Lankan soccerites take on Malaysia today

Bernard PERERA

SOCCER: Sri Lanka’s soccerites are billed to appear on the field for the first time in the year 2007 when they confront the visiting Malaysian national team today in a friendly encounter at Sugathadasa stadium under lights.

This also happens to be the first time the newly elected President of the FFSL Hurley Silveira watched his team against an international opposition. The second game will be on Monday at 6 p.m. at the same venue.

The new President who chaired the press briefing last Tuesday said that these friendly games were arranged to give the national team the best exposure needed for them to face the forthcoming SAFF game to be held in Sri Lanka later this year.

He also said that the results of these two games will be considered for overall rankings. At present Sri Lanka is

 placed at 144th position and if we gain good results the opportunity is there for us to move ahead, said the president.

Adding further he said that the team is due to leave for Thailand and Korea to play more friendlies. These tours are arranged with the fullest co-operation of the two countries.

Jang Jung head coach who hails from Korea said that the team is in fine fettle and good results could be expected. These friendly games are sure to give most wanted exposure to our players. He also added that at present many new faces are in the squad and a permanent skipper is not appointed for the job.

Dudley Steinwall who led the national team and G. P. C. Karunaratne are the notable absentees from the squad. Jung said that more players could be added to the pool after a closer look at their performances. There is the possibility of players being put out of the squad and new men brought in.

Kasun Jayasuriya who was awarded footballer of the year award recently is tipped to lead the team for today’s game. Kasun has been a tower of strength with his brilliant striking force.

He is well combined with his club mate Chatura Maduranga who is the best partner for Kasun. E. B. Channa from Negombo Youth SC too join the front line with Kasun and Chatura. This trio is sure to deliver the goods for Sri Lanka.

S. D. Tillekeratne will man the goal, while the defenders Mohamed Hamsa who has lot experience will have to work hard with others in this part of the field. Azmeer Ali and Niroshan Abeysekera will have to feed the front liners from the mid-field well if Sri Lanka is to make a match of it.

With many new faces added to the team the spectators expect a classy game from this new combination.

Sri Lanka squad: M. D. Dhammika Senarath, Kasun Jayasuriya, Chathura Maduranga, W. A. L. Tharusha, Nadeeka Pushpakumara (Ratnam SC), M. H. M. Ramesh, Fazal Mohamed Fazuan (Blue Star SC), Chatura Gunaratne, M. D. Peiris, E. B. Channa, M. Azmeer Ali (Negombo Youth SC), Rohana Ruwanthilake, T. Suranda Bandara (Red Sun SC), Ruchira Priyankara Fernando (New Young SC), S. D. Thilakaratne, Niroshan Abeysekara (Renown SC), Mohamed Azwar (Java Lane SC), Chatura L. Samarasekara (Saunders SC), Sanjaya Pradeep Kumara (Police SC), R. T. G. Raheem (Air Force SC), M. N. M. Izadeen (Army SC), S. A. D. Nirantha Perera (Army SC).

Officials: Jan Jung (Head Coach), E. B. Anthony (Coach), D. Chandrasiri (Coach), Clement de Silva SSP (Manager), Wasantha Wickramasinghe ASP (Assistant Manager), S. N. P. K. Silva (Masseur).

Malaysia team squad: Mohamed Fadzli Saari (Selangor SC), Mohamed Syamsuri Mohamed Mustafa, Mohamed Nor Frahan Muhammad, Norfadzly Alias (Terengganu SC), Thirumurugan Veeran (Kedah SC), Norhafiz Zamani Misbah (Pahang SC), Fauzi Nan, Azlan Ismail (Perlis SC), Muhamad Kaironnisam Sahabuddin, Muhamad Nizarudin Yusof (UPB/My Team FC), Azizon Kadir, Rezal Zambery Yahya (NS Naza SC), Hardi Jaafar, Rudie Ramli (Telekom Melaka FC), Eddy Helmi Abdul Manan (Jahor FC), Mohd Hamzani Omar (Jahor Pasir Gudang SC), Ronny Harun (Sabah SC), Surendran s/o Rasiah (Peral SC).

