December 2019

HE’S GOT THE MIDAS TOUCH EVERYTHING TURNS TO GOLD December 2019

HE’S GOT THE MIDAS TOUCH EVERYTHING TURNS TO GOLD 41st Await the most prestigious school awards ceremony of the year.

Recognizing talent, inspiring greatness. CONTENTS Official Publication of the National Olympic Committee of December 2019

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President: Suresh Subramaniam Secretary General: Maxwell De Silva Immediate Past President: 04 Foreword by Suresh Subramaniam, Hemasiri Fernando dream 2028 -- Every Practice Session Vice-Presidents: Joseph Kenny Asanga Seneviratne is a Match Maj. General (retd) Palitha Fernando Senior DIG (retd) Sumith Edirisinghe Treasurer: Senaka Ranasinghe 06 NOC News Assistant Treasurer: Nishantha Jayasinghe Assistant Secretary: Chandana Liyanage 08 dillai’s painting handed over to Members: Chanaka Hashantha Fazil Hussain, Ajith Thamel, iOC President Dr. Thomas Bach Niluka Karunarathne

GOODSPORT 12 Sports in Sri Lanka entered a new Editor-in-Chief : S R Pathiravithana Susil Premalal plateau after 1991 IMAGES Thusith Wijedoru 16 South - 2019 Thishan Dissanayake Kandula Yatawara thepapare.com

18 The 13th SAG A journey of destiny for GRAPHICS/DESIGN Sri Lanka’s athletes Strategic Alliance (Pvt) Limited MARKETING Strategic Alliance (Pvt) Limited 100 Closing ceremony heralds a new beginning! PRINTING Quality Printers (Pvt) Limited

CONTACTS 106 Ethir’s vision for the future Please send your feedback to: GOODSPORT, Olympic House, 100/9F, Independence Avenue, 109 Olympic jumper Manjula Kumara bids Colombo 7, Sri Lanka Email: [email protected] adieu after 18 years [email protected] Tel: +94 11 2684420/21/22/23 Web: www.olympics.lk 112 mOdern Pentathlon Climbing the GOODSPORT is published by pyramid the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka. The articles published do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the 118 Educating coaches recipe for National Olympic Committee success! of Sri Lanka. No articles may be reproduced without the permission of the NOC Media and Communications 124 The last shot Department.

2 December FOREWORD of malfunctioning in the engine of competition has increased by Suresh Subramaniam sports development in our country.” several fold and the results are Though these exasperations were evident. in Sri Lanka is in its President, National Olympic Committee aired way back in 2011, the situation ascendancy. in 2018 when I took office was not Dream 2028 -- Every Practice Session is a Match far off. At the last Commonwealth For perfection, you must cover all Games in Brisbane, we had a few aspects of the challenge at hand was always curious to know Olympic silver medals arrived in “The bitter truth is that authorities weightlifting and medals, and I term it as “Every practice is a about the ascendance of Lanka’s Sri Lanka fifty years apart. Even have failed to find immediate but, the 2018 Asian Games once match; so every match will become Isport in general; may be because in a lesser scale like Asian Games reasons behind these miserable again was old Mother Hubbard’s – a practice”. This is my ‘Manthra’ for I initially had my roots in local tennis. and level, failures in the field of sports and we ended up with an empty basket. success in any field. At every local meet I used to see the achievements are declining in have not done anything to rectify Being a former National tennis flag waving fans hovering around alarming proportions. those mistakes or wrong doings player I am well used to serving The reality is that now in athletics the stadiums followed by their which have resulted in the said volleys and receiving them. Since I how many competitions do they bellowing on how someone broke Even my predecessor Hemasiri mediocre performances by our took over the reins of the NOC SL, face per season? – May be one or the existing national record of a Fernando during a serious athletes. I learned how the clock ticks and two the most. This is a sorry state of given event especially in the field of assertion on the decline of in which direction the athlete runs affairs that has to be addressed. athletics. There was indeed a sense performance of our athletes in “The current trend in merely when the track is laid out. I feel the volume of local competition of euphoria and everyone wanted the international arena lamented participating in international and must go up several fold while there to know when the next Olympic “Except in Cricket, Sri Lankan regional ‘games’ or ‘championships’ Now, I have got the assistance of should be international exposure at medal was forthcoming; yet, it used sportsmen and women have by our sportsmen and women Olympic Gold medallist Susanthika least once a month; while giving the to simmer to a whimper across failed to perform satisfactorily at will continue in the same manner Jayasinghe to act in the capacity opportunity for some of the leading of Director of High Performance in athletes to do their training overseas Photo: our shores. Nonetheless, overseas international and regional multi- unless swift and drastic action NOC SL President Suresh Sri Lanka’s achievements are few disciplined sports festivals for the is taken to arrest the aforesaid our development team and in turn in a systematic manner. Subramaniam with Abraham and far between, and even the two last so many years. situation and address these issues is looking to get further assistance I learned that an average Tolentino, President from personalities in the calibre of international athlete engages in at Philippines Olympic Tony Campbell; who churned the least at fifteen international meets Committee Lankan mare to a medal winning per year – this count to more than running machine. one competition every month.

This is one ploy that I think that I I presume this is ‘the volume of have circled to cast my point. The activity’ that we have to look at if next is, I have taken a cue from our we are to be competitive akin to own local tennis. The SLTA now the international demands and be has recognized that competition on par with the rest of the athletic inbound and outbound is the only community by at least year 2024 solution to our present predicament. in Paris. Now at the SLTA the volume of

Photo: Photo: With Mr Wong Po Kee MH, With Reza Salehi Amiri, President Deputy Secretary General of the National Olympic Olympic Committee Hong Kong Committee of Iran

Photo: Sri Lanka National Olympic Committee President Suresh Subramaniam met the President of the National Olympic Committee President Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, recently. Also in the picture is Secretary General Olympic Committee Maxwell de Silva

4 December December 5 Dr. Chula Netballer Mellony loses Three lasses off to Singapore for TT Senaratne her bout with Leukaemia Three young players were identified and given appointed to FIBA support and scholarships by the Foundation of Goodness and Medical me. Often I have heard good NOC SL with the assistance from Singapore National Olympic things being spoken of her and Council to go to Singapore. They will stay there for a short period Commission with players of that calibre I for further training. felt the game of netball in Sri Lanka was in safe hands.”

Tharjini was also of the view, that she would have been another player who could fit into the Australian professional circuit in the future just like Secretary General of Sri Lanka the opportunity that she got Federation, Dr. Chula purely owing to her height and Senaratne has been appointed Sometimes time is too little. Mellony came very close she to the Medical Commission Definitely for 17-year-old feels. All in all Mellony’s loss is Meeting of the titans of the FIBA international for Mellony Wijesinghe it was sadly a loss for the whole nation. the term of 2019-2023. It is Mr. Suresh Subramaniam - the President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and true. She was a youth national At her demise she was a a rare achievement to get an the Secretary General Mr. Maxwell de Silva met the International Olympic Committee's President player with a dazzling future; student of Visakha Vidyalaya, appointment into a professional Dr. Thomas Bach today in . The 24th Association of National Olympic Committee's General often spoken about bigger was earmarked as one of the commission of FIBA Assembly was held in Doha, Qatar. 204 National Olympic Committees and International Sport ascendancies, yet, tragically next big netball stars in the International from South Asia, Federation and over 1000 delegates took part in the assembly. it was all taken back from the country after representing especially in a sport dominated maker of all things itself. Sri Lanka at the 8th Netball by America and Europe. World Youth Cup back in Dr. Chula Senaratne works at NCDs future programme One of the brightest stars in the 2017, playing with and against the Colombo South Teaching netball horizon, she was still a players 4-5 years her senior. Hospital Kalubowila. His student at Visakha Vidyalaya Mellony was a part of the Basketball career spans around when she fell victim to the Sri Lanka Development Pool 40 yrs where half of this as a vicious cancer of leukaemia and before being named the vice- player and the other half as an this left the Sri Lankan netball captain of the Sri Lanka Youth administrator. community in shock at her Team back in June this year. The dominant Goal Shooter He is a Member of the demise. was a major part of Sri Lanka’s Central Board of South Asian successful campaign in the Basketball Association (SABA) It was said that Mellony had tournament where they finished and also serves in the Medical fallen ill during the All Island A power packed NOC SL team made a visit to to finalise 3rd behind Singapore and Committee of the National Schools Netball Championship arrangements to the 13th . On behalf of Sri Lanka Malaysia. Olympic Committee of Sri back in August. Team Mr. Maxwell de Silva, Secretary General of NOC Sri Lanka, Lanka. He was appointed as Mr. Asanga Seneviratne, Vice-President of NOC Sri Lanka, A star on the court as well as the Chef-de-Mission of the It was none other than the world Maj. Gen. (Retired), Dampath Fernando, Chef-de-Mission, Mr. Gamini in her studies, Mellony passed Sri Lankan Contingent at the renowned Sri Lankan netballer Jayasinghe, Deputy Chef-de-Mission, Mr. Dhammika Muthugala A four-day training course was Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia. Vice President of the her G.C.E. Ordinary Level Youth Olympic Games held in Tharjini Sivalingam who played Director General Sports, and Mr. I.P. Wijeratne Director of Sports, hosted by National Olympic and Sudan took part in the NOC SL Mr. Joseph Kenny was examination with flying colours Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2018. a heart-rending tribute about the Ministry of Sports, Roy Fernando Medical Unit, Ministry of Sports and Committee of Sri Lanka under course and the session was the chief guest at the closing last year and was studying for He was the Chairman of the loss of her team mate. “I was Accountant, Ministry of Sports, participated at the meeting the auspices of Olympic facilitated by the Programme ceremony and all participants A/L’s in the Bio stream with National Selection Committee so very much senior to her in solidarity at Olympic House, Director and one of the were conferred with aspirations of becoming a for Basketball for 7 years in the ranks as a Senior National Sri Lanka. Fourteen National Course Directors certification of participation. doctor in the future. the past, apart from his other Netball player, but, somehow I participants from , of the Olympic Council of positions on the Sri Lanka always felt a closeness - may be Basketball Federation. at 6’ 3” she was catching up on 6 December December 7 Photo: Photo: Painter Ms Dillai Joseph with Secretary General National NOC SL Secretary General Maxwell de Silva (Left) President NOC SL Suresh Subramaniam handing over ‘Reef painting’ to International Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, Maxwell de Silva Olympic Committee President Dr. Thomas Bach. Also in the picture is Pere Miro, Deputy Director General NOC relations

