|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 10 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
A week-end of rugby upsets by Dinesh Weerawansa Sri Lanka's domestic inter-club rugby season is in full swing. With a few days away from the conclusion of the first round matches in the Caltex 'A' division league championship, the top teams are engaged in a hectic battle for the domestic rugby 'crown'. Last weekend was one of the most decisive ones in this year's league season. The unbeaten records of the two clubs which had an early advantage, ended due to some fast and open rugby by their opponents. Undisputed triple champions of the 2003 season Kandy Sports Club and the high-riding CH & FC were made to eat humble pie before the much looked forward to showdown between the two teams in a couple of weeks time. Last Saturday was D-day for two promising teams this season - CR & FC and Army Sports Club. The two teams may have looked ordinary, compared to the super power of Kandy Sports Club up to last Saturday. But the kings of local rugby, Kandy SC were brought down to earth by the fighting soldiers while CR crushed the much fancied CH. Incidentally, the two victorious teams are sponsored by Dialog GSM as part of a massive Rs. 4.5 million four-team sponsorship. Only a solitary point separated the two teams, but it was not an indication of the volume of pressure, under which the lads from the hill capital played. Full points should go to Army SC team for the true spirit they displayed in taking on a superior outfit like Kandy. It was the determination, guts and confidence, coupled with some natural village skills, that brought Army SC that dream 20-19 win over the triple champions Kandy at Galle Face. Having enjoyed a close lead at half time, Army SC were comfortably placed at 20-12 with only a few minutes away from the long whistle. Then came that much needed goal from Kandy to keep the spectators on the edge of their seats as the champions reduced the deficit to 19-20. Sri Lanka full back Nalaka Weerakkody would have become an instant hero, had he booted that injury time penalty neatly but it was one odd day on which lady luck did not smile with Kandy. Sri Lanka's IRB international referee, Dilroy Fernando controlled the game in an exemplary manner. Many rugby fans thought the key game between CR & FC and CH &FC would generate more excitement and opted for this match, instead of the Kandy-Army game, which too fell on the same day. But it was the other way around as Army SC provided all the thrills while CH cut a sorry figure against CR. The shock defeats suffered by Kandy SC and CH &FC has made the league championship wide open. CR's narrow 23-24 loss at the hands of Police SC a few weeks ago, made CH the main opponent of the defending champions for the league title. But the latest developments would see Kandy, CH and CR having better chances of winning the title as only a mere 6.6 points separate the three teams. It would be interesting to see how Kandy cope with the pressure in the two key games to come against CH and CR. If Kandy SC show the same weakness in playing under pressure, as they did against the soldiers, they cannot expect a comfortable living against CH and CR. Goodbye Kulawansa Exactly two weeks ago, we were talking of the scheduled retirements of top Sri Lankan athletes in the near future. We were discussing how Sri Lanka is going to fill the vacancies of the national athletic team after the retirement of our celebrated athletes. Now the first athlete in the star list of retirements has been announced. Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Sriyani Kulawansa Fonseka has decided to hang up her spikes. True that her retirement was somewhat overdue but lack of a strong contender to challenge her forced Kulawansa to extend her career at least by a couple of years. Even at the time of retirement, Kulawansa is still the best here in the women's 100m hurdles while the others competing in this event are nowhere near her. It was in 1987 that Kulawansa came into the limelight winning her first major domestic event at the Mahaweli Games in Bakamuna. It was Nandana Abeyratne, a former Royal classmate and a 'Daily News' colleague, who covered the Bakamuna Mahaweli Games some 17 years ago. Kulawansa's name was not heard much then and we were wondering why Abeyrate, who is presently an Air Force officer, was writing so much on her. But Abeyratne had rightly identified the talent of Kulawansa very early. She started off as a high jumper but shortly switched on to the 100m hurdles as her early coaches saw the potential of young Kulawansa. Since then, Kulawansa blossomed to be a star. She has been a regular gold medallist at the South Asian (SAF) Games, starting from Colombo 1991 and right up to Islamabad 2004, her last international meet. Even after being in the international arena for over one and a half decades, Kulawansa still looked good and won a gold medal at her final international event - the 9th South Asian Games in Pakistan last April. She made her Olympic debut in 1992 at Barcelona. She has represented Sri Lanka at IAAF World Championships and Asian Games but the most memorable milestone in Kulawansa's career was the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, where she won the silver medal in her pet event. Asked what she wants from the Government for her great achievement, Kulawansa did not demand for wealth or money. All she wanted was electricity for her rural village in Malsiripura in the Kurunegala District. She was able to illuminate those houses at Malsiripura to see smiling faces of her fellow villages. That would have given Kulawansa, even more satisfaction than winning a gold medal. What an example for present day athletes, who look for vehicles, houses and money even after their debut meet. The unfortunate side of Kulawansa's retirement is that Sri Lanka has not found anyone to rival her for the last 17 years! |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
