage that they are gaining for their product. Soccer is primarily labelled the common man's sport and Dialog must be applauded for teaming up to promote it. The Football Federation must be admired and encouraged for striving to keep the game alive fighting against all odds. They hardly have venues to conduct the many tournaments that they have lined up. The Government Services and the Echelon Square grounds are no more. The only ground that can control a crowd is the Sugathadasa Stadium. But to play a match there is too costly. All other venues where the Premier League matches are being played are open spaces and crowd control is not that easy. So instead of taking the Federation to task, it is time that sports lovers sympathise with the Federation and support and encourage them to continue promoting this wonderful sport that has brought enjoyment to the millions the world over. More strength to Johnston and Manilal in their dedicated endeavours. Dyson on the job John Dyson, the former Australian Test player who is now the Sri Lankan cricket coach will be endeavouring to see that the Aussie style of play, their approach and temperament rub off on the Lankans. Dyson regards the Lankan cricketers very high and it is hoped that the cricketers will respond, respect the coach and help him take our cricket to the status it once enjoyed. Dyson's first opponents will be the Englishmen led by Michael Vaughan. The English selectors will in the next couple of days meet to name the squad to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The English cricketing cupboard where young and promising talent are concerned is fairly bare. This was proved with the selectors having to fall back on old stagers such as Martin Bicknell, Graham Thrope and Alec Stewart to resurrect their falling standards. With the Lankan selectors meeting soon to pick the captains, we hope they will put to oblivion the two captains concept and stick to one. In this aspect bringing back former captain Sanath Jayasuriya will not be a bad idea. Able to continue playing up to the next World Cup in the West Indies, Jayasuriya, would have enjoyed his break from the captaincy, recharged his batteries and got back the urge and the urgency to have a second fling at captaincy. Why not give him another chance? Champion athletic coach Anthony Abeysinghe Last week was the Sir John Tarbart Cup athletic meet. This meet brings to mind the wonderful work done by the late coach Anthony Abeysinghe to help St. Joseph's College dominate this meet in the seventies. His efficient coaching brought out some top athletes in the Darley Road school. Unassuming and soft spoken, he let his deeds do the talking. Sadly the likes of Abeysinghe are now missing. Once I had written an article about the Josephian success in the now defunct Times of Ceylon attributing it to Abeysinghe. The moment it appeared in walked Abeysinghe with a gift tucked under his arms. I thought he was bringing a bottle of liquor, because the parcel looked that way and because those were the days. When he opened it, I was not only stunned but moved to tears. It was a wonderful statue of Our Lady. It is now nearly 30 years old I venerate it every day. That was a treasured gift. |
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