There the Lankan duo handed over a essence of this endeavour in my painting done by Sri Lankan artist Ms. painting. It is no longer sufficient to Dillai Joseph depicting environment ‘conserve’ coral reefs; rather it is to sustainability done under the theme go one step further, where pro-active ‘Give the reef another chance’. NOC human intervention is needed to Dillai’s Sri Lanka initiated this environmental restore the reefs. The painting depicts painting handed over to sustainability programme in Polhena a human hand giving out colour blobs on June 25, 2019. to bring back life to somewhat dead IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach corals (some parts of the coral is In that initiative, Joseph was also part white). The stance of the human hand he President of the National of the programme and took a very is also to have resemblance of the Olympic (NOC) of Sri Lanka serious responsibility of creating its famous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel T Mr. Suresh Subramaniam and information centre. Joseph designed ‘The creation’ and drawing a parallel, its Secretary General Mr Maxwell de all the visual materials and contents where we as humans have the ability Silva met the International Olympic for the centre to educate the public to give life back to coral reefs not Committee Chairman Dr. Thomas on the importance of the coral reefs. merely to stop at conservation. Bach during the 24th ANOC Annual Artist Dillai Joseph says, “I, as an I have tried to depict the bright colour Assembly in Doha, Qatar recently. artist, have tried to capture the scheme underwater and texturized the corals to give a better effect. Photo: The NOC Secretary General and President in conversation with Dr. Bach

8 December December 9 Photo: ‘Humans have the power to It is a very dear painting to me and I NOC SL give life back’ “I wish to gift this wanted to part with the original as I Secretary General Maxwell painting which is Acrylic on canvas believe this can inspire many beyond de Silva (60cmx80cm) to the International borders. We need to do this for the explaining the Olympic Committee as a token to generations to come so that they too ‘’Reef Painting” to Dr. Bach celebrate Olympic values and the will enjoy the planet and value it.” while NOC SL remembrance of this work done President Suresh in Sri Lanka with the NOC team Subramaniam looks on. to encourage how we can work together to bring back what was lost and it is not too late to keep trying.

10 December South Sports in Sri Lanka entered Asian a new plateau after 1991 Games By Susil Premalal

he South Asian Games (SAG) Therefore the Olympic Committee decided to stage the first ever South was held in Sri Lanka in 1991 of South Asian countries decided Asian Games in 1983. However, T and 2006. The first one was to have a regional competition hosts Bangladesh could not hold the fifth edition of the SAG Games similar to the South East Asian the inaugural event as planned that which was then known as the South Games which began in 1959 also in year because of political instability. Asian Federation (SAF) Games. It with the participation of 11 Then it was decided by the was transformed as the South Asian countries. South Asian Olympic Council to Games in 2006 for the first time and hold the first ever SAF Games in continues to this day. For the South Asian competition, Kathmandu, in 1984. It was there were seven countries namely held from September 17 to 23 with The idea behind having an exclusive Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, competitions being held for five event for South Asian countries Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and the sports - athletics, boxing, football, was because the performances of Maldives. Afghanistan joined the and weightlifting. the region sunk to a disappointing South Asian Games recently. low at the Asian Games held in It was in 1982 during a meeting held In the Nepal SAF Games Sri Lanka Bangkok, Thailand in 1978. in Dhaka, Bangladesh that it was came second overall winning 7

gold, 11 silver and 3 bronze medals. point in the history of sports in Swimmer Julian Bolling, athletes Sri Lanka. Simone Van Heer (100m), Ramani Mangalika (200m) and With the full backing of the Ruwan Chandratilleke (400m) state resources, it gave a fillip won individual gold medals. to sportsmen and women in the The men’s 4 x 400m relay team country generating a new sporting comprising Chandrathilleke, E.K.C. culture and patriotic feeling. Gunawardena, George Sunil Rodrigo This was the first multi-disciplined and Ranjith Aluvihare also bagged sporting event ever hosted in the gold medals. Sri Lanka.

The right to host the Games was Late President Ranasinghe selected according to alphabetical Premadasa ensured state patronage order thereafter. Originally it was for the Games taking a personal decided to hold the event annually interest to ensure the success of the but it was held once in two years event. thereafter. Former Sports Minister Nanda This is the third time that Mathew, former NOC chief late Roy Kathmandu hosted the Games with de Silva, NOC Secretary General the 13th edition of SAG being held Prema Pinnawela, Education from December 1 to 10. After 1984, Ministry’s Director of Sports Sunil the SAF Games was held in Nepal Jayaweera, Sports Ministry Deputy in 1999. Director Capt. Tilen Perera, and top level officials of all state institutions Sri Lanka hosted the Games for the were members of the higher first time in 1991 at the Sugathadasa organizing committee. Stadium. The Games was a turning

12 December December 13 colombo university

st joseph's college

colombo university

bolgoda lake

President Premadasa left no stone There were 10 sports when Sri Amarasekera, Damayanthi However, on the flip side of the coin, unturned to make the Games a Lanka hosted the SAF Games Darsha, Chinthaka Soysa, Sugath the success of 1991 SAF Games success looking into the needs in 1991. They were athletics, Tillekeratne, Rohan Pradeep, also spawned the evil menace of of participants and organizational basketball, boxing, football, rifle Ranga Wimalawansa and Olympic doping in sports especially athletics. aspects almost on a daily basis. shooting, swimming, table tennis, medallist Sri Lanka hosted the South Asian The area around and within the tennis, and weight lifting. emerged during this era. They Games for the second time in 2006 Sugathadasa Stadium complex Sri Lanka secured a total of 118 made gradual progression after after a gap of 15 years. However, Sri received a major facelift with the medals including 44 gold, 34 silver winning medals at the SAF Games Lanka could not repeat the success decision to host the Games in and 40 bronze medals. and went onto shine at the Asian they achieved when they staged the Sri Lanka. Athletic Championships, Asian games in Colombo for the first time The host nation emerged Games, Commonwealth Games, in 1991. Significantly in conjunction with the champions in athletics for the first and World Championships SAF Games, Colombo also hosted time in the history of the Games culminating with Susanthika There were a record 20 sporting the SAARC Summit which was a winning 15 gold medals as against Jayasinghe crowning herself with disciplines at the 10th edition of the resounding success with heads of 12 by India. Sri Lanka also became glory at the Olympics in Games held from August 18 to 25. the states of all the participating the first winner of the women’s 2000. Sri Lanka won a total of 178 medals countries gracing the occasion. volleyball gold medal defeating (37 gold, 63 silver and 78 bronze Even the international media which India in 1991. The resurgence of sports in Sri medals) but was placed third attended the event, endorsed Lanka after hosting the Games behind South Asian giants India the 1991 SAF Games as the best The momentum of success in 1991 also permeated to non- and Pakistan. Sri Lanka’s athletes ever organized sporting event achieved at the Colombo Games Olympic sports as Sri Lanka won won the most number of 33 medals in all spheres especially in the in 1991 continued until 2000 in the cricket World Cup in 1996, including 14 gold, 12 silver and 7 hospitability as a host nation. The all sporting disciplines especially while the netballers emerged Asian bronze medals with Susanthika countries which hosted the South athletics. Star athletes such as champions while winning laurels in Jayasinghe announcing her arrival Asian Games thereafter took the Sriyantha Dissanayake, Jayamini rugby football as well. by bagging a triple gold in the 100, Colombo Games as a yardstick Illeperuma, Ineka Cooray, 200 and 4 x 100m relay. and tried to emulate Sri Lanka Dhammika Menike, Sriyani thereafter. Kulawansha, Prasanna Sampath

14 December December 15 16 December December 17 The 13th SAG A journey of destiny for Sri Lanka’s athletes

By S.R. Pathiravithana

t’s a landlocked country on top of Asian Games which was held in the cities counts to around a quarter of the world’s a mountain range—the Himalayas. of Kathmandu, and Janakapur. population. IObviously the result would be wintry Thronged in this location were athletes conditions in December and heavy from the South Asian nations – Bhutan, Individually there were many winners, but clothing – your guess is right; we were Bangladesh, the Maldives, India, Pakistan, as for sports; the ultimate winner was talking about Nepal and the 13th South Sri Lanka and the hosts Nepal, which sport as a whole, because it displayed

18 December December 19 oneness and amity through individual enthusiasm of the Nepalese public Yes, They were a cut above the rest. and team sport, proving the subtle point said that they were there to make an May be had women’s marathoner Hiruni “Participation is the biggest achievement”. impression. Then after the first quarter Wijaratna had competition, she could have Medal tally wise the highest achievers of the competition it was the Nepalese been coaxed to run faster and broken were giants India whose athletes were athletes who were heading the table, while some records, but ironically even she did responsible for bringing home 173 India was charging their dynamo for the not know where her competition was – gold medals and a final tally of 311. latter half of the competition. Initially it was apparently nine minutes later. At the end Hosts Nepal made the maximum of a tussle between Sri Lanka and Pakistan of the race she was all in her wits may be home conditions ending up with a very for the third position. could have run to catch the bus home had impressive 51 gold medals in a tally of 206 she lived there in Nepal. medals. The final outcome was more or less predictable. Once, Sri Lanka with their Likewise golfer, Grace Yatawara too was However the most impressive full complement of athletes came out incomparable with her “Club Art” and performance came from islanders Sri with an all-out performance especially would have been more competitive with Lanka who ended up with 40 gold medals through event they finished more meaningful competition. The third 83 silver and 128 bronze medals by far with a memorable tally but, one still was Mathew Abeysinghe—the seven Gold the biggest haul by a collective effort in wonder should we go overboard with this wonder in swimming. Yet, the stark truth in a single sports gathering. Reason is the performance or should be vigilant and their success is that they all live and train Lankan athletes competed in somewhat make this the springboard for greater in the United States of America where alien conditions, considering the clime achievements and come in par with the sport is a different bar of reality. “There that they live in. Yet, competition is rest of the athletic world. you have to be good to be competitive.” competition and you must learn to play straight on any wicket. Making the narration in a positive manner Finally judoka Chamara Dharmawardena we must ask ourselves did we really has had the Olympic exposure and The games got under way with volleyball achieve in a broader sense of the word. the NOC SL has also given him many – men and women on November 29, It was more than a secret that India and opportunities to better himself and he but the games proper were flagged on Pakistan held back some of their prize obliged that by bringing home a rare December 1 at the Rangashala Stadium at horses in the stable? Did our own athletes gold. Dharmashala in Kathmandu. come out with exceptional personal achievements which could take them to As expected it was a roar of a success. the borderline of international maturity? The pomp and pageantry and the