Officials: Norizan Bakar (Head Coach), Abdul Nasir Yusof (Coach), Lim Chaun Chin (GK Trainer), S. Siyanasvaran (Physiotherapist), Mohamed Shazli Shail Mohd (Administrator), R. Sivakumar (Kitman).

Bandara to enter Guiness Book of Records

Chinthana WASALA

GUINESS RECORD: Sri Lankans are famous for setting up world records. Most of them have come from cricket, and some ambitious people have tried endurance sports and most of them have been successful in entering their names in the Guiness Book of World Records.

The latest Sri Lankan to set up a record hails from the remote village of Galkiriyagama H. M. S. H. Kumara

 Wijekoon Bandara who continuously ran a distance of 256.8 Kilometres within 24 hours.

The 25 year old Sailor who resides at Galkiriyagama, Aluthwewa in the Kekirawa Electorate, works at Sri Lanka Navy Pandukabaya Watch and is a fine Marathon runner. Earlier he was involved in cycling and later changed to this completely different kind of sport.

He was a great runner and was brilliant in running long distances and he was not one who get tired even though he ran for a long time. As his love for the game grew day by day, Bandara had his eyes on a Guiness Record held by American, Christopher Bregland who ran 247Km within 24 hours.

With the help of Sajith Jayalal, his coach from the School of Sports Medicine and colleagues at the Sri Lanka Nevy, he decided to take on the challenge.

He started his great attempt from Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura at the auspicious time of 05:57 on February 25. He ran through the Anuradhapura town area and then from Anuradhapura to Dambulla passing Galkiriyagama, Thirappane, Maradankadawala, Kekirawa, Dambulla, Ibbankatuwa, Pubbogama, Andiyagala, Meewewa, and Madatugama and used the same route to return to Anuradhapura and Completed his attempt at 05:57 p.m. on the following day.

At the completion of his run, he had covered 256.8 Kilometres within 24 hours with only having rest for two hours during the whole period.

He was judged by Donald Wijegunawardhana and Nimal Jayantha of the medical unit of Ministry of Sports as observers for Guiness Book of Records. Wijegunawardhana says that Wijekoon Bandara completed all the necessary requirements according to the rules and regulations of The Guinness World Records.

At the end of his attempt, a special ceremony was organised and the Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Chief Minister of North Central Province Berty Premalal Dissanayake and many others were present at Anuradhapura to greet him.

He was awarded a medal by the Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake and Minister Duminda Dissanayake presented him with a cash award.

“I am very grateful to all the Government and private organizations which offered their fullest co-operation in making this attempt successful” says Bandara.

“I am aiming for the Sri Lanka Marathon record which is set by S.L.B. Rosa” adds Bandara.

He can be contacted on the following address, 204/499, Aluthwewa, Galkiriyagama

Colombo Veterans FC to take on Maldives Lagoons SC

SOCCER: The formidable Colombo Veterans Football Club led by promoter of the club R. Purvanandran (Ragu) will take on Lagoons SC the champion team of Maldives captained by former Maldivian National ‘star’ M. Moosa in the over 40 football match to be played at the Sugathadasa Stadium today starting at 4 p.m.

Colombo Veteran FC team performances in Malaysia, Singapore and Chennai have been excellent.

Today’s game should provide top soccer fare as the home team possesses nine former national players.

Team: R. Puvanandran (Ragu), M. S. M. Faiz, M. U. M. Azmee, J. Santhikumar, T. A. Sudar, Jayasantha Perera, B. R. Preena, T. Z. M. Lukman, H. W. A. Udayasiri, Rienzie Wallace, Anton Silva, P. Liyanage, Lalith Weerasinghe, G. J. Premalal, M. A. Azeez, M. S. M. Badurdeen, Rumy Packerally, M. Rahim, Y. C. Park, M. M. Shafee.

M. S. M. Fais (Coach), Jaya Ratnam (Manager), M. Niyaz (Team coordinator). The winners will be presented the RAGU Challenge Trophy.

Suresh Subramaniam bows out gracefully

TENNIS: Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) will hold its AGM very soon. It is understood that Suresh Subramaniam the incumbent President has decided to step down after an exemplary tenure of office for five years.