20 December December 21 Athletics Dazzling Hiruni spurs Sri Lanka’s gold shower

he is petite and lithe and she in 2hrs 41 minutes and 24 seconds while more gold in , 800 men and sailed like the wind. It was still the lass from Nepal came in with a timing women, and 4x400 men and women relay. S morning in Dasharath Rangasala of 2hrs 50mts and 11 seconds. The men’s marathon runners disappointed. Tripureshwor when the crowd that Sri Lanka’s Pradeep Dhammika (2:28.31) thronged went agape with a woman in A beaming Hiruni looking just normal said: finished fifth while Sisira Kumara (2:29.32) rhythmic motion striding past the main “Only my feet are hurting a little and other was placed sixth while Nepal’s Kiran Singh gate of the stadium. than that I am okay. This is my first gold for won the gold medal (2:21.17). India’s my country and will promise there would Rashpal Singh (2:21.57) and Shre Singh At that point she was nearly nine minutes be many more. At the same time records (2:22.07) claimed the silver and bronze Photo: Marathoner Hiruni Wijayaratne ahead of her closest rival Pushpa Bha did not cross my mind at all; all what I medals respectively. leading her way to the SAG Gold of Nepal. There were no signs of fatigue wanted do is to bring home a gold medal.” and she looked as if she just has started Sprinters Aruna Darshana and Dilshi the 42km195metre course. Then after a Spurred by this omen the Lankan women Maheesha, hurdler Lakshika Sugandi victory lap the Lankan woman marathoner build its athletic castle, the athletic and triple jumper Hashini Prabodha won Hiruni Wijayaratne whizzed past the post contingent closed its curtains adding 5 gold medals, to put Sri Lanka back on

22 December December 23 Photo: Dilshi Kumarasingha

Photo: Legendary Olympic Silver Medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe admires Aruna Dharshana’s medal

the saddle in track and field events the runners to finish the race in among South Asian nations. 0.53.40 seconds. India’s Priya Habbanath won the silver medal Photo: Sri Lanka started off Day 5 with a finishing behind Dilshi at 0.54.31 Himasha wins his battle gold medal from Lakshika Sugandi, seconds, while Sahib Asra claimed who edged out India’s Aparna the bronze medal with a timing of Roy to win the Women’s 100m 0.54.38 seconds. Hurdles event. Lakshika won the gold medal with a timing of 0.13.68 Sri Lanka enjoyed another one-two seconds, with a quick run in the finish in the Women’s Triple Jump final few metres to push back Roy, event, as the favourite in the event who clocked 0.14.37 seconds, to and gold medal hope, Vidusha second place. Sri Lanka had the Lakshani was bettered by her possibility of claiming a top two compatriot Hashini Prabodha. She finish, but Ireshani Rajasinghe failed achieved 13.21 metres in her third to dominate over the Indian silver attempt, after failing twice, and the medalist, and claimed the bronze leap was sufficient to give her the medal clocking 0.14.18 seconds. gold medal, over Lakshani, who Sri Lanka won three back-to-back jumped 13.14 metres. Out of six gold medals in the Men’s 400m, jumpers, besides the two Lankan Women’s 400m and Women’s Triple jumpers, others failed to hit the Jump stealing the limelight, before 13metre mark. India’s Bharabi Roy, noon. Aruna Darshana, Sri Lanka’s who claimed the bronze medal, favourite and medal prospect, jumped 12.77 metres. made a perfect run to claim the Hurdler Roshan Dhammika and gold in the Men’s 400m final after triple jumper Safreen Ahmed added clocking 0.46.69 seconds, while the remaining two bronze medals Lakmal Priyantha followed in close for Sri Lanka taking the entire to claim the silver with the timing of count to nine from the fifth day 0.46.79 seconds, sealing a Lankan in athletics. Dhammika clocked dominance. India’s K. Jeevan won 0.14.42 seconds in the Men’s the bronze medal after finishing the 110m Hurdles to win the bronze run at 0.47.42 seconds. medal, finishing behind gold winner Muhammad Naeem of Pakistan Sri Lanka claimed another gold in (0.14.30sec) and India’s Surendhar the Women’s 400m final, with Dilshi Jayak (0.14.37sec) in a close finish. Photo: Maheesha dominating the rest of The SAG athletic contingent

24 December December 25 Safreen Ahmed gave Sri Lanka a – Pakistan (Sahib E. Asra, Aneela bronze medal in Men’s Triple Jump, Gulzab, Rajiha Ashiq, Najma Parveen) with a clearance of 15.95 metres, 3:41.74, Bronze – India (Priya which he achieved in his fifth attempt. Habbathan, Vijayakumari, Manisha He was bettered by India’s Karthik Kushwaji, Nancy) 3:41.81 Unnikri, who won the gold medal Men’s Javelin Throw: Arshad Photo: after clearing 16.47 metres and Nadeem (Pak) 86.29m (NMR), Silver – Roshan Dhammika Mohammed Salahudin, also of India, Shivpal Singh (Ind) 84.16m, Bronze – who claimed the silver with a jump of Sumedha Ranasinghe (SL) 74.97m. 16.36 metres. Photo: Aruna Dharshana and Men’s 400m: Gold - Aruna Darshana Lakmal Priyantha Then after Hiruni’s dazzle came the Men’s 800m: Gold – Indunil Herath (SL) 0.46.69, Silver – Lakmal (SL) 1:50.52, Silver – Mohammed Priyantha (SL) 0.46.79, K. Jeevan Afzal (Ind) 1:51.25, Bronze – Som (Ind) 0.47.42 Bahadur (Nep) 1:51.44 - Sri Lanka’s Rusiru Chathuranga finished fourth Women’s 400m: Gold - Dilshi 1:51.51. Maheesha (SL) 0.53.40, Silver – Priya Habbathan (Ind) 0.54.31, Bronze – Women’s 800m: Gold - Dilshi Sahib Asra (Pak) 0.54.38 Kumarasinghe (SL) 2:06.18, Silver – Gayanthika Abeyratne (SL) 2:08.52, Men’s 100m Hurdles: Gold – Bronze - Lily Das (Ind) 2:08.97 Muhammad Naeem (Pak) 0.14.30, Women’s Javelin Throw: Gold – Silver – Surendhar Jayak (Ind) Photo: Nadeesha Lekamge (SL) 55.02m, 0.14.37, Bronze – Roshan Dhammika Hiruni Wijayaratne Silver – (SL) (SL) 0.14.42 54.41m, Bronze – Kumari Sharmila (Ind) 53.63m Women’s 110m Hurdles: Gold – Lakshika Sugandi (SL) 0.13.68, Silver Men’s 4x400m: Gold - Sri Lanka – Aparna Roy (Ind) 0.14.13, Bronze – (Aruna Darshana, Senira Gunaratne, Ireshani Rajasinghe (SL) 0.14.18 Rajitha Rajakaruna, Lakmal Priyantha) 3:08.04, Silver – India Men’s Triple Jump: Gold – Karthik (Jeevan Karekopp, Santhosh Kumar, Unnikri (Ind) 16.47m (3), Silver – Angrej Singh, Jabir Madari) 3:08.21, Mohammed Salahudin (Ind) 16.36m Bronze – Pakistan (Umar Sadat, (2), Bronze – Safreen Ahmed (SL) Mehboob Ali, Abdul Mueed, Nokar 15.95m (5) Hussain) 3:08.24 Women’s Triple Jump: Gold – Hashini Women’s 4x400m: Gold – Sri Lanka Prabodha (SL) 13.21m, Silver – (Omaya Udayangani, Gayanthika Vidusha Lakshani (SL) 13.14m, Abeyratne, Kaushalya Madushani, Bronze – Bharabi Roy (Ind) 12.77m. Dilshi Kumarasinghe) 3:41.10, Silver

Photo: Sugandi Lakshika Photo: 26 December Waruna Lakshan December 27 Photo: Mathew Abeysinghe Swimming He’s got the Midas touch; everything turns to gold By S.R. Pathiravithana

epeating an astounding works and trains consciously with a certain performance akin to winning seven goal in mind rarely deviating from it. The Rgold medals in an International plus point in this endeavour is that he meet is rare and awe inspiring. When one belongs to a swimming family and that art does attain that feat it goes to prove what is a way of life. He swims because he was sort of international star he/she is and born to do it and other achievements that how that person’s metabolism ticks. come along with it are the fruits of his sweat.

Sri Lanka’s swimming star Mathew At the 13th SAG, competing under alien Abeysinghe is one such individual whose conditions compounded with real pitfalls metabolism works in that manner. He like an underdone swimming pool and

28 December December 29 Photo: Ramudi Samarakoon

insufficient training facilities; he stood out like a beacon and a cut above the rest; thus he proved that he is blessed with the Midas touch.

We started our little conversation asking Mathew about his impressions of the 13th SAG swimming, as he emulated his last SAG performance in India last time out. Mathew spelled out Photo: his impressions in this manner. He said: “I think the conditions Bhakthi Karunasena weren’t ideal, being Nepal naturally the altitude, the weather conditions and the pool not being ready played a vital role in the final outcome. I think me and the team we did our best with what we could; those were not perfect conditions. Yet, I am happy with the final result.” Photo: Ganga Senevirathne

Obviously the following question was ‘what’s next’? Mathew explained, “the next step for me is the Olympics and qualifying for it. That is going to be my target in life for the next eight months starting with a training camp in Hawaii. From there my Photo: The contingent coaches along with my father Manoj Abeysinghe we will plan out different meets that we are going to participate in. Some of those meets do have qualifiers, so we have to work towards that.”

Then in reply to our query on what is the status of our game at present Mathew Abeysinghe explained that he feels that swimming as a sport is in safe hands and the bar is constantly being raised. He said: “For this question my answer has always been, Sri Lanka swimming over the past few years has been improving. If you look at the national records – the national records between the years 2010 and 2019 it’s not the same. Photo: A lot of people in the SAG team looking out for Gold medals Aniqah Gafoor but failed only by a whisker. But, I think the team was extremely good and it’s a good omen for Sri Lanka swimming.”

Then GoodSport asked the question – after you, the Akalankas and Rahims-- does this mean that Lankan swimming possesses the necessary ingredients to move on at the present pace. Mathew said: “When I moved to Colombo in 2010 the national record for 50metre free style was 24.7secs done by Heshan Unamboowe who was considered really good at that time, now there at least 25-30 swimmers in Sri Lanka who could attain that feat. The National record at present is at 22:5 – 2.2 seconds in ten years is unheard of.”

Explaining the upsurge of Sri Lankan swimming Mathew said: “I think people like my dad Manoj do possess the talent to spot talent and develop them. My family moving to Sri Lanka played a big part in the improvement of Sri Lanka swimming; before, it was like a kind of stagnant where competition was concerned, but now with me and my brothers and some others setting the bar so high, the younger kids are also trying to achieve that and to get there and they have to work at it. As the level of the top Photo: end people like me and others get higher the others have to Sandu Savindi emulate us to keep with bar that is set.”

Photo: Mathew Abeysinghe

30 December December 31 Photo: P.G.H.C. Madusanka

Photo: M.A.S.U. Jayasingha

Taekwondo Photo: the catalyst N.I.S. Mendis

By S.R. Pathiravithana

y The 13th South Asian Games in as we are concerned this performance Besides, the gold by the end of the first Nepal well could be the catalyst as is the turning point of in day, the Lankan team were displaying 5 Bfar as Taekwondo is concerned in Sri Lanka, now it is up to us to make it silver and 5 bronze medals too.” one meaning than one. After two dry days work and become a regular feature all He feels that was the bar that they set in of medals, Taekwondo opened Sri Lanka’s programmes.” for the rest of the contest. At the same gold rush producing three in one day. The time all the players also reciprocated by other is that from rather a ‘nonentity’ pre- Alahakone explained as to how they giving their maximum to the cause. On game reception, the public as well as the broke the ice. He said: “In our very first the second day of events, he said our officialdom have taken a step back and outing we won a gold medal which was players finished with three medals in four begun to take notice of this discipline with brought home in the individual men’s outings with silver and two bronze. In the respect that is due. under 17-23 Poomsae event by talented third day of events Sri Lankan players had Ranuka Prabhath. That set our bar for the medals in all our matches including gold in Team manager Sampath Alahakone was entire game. Every Sri Lankan player who a fighting competition which was won by beaming after the event. He knew his followed Ranuka wanted to emulate that Chalinda Liyanage in the 62kgs and under boys and girls have backed the sport performance.” category. that they are a part of and have made it more meaningful to be a part of. He Alahakone added that this gold being “All these signs add up to a healthy future said: “Prior to our departure some of the Sri Lanka’s first at the games also had a for the game of Taekwondo in Sri Lanka. officials had doubts about how the game huge impact on the players and definitely We must make sure that we maximise the of Taekwondo is being run in Sri Lanka in they were pumped up. He added: “So awareness and edge that we have worked somewhat a critical tone, but they were much so by the end of the first day’s on. I am sure that our young players would the very people who then shouted their events Sri Lanka had three gold medals take this as a stepping stone for bigger voices hose singing all the hosannas in in their larder and they were the only ones deeds in the International arena. Besides praise of the achievement. Yet, as far who had gold under their belts by then. all their achievements also go into their individual international grading.” 32 December December 33 Photo: R.D.M.T. Jayaweera

Men’s 63 Kg Men’s 87 Kg Gold - Chalinda Liyanage Bronze - Charma Tharindu Photo: Men’s Individual Poomsae (17-23) Years Women’s 73 Kg Photo: R.A.D.N Rajapakse S.U.S.B. Wijewickrema Gold - Ranuka Prabhath Bronze - Sachitha Pramodini

Pair Poomsae (17-23) Years Men’s 87+ Kg Gold - Isuri Suhara Mendis Nammuni & Ranuka Prabhath Bronze - Balapatiyage Bless

Pair Poomsae (23-29) Years Men’s 74 Kg Men’s Team Poomsae 23 Years Above Bronze - Darshana Kumara Gold - Nishanka Jayasinghe, Lakshman Ilandarige, Krishantha Weerasinghe Ilangan Weeragedara Women’s 62 Kg Silver - Thilakshika Jayaweera & Nissanka Jayasinghe Bronze - Maneesha Samarajeewa

Men’s Individual Poomsae 29 Years Above Women’s 53 Kg Silver - Lakshman Ilandarige Bronze - Dasuana Nimesha Photo: Photo: Women’s Individual Poomsae (23-29) Years Women’s 73+ Kg N.I.S. Mendis M.P.D.R. Prabhath Silver - Thilakshika Jayaweera Bronze - Nuwanthi Lakmali

Men’s 54 Kg Women’s 46 Kg Silver - Anura Bandara Bronze - Ishara Piumali Samarakoon

Women’s 49 Kg Men’s 68 Kg Photo: Sliver - Irangani Pushpa Bronze - Tharanga Lakmal J.A. Nishshanka

Women’s Team Poomsae 23 Years Above Women’s Team Poomsae (17-23) Years Silver - Ranpatipura Dewage Madhavee, Thilakshika Bronze - Isuri Suhara Mendis Nammuni, Sanjeewi Jayaweera, Shalini Upekha Sithumini Bandara Udyogya Jayasinghe, Hashihni Chapa Madusanika Photo: I. Lakshman Wijewickrama, Dhanusha Nayanangani Rajapakse Pahalagedara Arachchige Women’s Individual Poomsae (17-23) Years Men’s Team Poomsae (17-23) Years Bronze - Isuri Suhara Mendis Nammuni Silver - Ranuka Prabhath Menik Pedi, Durayalage Amila Sahan Isuru, Nimesh Viranga Mallawa Thanthirige Women’s Individual Poomsae 29 Years Above Bronze - Gayathri Sandamali Men’s 58 Kg Bronze - Ramesh Jeewantha Thikarathna Men’s Individual Poomsae (23-29) Years Bronze - Nishshanka Jayasinghe Men’s 80 Kg Bronze - Suranga Dihan Pair Poomsae 29 Years Above Bronze - Laxman Ilandarige & Gayathri Mehenchiarachchige

Photo: I. Lakshman

Photo: I.W.K. Weerasinghe, I. Lakshman, J.A. Nishshanka 34 December December 35 Lankan Wrestlers take home 14 medals overall

.G. Ayomi Senaratne and W.M. Women’s overall: Men’s overall Deepika Weerabahu shone at Women’s 72 Kgs G.G. Ayomi Senaratne Men’s 92 Kgs Walpitage Salitha (Silver) G the 13th South Asian Games (GOLD) Men’s 79Kgs W.S. Fernando (Silver) Wrestling Championships by bringing Women’s 65kgs W.M. Deepika Weerabahu Men’s 74kgs W.M. Madushanka Wijesuriya home two gold medals at Janakapura, (GOLD) (Silver) Nepal. Women’s 76 Kgs Shanika Weerasinghe Men’s 70kgs K.K.G. Anil Munasinghe (Silver) (Silver) Besides the two gold, the Lankan women were able bag four other silver Women’s 68kgs R.A. Mala Rupasinghe Men’s 65kgs Chamara Weerasinghe (Silver) and a bronze making it a tally of seven (Silver) Men’s 57kgs Gayan Chathurangana (Silver) medals over all. Women’s 62Kgs M.W. Mahira Priyangani Men’s 61kgs Udara Fernando (Bronze) (Silver) In the men’s competition the male Women’s 50kgs S.P. Sriyakanthi Nirohashini competitors were behind the women’s (Silver) with no gold, but finished with seven Women’s 53Kgs Sanika Madushani (Bronze) Silver and a bronze tally of also seven medals.

36 December December 37 Photo: Weightlifting J.A.C. Lakmal Two gold for Lankan weightlifters at Pokhara

By S.R. Pathiravithana

n the mix of Sri Lanka international The weightlifting competition was sports, weightlifting is definitely a conducted in the city of Pokhara more than Imedal yielding exercise especially a hundred kilo metres away from the main when it comes to contests in the calibre city of Kathmandu. of Commonwealth Games and South Asian Games. Upon the return of the Lankan weightlifters GoodSport took time to share a narration In the , the on what transpired with co-lifter Thilanga Lankan weightlifters once again proved Palangasinghe; incidentally a silver their mettle by contributing to the medal winner at the games. He said: Lankan cause with eleven medals which “It started with the ladies 45kgs event consisted of two gold, eight silver and followed by men’s the 55kgs and 61kgs one bronze. and women’s 55kgs contests. During the

38 December December 39 Photo: Chathurika Priyanthi

Photo: Chathurika Priyanthi

day’s proceedings we ended up with gold and two silver medals. Samarakone won ladies silver in the 45kgs class, the other silver was taken by Hansani Gomes in the 49kgs category while Y.D.I. Kumara became the first Gold recipient in the 55kgs category, then I followed it Photo: with a 61kgs men’s silver . Then R.M.N. Indika Dissanayake Rajapakse also won silver in the men’s 55kgs category.

“In the following day; opening with the 73kgs category Indika Dissanayake lost medal opportunity by seeking the gold lift, but, evergreen Chinthana Vidanage managed a Bronze. This was followed by Chaturika Priyanthi who won a bronze. In the final day of weightlifting Himali Haputenne made another gold winning effort in the 85kgs and over category while Eshan Charuka in the over 109kgs category won a silver.”

Palangasinghe finally said in spite of a few logistical issues, the overall scenario was quite impressive and they were very proud to have contributed to the Lankan cause in this manner.