During his five year tenure, Sri Lanka Tennis developed and excelled in all disciplines to what it is today. By restructuring and introducing professionalism into all areas of activities.

Subramaniam achieved the desired objectives. He was also successful in raising the much need funds and

 other resources to manage SLTA, keeping abreast with foreign associations - a feature that was unique through out his term as President.

In restructuring coaching, he conducted several ITF coaching programmes for local coaches and even brought down foreign coaches for long term commitments, especially to train our Davis Cup Teams and the talented youngsters, the impact of which was evident with the Davis Cup Team being promoted to Group III from Group IV and our Youngsters performing creditably at local and foreign competitions to the extent to be reckoned by the ATF and ITF who have well acknowledged in several International Forums and allocated more funds from their promotional Budgets.

The Mini Tennis Programme during Subramaniam’s tenure expanded and spread into ten regions with over 19000 kids participating. Appreciating the vast development over the relatively short time frame ITF and ATF highly commended and identified our mini tennis project as an example to other member states.

As President he was also committed to the promotion and development to wheelchair tennis in Sri Lanka. In addition to the training and the open tournaments programmed in the Tennis Calendar he introduced a junior event that was conducted in Kotte where the Sevana Lama Nivasa Orphans actively participated.

Mr. Subramaniam was further instrumental in sending a wheel chair tennis team for Para Olympic in Athens, and in sending a boy and a girl from Lama Nivasa to participate in a coaching camp in Indonesia. ITF has commended SLTA for developing wheel chair tennis to the level where our players now perform creditably at International tournaments.

Promotion and Development of Tennis in Colombo and in outstations during his tenure has been effective and has motivated several youngsters taking to the game. SLTA coaches and promoters employed in outstations have done creditably well.

Subramaniam also motivated and assisted other clubs to conduct ranking and other major tournaments thus inducing clubs to jointly part take in the Development Programme.

Being a man with vision Subramaniam realizing the importance of more hard courts boldly undertook the construction of Six Hard Courts at SLTA premises, the project which is now in progress, with adequate funds already been raised.

He was also in constant touch with the former national players who in turn directly or indirectly assisted in the development of the game.

In several instances, in keeping in line with international practices ex national players were rewarded and were given prominence at international tennis functions conducted by the SLTA.

Subramaniam was most fortunate to have an efficient and a committed General Committee. With such an asset, and with clubs and the ex national players rallying round him, the environment that prevailed throughout his tenure of five years was much ‘friendly’ and ideally conducive to the rapid development of the game to today’s levels.

Subramaniam has created history, in that after being elected as the President uncontested in 2002, he was re-elected uncontested for the second year in 2003.

In view of his exceptional performance and exemplary service to the game all member clubs and the general committee endorsed his continuation as the President uncontested for the 3rd, 4th and 5th year in succession - which speaks very well of his popularity and the level of confidence that the member clubs, the General Committee and, above all the Sports Ministry had in him.

Internationally too he was popular and his performance was well known to the ATF and the ITF who consistently monitor the development of the game in all member countries. In view of his immense contribution to tennis, ATF appointed him as the Secretary General of the Asian Tennis Federation.

Subramaniam was the proud recipient of the undermentioned prestigious international awards: (a) 2002 ATF award for achieving excellence in tennis, (b) 2003 ITF award for service to the game, (c) 2004 ATF Hardin Grant Award in recognition of his services to the game.

In his hey days Mr. Subramaniam was in the upper echelons and was the winner of national doubles, in 1982 and 1983, a member of Davis Cup pool, and the captain of the Davis Cup team in 2000 and has also represented Sri Lanka in several junior international tournaments.

With his experience, dedication and commitment to the game he managed SLTA excellently well and his achievements bear testimony to his competence as the President of SLTA.

Subramaniam! even though you step down and hand the reins of Presidency, Sri Lanka Tennis needs you and we sincerely hope that you will continue to serve and assist SLTA in every possible manner.

Air Vice Marshal P. M. Fernando (Rtd.), ex-President SLTA (19950-1997)