Photo: 40 December The SAG 2019 Weightlifting squad December 41 Thilini and Anuradha bring home Gold medals

ri Lanka’s Wushu players answered the country’s clarion call by bagging gold in the men’s and women’s categories at the 13th South Asian Games in Kathmandu. In the men’s division Namal Anuradha won the Sgold in the Taolu Taiji Jian category while the women’s gold was won by Thilini Gunasekera in the Taiji Jian All Rounder category.

Besides these achievements Sri Lanka also bagged five silver and six bronze medals during their remarkable show.

42 December December 43 Men’s Taolu Taiji Jian Sansou Women’s 56 Kg Men’s 52 Kg Gold - Tharindu Namal Anuradha Silve - W.P.M.M. Madumali Bronze - A.G.M. Chandika

Women’s Taiji Jian All-Rounder Women’s Chan Quan Thaulo Sansou Women’s 52 Kg Gold - Thilini Gunasekara Silver - P.H.G. Wathsala Bronze - S.V.P.R. Dilhani

Men’s 65 Kg Men’s 56 Kg Nandao All-Round Silver - K.W.A. Nipun Shanika Bronze - S.R. Kumara Bronze - Sanju Kumari

Men’s 75 Kg Men’s 60 Kg Silver - Puspa Kumara Bronze - P.N. Balawardana

Men’s 85 Kg Men’s 70 Kg Silver - W.R.M.T. Madusanka Bronze - S.G.R. Rumesh

44 December December 45 Volleyball Red carpet performance by spikers

t was a rare all Sri Lankan gold and The speciality of this win was that during silver clash for beach supremacy the entire championship, both teams Iin Beach Volley at Pokhara at the stayed unbeaten and only the women’s 13th South Asian Games. Finally the team even dropped one set during the teams -- Asanka Pradeep and Ashen proceedings. Kumara men’s and Deepika Jadera and Madushani Weerasinghe women’s took It’s worth showing off the dominancy. In the home the gold while the duo of Tiron men’s opening tie, the Tiron-Sanuja pair Jayatilleke Jayan Sanuja (Men’s) and beat Man Bahadur and Dil Sunar of Nepal Tharuka Lakshini and Dinesha Prasadini while Asanka Pradeep Kumara and Ashen pocketed the silver title. Kumara beat B.K. Raju and Sanju Shah also of Nepal.

46 December December 47 In the women’s first outing the pair of Tharuka Lakshani and Dinesha Prasadini beat Kopila Upreti and Manisha Choudhari 2-0 while Deepika Jadera and Madushani Weerasinghe beat Birita Budakothi and Nebika Chudhari 2-1. In both games the opponents were from Nepal.

In the second encounter Deepika and Madushani met opponents from the Maldives – Aminath Rudhaina and Ibrahim and beat them 2-0 while Lakshini and Dinesha beat Moosa Zeeniya and Aminath Rudhaina – Rudhaina being involved in both matches in a losing cause 2-0.

In the men’s second outing, Tiron and Sanuja beat the Bandladesh duo of Mohammed Imran and Shaikh md Samy 2-0 while Pradeep and Kumara beat Hossain Md Monir and Ali md Shjaha (Bangladesh) also 2-0.

In their third set of games, the Maldivian pair of Tiron and Sanju beat Abdulla Zayaanth and Ahmed Mohammed 2-0 while Pradeep and Kumara beat Adam Naseem and Mohaammad 2-0.

Tiron and Sanjua’s next outing was with a pair from Pakistan. There the Pakistan duo of Khan Zasrnab and Khan Afaq also lost at 2-0.

From there in the last round Tiron and Sanju beat B.K. Raju and Sanju Shah of Nepal while Pradeep and Kumara beat Abdulla Zayaan and Ahmed Mohammed 2-0.

48 December December 49 Graceful Yatawara, guides Lanka to two gold medals

s expected Grace Yatawara’s golfing ladies became darlings of the ‘club sport’ by bringing home two A gold that was meant for ladies individual and the Ladies team event at the Gorkarna Forest Golf Resort at the 13th SAG.

On her way to that achievements, Yatawara who broke the course record on day one maintained her lead over the next three days and made sure of a ladies golf individual gold for the very first time in SAG history.

Her contribution along with her compatriots Thuhashini Selvaratnam and Tania Minel Balasuriya powered their way to give Sri Lanka second gold in the Ladies Team event. Thuhashini Selvaratnam played steady golf to clinch the Ladies individual bronze.

The men’s team had to face stiff competition from Nepal and Bangladesh who made a last two day rally and that saw them losing both Gold and Silver and had to be content with only the Team bronze.

Speaking to GoodSport Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) Photo: Secretary Nishan Navaratne explained: “Sri Lanka started Grace Yatawara their preparations as early as February 2019 when the ministry of sports informed our national federation to form their pools for training.

“They did their high altitude training along with physical and mental preparation was done to give the athletes the best training. At the same time, in a fine gesture Sri Lanka Golf

50 December December 51 Photo: Tanya Minel Balasuriya, Grace Yatawara, Thuhashini Selvaratnam

Photo: Tanya Minel Balasuriya

Photo: Grace Yatawara

Union was able to obtain the necessary equipment ahead against Zakiya Sultana of Bangladesh and and replace aging golf equipment too. Then the one shot ahead of Thuhashini and was assured of pool was reduced to 6 male athletes in August and an individual silver too, but proving the proverbial to 4 in November while two female athletes Grace “a slip between the cup and the lip”, Tania’s poor Yatawara and Thuhashini Selvaratnam trained course management saw her ending up with seven in the United States of America and joined Tania strokes to putt the final hole and losing a silver and Balasuriya to form the three woman Ladies team.” also the bronze which was within her grasp. Golf is Thuhashini Selvaratnam led the Ladies team and such that Bangladesh was virtually gifted the Silver. Chanaka Perera led the men’s team. Chanaka Perera is incidentally a National Olympic Final Medal tally Committee Scholarship recipient. NOC SL can be proud of nurturing such an athlete who led from Grace Yatawara Ladies Individual Gold with a total the front with four days of good golf. But alas it 296 in four days. Gorkarna Course record broken was not enough as Bangladesh made a strong on day one 69 Gross by Grace Yatawara. comeback to clinch individual silver and the team silver. Sri Lanka men’s team had to content with Thuhashini Selvaratnam Ladies Individual Bronze bronze. 318.

Navaratne also added that the final day’s highlight Ladies Team Gold With a lead of 32 points Grace was the ladies individual and team as Sri Lanka Yatawara, Thuhashini Selvaratnam and Tania lost the opportunity to clinch the ladies silver. Balasuriya At one point Tania Balasuriya was three strokes

Photo: 52 December The SAG Golf contingent December 53 Thilini a gold and two silver

n an all Sri Lankan women’s doubles final Sirimannage, Achini Ratnasiri and Upuli Samanthika Thilini Hendehewa and Kavidi Sirimannage had will go down in history of creating the landmark Ithe better of their team mates Achini Ratnasiri occurrence of two teams competing against each and Upuli Samanthika Weerasinghe as they to other in a final of a SAG competition. bag the respective gold and silver medals at the SAG in Pokhara. The two Lankan Women’s Doubles teams took very little trouble in outdoing the much fancied Indian The women’s doubles bronze was an all Indian pairs, which comes as welcome news for a squad affair. There Meghana Jakkampudi and N. Sikki that had to face unforeseen odds, besides the cold Reddy beat Kuhoo Garg and Anoushka Parikh. weather and appalling conditions. The feat of Thilini Hendehewa, Kavidi

54 December December 55 In their run up to the final, Thilini Hendahewa and Kavidi Sirimannage paired up to beat Meghana Jakkampudi and Sikki Reddy of India in straight sets while Achini Ratnasiri and Upuli Samanthika, the other Lankan Women’s pair, India’s beat Kuhoo Grag and Anoushka Parikh, also in straight sets, to book a berth in the final. Photo: Besides the gold, Hendehewa was also featured Buwaneka Gunatilleke in a silver effort when she paired off with Sachin Dias to take charge of the mixed doubles Silver. There they lost the final to Dhruv Kapila and Meghana Jakkampudi of India.

In the third medal won by Hendaehwa, she became of the women’s team that won the Silver. Besides Hendahewa , Hasini Ambalangodage, Kavindika de Silva, Dilmi Dias, Achini Ratnasiri, Kavidi Sirimannege, Upuli Weerasinghe and Hasara Wijeratne.

The other silver was won by the men’s team that comprised – Chrishan Danushka, Lochana de Silva, Sachin Dias, Maduka Dulanjana, Buwaneka Gunatilleke, Chanaka Hasitha, Dinuka Karunaratne and Santhushka Sasindu. Photo: Thilini Hendahewa

Photo: Sachin Dias

Photo: The SAG 2019 Badminton Squad

Photo: Dinuka Karunaratne

56 December December 57 Boxing Gutty Sandakelum brought home the 40th gold for Sri Lanka

umesh Sandakelum (Men’s Light Heavy 81kg) brought Sri Lanka their 40th and final gold medal for Sri Lanka as the 13th South Asian games came to an end Ramidst raucous and ornate closing ceremony at the Dasrath Stadium, Rangashala in Kathmandu.

The Lankans pugilists ended the day with gold, silver and 4 bronze medals the boxing matches took place at the Satabado Stadium, also in Kathmandu.

58 December December 59 Photo: Rumesh Sandakelum and Aubrey Peiris

Photo: Boxing squad with their medals

Rumesh competing in the 81kgs category beat Nepalese counterpart Pradhan Ganesh to take the gold. The boxing silver was won by Ayoma Dulanji in the Women’s Feather 57kg category while the four bronze medals were won by Buwaneka Eranda (Men’s Super-Heavy +91kg), Lasindu Eranda (Men’s Fly 52kg) and Nissanka Jeevantha (Men’s Light 60kg) while Nilmini Athauda a bronze in the Women’s Fly 51kg category.

The Lankan pugilists progressed in silence. The first the days of the proceedings were quiet and almost without incident in spite being a boxing affair, yet, by the penultimate close the bouts finished with two possible gold and a few other medals.

However on the final day Sandakelum broke the impasse by bagging the 81kg gold while Ayoma did justice to the 57kgs women’s silver.

60 December December 61 Judo Olympian Chamara bags Judo gold Photo: Chamara celebrates his for Lanka golden performance

n his day-to-day demeanour he is too had a mean reputation. Lo and behold affable and unassuming. Yet, when the bout lasted only a few seconds and it IOlympian Chamara Dharmawardena was all over. sets foot on to that fighting square he means business in a very clinical manner. At this point his friends said: “Sir, this The opponent does not even have the weight class is ours you can confidently time to settle in as the bout is already write down the result. And the delivery over. was prompt. First in the semi-final bout the Pakistani opponent looked taller and This afternoon Chamara stood up to that better set. But, the result was the same lethal reputation. First it was his India as before— before we could say ‘Jack opponent. Prior to the bout he said that Robins’ and the game was over.” he was a bit hesitant because the Indian

62 December December 63 Photo: Chamara in action

Photo: A Ladies bout

Photo: The Judo team celebrating the gold by Chamara Dharmawardena Photo: Shalani Lakshika

The third bout was for the gold and was against a partisan crowd and a Nepalese opponent. Yet, his friends were remarking “More noise and pressure, Chamara begins react more menacingly”. So ended the story of the day and how Chamara added yet gold to the ever increasing Lankan larder.

The two silver medals came from Buddhika Premaratne and Chamila Dilani while Shalini Liyanage, Yameena Refas and Lakshika Maduvantha added the bronze medals.

Buddhika Premaratne bagged the silver medal in the Men’s 60kg Extra Lightweight category, while Dilani’s silver medal came in the Women’s 48kg Extra Lightweight category. The three bronze medals came from Liyanage, who competed in the Women’s 57kg Lightweight, Rifaz, who competed in the Women’s 63kg Half Middleweight and Maduwanthi, who competed in the Women’s 52kg Half Lightweight categories.

64 December December 65 Photo: Nuwan Kumara

Photo: Photo: Dulakshi Weerasinghe Nuwan Kumara

Triathlon Eranga wins the Gold

ri Lanka made their mark by The Lankan gold was won by Eranga winning gold and three silver at Dilrukshi in the women’s Duathlon event S the event at the South while the bronze was won by Udaya Asian Games in Pokhara. In this year’s Kumari. The silver of this event was won by competition Duathlon which consists Humi Magar of Nepal. of only running and cycling was also introduced. The third bronze won by the mixed relay team in the Triathlon event. This team The inclusion of the Duathlon stood comprised – Puvini Kahandawela, Hasanka in good stead for the Lankans. There Nilaweera, Gayani Dissanayake and they won a gold and the bronze in the Chalaka Wickremaarachchi. Photo: women’s event while winning a bronze in Puvini Kahandawela the men’s event.

66 December December 67 Cricket Men’s cricket had to be satisfied with a silver

angladesh Under 23 Fernando added 34 runs for the first Right arm pacer Hasan Mahmud cricketers accomplished wicket in 4.4 overs. captured 3 for 20 for Bangladesh. Btheir SAG ‘Gold’ mission The Bangladesh inning revolved with consummate ease when they The wicket of Nishan Fernando round Saif Hassan (33) Soumya crushed their Under 23 Lankan sparked of the huge slide, owing Sarkar (27) and Najmul Santo (35) counterparts by seven wickets at to a series of rash strokes and as they coasted to a seven wicket . needless run outs. There was win and thus relegating Sri Lanka no Lankan batsman who was in to“silver”, instead of an expected If the first win was a roar for the control of the situation. The only gold. Lankans; the next outing was a batsman who did try to salvage the whimper. The only difference was situation for Sri Lanka – Sammu Sri Lanka 122 for 3 in 20 overs the toss that it was a reverse and Ashan was given out by an umpire (Pethum Nissanka 22, Nishan winning the toss Sri Lanka were that infuriated the Lankan middle Fernando 16, Sammu Ashan 25; invited to take the first lease of the order batsman. Some felt bat hit the Hasan Mahmud 3 for 20) popping crease. ground and not the ball. Bangladesh 125 for 3 in 18.1 overs (Saif Hassan 33, Soumya Sarkar 27, The game started well enough for Thereafter the Lankan innings failed Najmul Santo 35) the Lankans when the openers to go gather any momentum and Pethum Nissanka and Nishan were bowled out for 122 in 20 overs.

68 December December 69 Women’s cricket also a silver

ri Lanka women’s cricketers experienced the ignominy of losing a low scoring cricket final by two runs, but, had the satisfaction of securing the silver at S Pokhara. Taking the first lease of the wicket the Bangladeshi lasses managed only 91 in their allotted 20 overs with U. Thimashini ending up with 4 for 8.

For the Lankan women only wicket-keeper batswoman Harshitha Madhavi showed any resolute make 32 while L. Upsara worked with the late order to make 25. The Lankan women were stuck at 89 for 9 when the last ball of the 20th over was bowled.

Bangladesh Women 91 for 8 in 20 overs (Nisar Sultan 29 not out; U. Thimashini 4 for 8)

Sri Lanka women 89 for 9 in 20 overs (H. Madavi 32, L. Upsara 25; N. Akthar 2 for 9)

70 December December 71 Nineteen medals by Lankan Karatekas

he Lankan Karatekas took the maximum opportunity of the 13th SAG by winning 19 medals that included 4 Silver and 15 Bronze Medals. The four Silver medals were won brought home by the Men’s Team Kumite, Men’s Team Kata, Karate T Men’s 50Kgs and Karate Women’s 50kgs Karatekas.

MEN'S TEAM KUMITE (4th December) WOMEN'S 68 KG (3rd December) Silver - Buddika Erandi Jayakody, Kasun Dhanushka , Bronze - Sarani Pooja Piumanthi Thushara Nishantha Mendis, Sandaruwan Bandara, Sumith Suresh Priyadarshana, Akila Harshani Bandara Thuresinghe, WOMEN'S 55 KG (3rd December) Hashan Jayamal Bronze - Tharika Samanmali

MEN'S TEAM KATA (2nd December) WOMEN'S 61 KG (3rd December) Silver - Laksitha Bandara Herath, -Thilina Chathura Bronze - Buddika Erandi Jayakody Dayananda, Kasmiyar Rosairo Thesera KARATE MEN'S 84 KG+ (2nd December) KARATE MEN’S 50 KGs Bronze – Sumeda Wimalasiri Silver - T.K.H. Lakmal KARATE WOMEN'S 45 KG (2nd December) KARATE WOMEN'S 50 KG (2nd December) Bronze - Ishka Muthuwanthi Perera Silver - Dinusha Kumari KARATE MEN'S 50 KG (2nd December) WOMEN’S KUMITE (4th December) Bronze - Rosairo Thesera Bronze - Tharika Samanmali Kulathunga, Akila Harshani Bandara, Aruni Prabhathi Kumari, Anjalika Thathsarani KARATE MEN'S 84 KG (2nd December) Diyawadana Bronze - Kavindu Lakshitha Jayakody

WOMEN’S 68+ KG (4th December) WOMEN'S TEAM KATA (2nd December) Bronze - Kulathunga Wijeykoon Mudiyanse Bronze - Navodhi Thathsarani Fernando, Nirosha Nirmalie, Vihangi Sashenka MEN'S 60 KG (3rd December) Bronze - Prasanga Sandaruwan MEN'S SINGLE KATA (2nd December) Bronze - Sounthararasa Baluraj MEN'S 67 KG (3rd December) Bronze - Kanchana Lakshan WOMEN'S SINGLE KATA (2nd December) Bronze - Heshanee Hettiarachchi MEN'S 75 KG (3rd December) Bronze - Kasun Dhanushka

72 December December 73 Limited success with only 8 bronze

he Lankan Fencing team also were also in the medals list, but, with limited success. The Lankan fencers failed to win either Gold or Silver, T but finished with eight Bronze in their kitty. Team Men’s Sabre: (Bronze) Nishani Sri Kanthi Fernando, Nilanka Upamali, Prabhitha Karunaratne, Ratnamalee Abeysekera.

Team Men’s Foil: (Bronze) Anura Bandara, Tharindu Madumal, Vishmitha Bandara, Suresh Sudarshana Valimuni Dewage.

Team Women’s Foil: (Bronze) Asoka Udayangani Abeynayake, Harshani Roshika Wijewardhana, Bawani Sri, P.G. Hansani Wickramarathne.

Team Men’s Sabre: (Bronze) Roshan Sameera Palihawadana, Ashan Kannangara, Horanage Manjula Prabhath Fernando, Sasanka Perera

Team Men’s Epee: (Bronze) Ayesh Dilantha, Padma Pathirennhelage, Kasun Pradeep Subasinghe, Chamara Nuwan Priyadarshana Warnasuriya

Team Women’s Epee: (Bronze) Chamodi Prathibha Karunarathne, Pushpa Kumari, Shiromani Chathurangi

Men’s Foil: (Bronze) Tharindu Madumal

Men’s Sabre: (Bronze) Roshan Arachchige

74 December December 75 Photo: Sajeev de Silva

Photo: Rehana Thayabally

Archery Learning curve for

Photo: midst many a pitfalls like a the stagefright of being green horns at the event came in the men’s Recurve event Sandun Herat, nightmarish 10hour bus ride from top level. where he won a bronze medal. Sajeew de Silva Kathmandu to Pokhara and other In the Compound discipline the Lankans R. Dalpadado A foreseen and unforeseen issues, the men They won their first silver in the Recurve had more medals. In the women’s and women with the bow and arrow did men’s team event. The players involved in team event which comprised Anuradha well to be featured in four of the gold that feat were -- Ravien Dalpatadu, Sajeev Karunaratne, Harshini Shalika and finals. However, they had to settle for de Silva and Sandun Herath. Not to be Damayanthi Thakshila they had a win in the second best and returned with an outdone, women’s team emulated the men. silver while in the women’s event they had encouraging score of 4 silver medals and The three ladies responsible for that were the Silver and bronze through Anuradha four bronze medals. – Thishari Silva, Rehana Tayabally and Karunaratne and Damayanthi Thakshila. Malsha Waduge. Finally Sanjeewa Athanpola and According to insiders they may have done Damayanthi Thakshila won the bronze better had they received more exposure In the Recurve Mixed event Sajeev de Silva medal in the men’s mixed event. at international level. According to them and Rehana Tayabally took custody of a the matter was not technique, but it was bronze medal. Sajeev’s third medal of the

76 December December 77 Cycling Slide in performance

ycling: Slide in performance Men’s Individual Road Race: In comparison to the 2016 (Silver) Madushanka Prabhath Silva C South Asian Games cycling (Bronze) Shenal Chamod de Silva performance in Guwahati and Shillong in India, the show in 2019 could be listed Women’s Individual Road Race: as mediocre. At the Indian excursion the (Bronze) Sulochana Nawanage Lankan cyclists finished with 2 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze. Women’s Elite: (Silver) Adikari Mudiyanselage Dinesha Dilrukshi However the Kathmandu performance (Bronze) Kumarasinghe Udeshani Neranjani had more questions than answers as they failed to win a single gold. In this Men’s Elite: Nepalese outing Sri Lanka finished with (Bronze) Avisha Mawatha two silver and 4 bronze medals.

78 December December 79 Handball – Impressive show

t was a learning curve for the Lankan They may have lost 42-20 to ultimate gold to Pakistan only by a single digit at 29-30. team – especially their men’s team. winners Pakistan next time out, but, this In the game for the bronze – once again I In spite of being relatively members did not dissuade the little Lankans. In their the Lankan men played well to win by in this society, the men’s team brought next outing they came back strong against a close margin at 26-23 beating much home a Bronze medal which they may India, but, lacked proper exposure at this experienced Bangladesh. cherish like gold until the next time out. level to convert their youthful exuberance to winning points and lost by a close The women’s team failed to impress. They The men’s team started their journey margin of 39-32 in an enthralling game. lost their game against Nepal at 29-19 and by beating hosts Nepal 37-30 thus lost to Bangladesh at 34-13. registering their maiden SAG and The intensity of the Lanka-India game international victory. proves in this manner. In the final, India lost

80 December December 81 Men’s team impressES with Silver

he Kabaddi men’s team In the men’s event Sri Lanka opened their impressed at the 13th South journey by beating Pakistan 29-27, but lost T Asian Games at Kirtipur, Nepal their first round game to India at 49-16. where they won the majority of their matches well. For their intriguing work, The Lankan lads bounced back with two they were awarded with a silver medal. other wins against Nepal (34-22) and However the same could not be said Bangladesh (35-20) to book a berth in the about the women’s Kabaddi Team. All final against strong India. However India their exchanges ended up in losses; prevailed in this final and beat Sri Lanka at but were rather lucky to end up with a 51-18. default bronze on the weight that only four countries – Nepal, India, Bangladesh In contrast the Lankan ladies all their and Sri Lanka taking part and there were matches – India 53-14, Nepal 28-24 and a bronze assured for the fourth position Bangladesh 17-16, but, were assured with too. a medal as only four teams participated in this leg of the Kabaddi contest.

82 December December 83 Photo: Photo: The Shooting W.K.Y. Krishantha Team

Photo: H.D.P. Kumara

Photo: Amali Kulathunga

Shooting

Shooters settle Photo: K.A.I. de Alwis and T.D.S. Fernando for two silver

n almost an impenetrable performance by the Indian 25metre Pistol (Women): K.A.I de Alvis, shooters where they won 18 out of a possible 20 gold M.T.R. Abeymanne and S.C.G. Kandawela I(other two were won by Pakistan); the Lankans men and did reasonably well to end with two Silver and five bronze Bronze: at the 13th SAG in Kathmandu. 25metre Centre Pistol (Men): Nimal Baddegama, Gamini Walgama and T.D.S. Fernando.

Even in silver India dominated. There the Indians won 10metre Air Rifle (Women): M.S.Y.P. Weerasinghe, seven silver, Bangladesh six silver, Pakistan five silver G.J.M. Wataraka and A. Amerasinghe. leaving the Lankans the space to win only two ‘silver’. In the bronze category; Pakistan had a haul of seven 50metre Rifle 3 position (Men): Hendagederalage followed by the 5 by Sri Lanka while India and Bangladesh Shanushka, Weeraratne Kodikara and M.M.S. had four each. Samarakone

Medals won by Sri Lanka: 50metre Rifle 3 position (Women): G.T.E. M. Egodawela, Priyanthi Kapugedera and Silver: Kankanige Kavindika. 10metre Air Pistol (Mixed Team): K.A.I. de Alwis and 25metre Rapid Fire Pistol (Men): D.D.F. Herby Karuna, T.D.S. Fernando M.K.K. Wanasinghe and D.D.K. Arawwalage.

84 December December 85 Photo: Drunvika Manura

Photo: Mohomed Shamil

Photo: Fathoumi Issadeen

Photo: Ravindu Hasitha Only two bronze for Squash

mid very heavy and stiff Nepal and Bangladesh, but, were almost competition from India and stonewalled against the challenges meted APakistan, the Lankans had to by India and Pakistan. be satisfied with two bronze medals in their 13th SAG outing at the Satabado Finally the Lankans were placed with team Stadium, Kathmandu. bronze medals in the men’s and women’s segments. The racquet men and women did well when it came to the contests against

86 December December 87 Table Tennis One silver amid stiff Indian competition

n a sport which is relatively dominated Final medal tally: • Women’s Singles – Bronze by the Indian paddlers Sri Lanka • Women’s Team – Silver Erandi Warusawithana Imanaged only one Silver at the 13th Ishara Madurangi/ Bimandee Bandara/ • Women’s Doubles – Bronze South Asian games, 2019 in Nepal. Erandi Warusawithana/Ayla Ishara Madurangi and Hansani Piumila Chitty/Hansani Kapugeekiyana While watching the proceedings one • Men’s Doubles – Bronze could just get the vibes of the domination • Men’s Team – Bronze Krishan Wickramarathne and Chameera of the Indian players over the rest of the Udaya Ranasinghe/ Nirmala Jayasinghe Ginige Table Tennis community of the region. (Captain)/ Krishan Wickramarathne/ However the women’s team comprising Chameera Ginige/ Senura Silva • Mixed Doubles - Bronze skipper Ishara Madurangi, Bimandee Ishara Madurangi and Udaya Ranasinghe Bandara, Erandi Warusawithana, Ayla • Women’s Singles – Bronze Chitty and Hansani Kapugeekiyana did Ishara Madurangi well to capture the silver in the women’s event.

88 December December 89 Photo: Rushika Wijesuriya Photo: Anika Seneviratne Photo: Rushika Wijesuriya and Alana Seneviratne

Photo: Photo: Sharmal Dissanayake Anjalika Kurera

Tennis It was up to the women players to cover-up

he women’s players performed experience with names in the calibre for this event was won by the Indian Ladies admirably to win a team Silver and of Sharmal Dissanayake, Thangarajah team. an individual singles Bronze, after Dineshkanthan, Chathurya Danindu Photo: T Thangarajah a rather unyielding tennis excursion. Nilaweera, Balachandran Suren, Yasitha The Ladies Singles Bronze was won by Photo: Dineshkanthan de Silva and Sankha Atukorale, they Anika Seneviratne. Seneviratne did well to Alana Seneviratne The Lankan men’s team was floundered. beat the Pakistani number 1 Mahin Aftab unsuccessful and failed to win any Qureshi of Pakistan in the quarterfinals but medals. However the Ladies team did restore lost to S. Bavasetti of India (no 1 seed) some prestige first by taking the team after leading 4/3 in the first set. The Lankan team came on board for the Silver. The ladies who were responsible 13th South Asian Games at the Satabado for it were Anika Seneviratne, Alana In the final Bavasetti met Sathwika Sa Stadium with a men’s team that boasted Seneviratne,Anjalika Kurera and Rukshika ma also of India. In that outing Bavasetti of many players with international Wijesuriya with Janali Manamperi and could not cope with the skills of Sama and Savini Jayasooriya as standbys. The Gold lost at 4-6, 6-2, 6-5. (retired)

90 December December 91 Volleyball Volleyball failed impress

n spite of being the national sport, spikers were second only to the Indians Volleyball failed ignite its performance where they finished with two silver medals Ias they ended with two bronze medals in the men’s and women’s events. at the 13th South Asian Games in Kathmandu. In the 2019 volleyball third place play-off the Lankan women beat the Maldives 3-0 At the last South Asian Games held in while men beat Bangladesh 3-1, to finish Guwahati, India the men’s and women with two bronze medals.

92 December December 93 Basketball Silver for Basketball

ri Lanka was outwitted by India P. Charith and Indian skipper Bhri Gubanshi 62-101 in the gold medal match of top scored for their respective teams with Sthe Basketball competition at the 17 points each in a game where Sri Lanka covered hall. made a late charge.

The tall and lanky Indian men were in For Sri Lanka P. Udayanga (11). C. Kusal control from the opening stage of the and C. Joseph (10) scored well. game as they led the first three quarters by 26-14, 25-10, 28-11 but in the last Amritpal Singh and A. Annadurai added 15 quarter they were virtually given the best points each while Hafiz Bek and Prasanna challenge by the Lankans who dominated Sivakumar scored 13 points each for India. by 27-22, but settled in with the silver medal.

94 December December 95 3x3 Cagers bag a silver and bronze

he 3x3 cagers did reasonably well a relatively easy opposition against the the next engagement was a stiff to finish with a silver and a bronze challenge of Bangladesh and beat them proposition -- taking on a game against T at the 13th South Asian Games at at 21-13. However, that elation turned India which they lost at 18-10. the Dasharath Rangashala Tripureshwor, sour in the semi-final when Nepalese The Lankans then had a do-or-die semi- Main Stadium. cagers re-grouped and made emends final battle against Nepal and they did to their initial loss by beating the Lankan go past that hurdle with flying colours. The men’s cagers finished with a bronze. 3x3 team by a hefty margin of 21-9. Sri Lanka Ladies beat their Nepalese In their run to the medal, they initially lost Thus, the run ended with a bronze for counterparts by a single digit at 11-10. to India at 21-13, but bounced back to the Lankan 3x3 Lankan men. Yet, the gold outing was too challenging. get the better of hosts Nepal in a close The highflying Indian female cagers held game at 18-14 in spite of a highly partisan The Lankan ladies opened their their wits together to beat Sri Lanka at local support gathered at the stadium. exchanges with satisfactory 15-12, but, that win came against a stiff In their third game – once the dust of performance when they beat opposition posed by the Sri Lankan ladies. caution had settled, the Lankan men had Bangladesh ladies at 18-11. However

96 December December 97 Football No medals for Football and Kho kho

he tail-end performances goal in four outings. Sri Lanka men Kho-Kho came from much taunted held the Maldives at nil all and held The men lost their matches by T Football and Kho Kho teams. Nepal 1-all in their first two outings, 21-8 against India, 13-7 against They definitely may have to justify but, then lost to Bhutan at 3-0 and Bangladesh and 12-11 against their participation at this level of Bangladesh at 1-nil. Nepal. Their women’s team lost competition if they keep floundering their matches against Bangladesh at this frequency. The women dribblers lost their 14-11 and India 32-4. matches at 1-0 against Nepal, 6-0 In a tournament which was sans against India and 2-1 against the the talent of India and Pakistan, Maldives. Sri Lanka men managed only one

98 December December 99 Closing ceremony heralds a new beginning!

he Bhutan vs Nepal – which was The closing ceremony itself was a sparkling almost a home and home affair spectacle. There were acrobats and dances T - the final of the SAG football sporting a bevy of colours that pleased the that preceded closing ceremony. The eye of everyone present. The atmosphere almost 30,000 people who thronged of festivity of the 13th South Asian Games to Dasharath Rangasala Tripureshwor was a clear indicator that there were a lot stayed on until the last sparkle of the of happy faces in the stadia in spite of seen splendid fire display disintegrated to and unseen pitfalls that meandered along its the dark sky beyond the Kathmandu eleven-day programme. mountains.

100 December December 101 As the giants of the region India paid put life to the flagging athletic image of Yes, now the dust is settling down and it for their efforts with the usual top position Sri Lanka. is back to business of maintain standards. in spite of some of their top most athletes Now it is a challenge to maintain the bar hibernating as they were preparing for the Like Sri Lanka’s cricket victories in of achievement that they set during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, six months 1996 and 2011 along with Susanthika Games. Remember this came directly later. The hosts Nepal had all the reason Jayasinghe’s Olympic ‘Silver’; every after lean and barren performances at the to be happy. They ended up in the second Kumara, Siva and Tuan wanted to be a Commonwealth Games and the Asian spot with a very impressive execution of part of it and celebrated the achievements Games. The sports enthusiasts and their schedules and programmes – I guess with pride in their eyes. The Bandaranaike followers then waited and shared the gloom the host country’s prerogative. International Airport became truly a busy silently, but, now athletes will be looked at affair. It were not the immigration and in a different perspective – with new hope in Third placed Sri Lanka too ended up as emigration of the people, but the other the near future. a happy nation. The tally of 40 Gold, 83 people who really wanted to celebrate the Silver and 128 Bronze efforts with a final medals haul which was the biggest by far tally of 251 medals gave a new lease of by the Sri Lankans ever.

102 December December 103 13th south asian games 2019

COUNTRY GOLD SILver bronze totAL

1-India 174 93 45 312

2-Nepal 51 60 95 206

3-Sri Lanka 40 83 128 251

4-Pakistan 31 41 59 131

5-Bangladesh 19 32 87 138

6-Maldives 01 00 04 05

7-Bhutan 00 07 13 20

Total 316 316 431 1063

13th south asian games 2019 Sri Lanka Medal Tally

SPORT GOLD SILver bronze totAL SPORT GOLD SILver bronze totAL

Athletics 15 12 08 35 Shooting 00 02 05 07

Swimming 07 11 18 36 Cycling 00 02 04 06

Taekwondo 04 07 16 27 Basketball 00 02 01 03

Wrestling 02 10 02 14 Cricket 00 02 00 02

Weightlifting 02 08 01 11 Table Tennis 00 01 06 07

Wushu 02 05 06 13 Kabaddi 00 01 01 02

Beach Volleyball 02 02 00 04 Fencing 00 00 08 08

Golf 02 00 02 04 Squash 00 00 02 02

Badminton 01 05 03 09 Volleyball 00 00 02 02

Boxing 01 02 08 11 Handball 00 00 01 01

Judo 01 02 10 13 Football 00 00 00 00

Triathlon 01 00 03 04 Kho-Kho 00 00 00 00

Karate 00 04 15 19 Total 40 83 128 251 Archery 00 04 04 08

104 December “It was also the base that I build my General. There were three boxers, a swimmer and a diver, and I was the foundation in sports and matters sole athlete. There were coaches pertaining to that in life" and Mr. H.S.R. Gunawardena who was the director of physical education who was an observer However the man who carved a own soil with added vitamins of the from the ministry. It took us 21 days special niche was ‘Ethir’ who won US of A. to reach London and from there the 1958 Tokyo Games to Finland. It was a memorable ‘gold’ clearing 2.03 metres – a new Ethir saw the horizon of sports experience to a schoolboy. Games record. Not resting on his growing in Sri Lanka in a unique laurels, Ethir won the Silver at the manner. There was nostalgia when “It was also the base that I build my 1962 Games as well. he spoke of his first trip to London. foundation in sports and matters pertaining to that in life. I had Though his beginnings were in “It was the Olympic Games that transformed myself from an athlete Jaffna, by then the lad had moved were held in Helsinki, Finland, from to an international. That’s why I say to Colombo and then to the July 19 to August 3, 1952. I was that you must build your roots at a United States of America where around 17 years old when I initially very young age.” he continues to live. There is a travelled to London after qualifying difference in Ethir’s approach to to take part at the Games and then Besides, Ethir said that his run sports and his relationship with his travel to Helsinki from there. I was to success did not come on a motherland. Though he opted to only 17 years old when I qualified platter. “My next Games were in live in the United States, he never for the Olympics and I was still in Melbourne. There too I made it to let off his roots back home. At high school. We went by ship. regular intervals he continued to the finals. By then I was studying at the University of California. travel back to Sri Lanka and shed At that time Mr. W.H.T. Perera a little of that sweat back on to his was there. He was the Secretary Photo: NOC SL President Suresh Subramaniam (second from left) hands over a plaque to former national high jump champion Nagalingam Ethirweerasingham. Also in the picture are NOC SL General Secretary Maxwell de Silva (extreme left) and Gamini Jayasinghe (extreme right)

Photo: NOC SL President Suresh Subramaniam in conversation with Ethirweerasingham Ethir’s vision for the future By S.R. Pathiravithana

hough his disposition sports and especially track and Zealand, ending the race in only 52 shows signs of aging, the field. The next that come to mind is seconds. T spritely figure of Nagalingam the ‘gold’ he brought home at the Ethirweerasingham would always Asian Games. At the fledgling inaugural Asian reveal a story of athletics and his Games in New 1951, when eyes give out the story of “I have The first ‘gold’ efforts came at Sri Lanka was invited to take part, seen it all”. The tall lanky figure still the then Empire Games (now Pole Vaulter M.A. Akbar took home tells the world that he would have Commonwealth Games) in 1938 by Silver. This was followed by the been a high jumper of yesteryear. boxer Barney Henricus who won two boxing brothers H.P. and C.P. Mention the name the Feather weight final and then Jayasuriya winning the Bantam Ethirweerasingham; you draw up 12 years later by none other than and Light Weight Silver and Bronze a sketch of athletics in your mind, who won the 440- respectively at the 1954 Games in because it is synonymous with yard hurdles final in Auckland, New .

106 December December 107 and Sri Lanka. He also worked for the set qualifying Grade,” says “Sri Lanka too the UNESCO for many years. Ethirweerasingham.

must imple- Thus, he recommends that all He says in any ordinary school in ment a similar educational institutions should set a the US of A there are better running minimum standard for their athletes, tracks than what the whole of Sri thing if we are and should not allow those who fail Lanka could offer. He hinted that this to achieve that set mark to take part would be something difficult to do to see a better in any sporting championship or immediately but would yield good tournament in the following term. results in the long run. future for our Minimum level of education “You should get a ‘C’ Grade as “Sri Lanka too must implement a sportspersons” the minimum mark for those similar thing if we are to see a better who are doing sports. All those future for our sportspersons,” Ethir who are not achieving that mark stressed. He also questioned the should not be allowed to take part ability and suitability of coaches “Then my first Asian Games in competitions in the following and trainers who don’t believe in experience came in 1954. There I semester. This system has yielded their understudies’ capabilities in was the co-holder of the record, good results in USA where even education. but there I had more misses and I the No.1 in a particular sport is not became the fourth. The Gold medal allowed to compete until he attains came in 1958. By then I was living Photo: in the USA. There I was not selected Ethirweerasingham though I was jumping more than the Asian Games record. Then journalist Carlton Seneviratne took the case up in the ‘Observer’ newspaper who took the case up very seriously stating that I was clearing 6’ 7” and then I was given the opportunity. I Olympic jumper Manjula Kumara remember once selected they said that they did not have the money to finance my trip. Then businessman cum philanthropist Donovan Andree financed by passage for the 1958 bids adieu after 18 years Asian Games.” By Susil Premalal For Ethir bygone is bygone. Now he sees ways of seeing the next generation of athletes come of age deally, the 13th South Asian month before the commencement for the wonderful opportunities I but he has a running battle with the Games held in Kathmandu, of the Games. had to represent my country over prevailing system. He said: “I feel I Nepal should have been the a very long period of time and, if the idea is out of the ordinary. Only swan song for Sri Lanka’s athletic “It was a tough decision,” the not for all those people around me, very influential, strong persons can legend Manjula Kumara Wijesekera. 35-year-old said at a hastily I would never have achieved what comprehend my line of thinking; The veteran high jumper had arranged press conference in I achieved. Thank you,” he said and to get it moving with the dreams of scaling new heights at the presence of his teammates, humbly fighting back tears. government minister’s consent is the land of Mount Everest and bring fellow athletes and media just two not a very easy task.” glory to Sri Lanka before bidding days before he left for to Best Athlete at the National Sports adieu to a sport he had adorned continue higher studies in Sports Festival for eight years, Manjula “Sportsmen are not dumb. They with aplomb for nearly two decades. Management. had planned to retire after bringing are capable of overcoming But sadly he was not allowed one more medal for Sri Lanka at the impediments. They are capable to write the final paragraph of a “Having spent more than half of my South Asian Games. But fate had of achieving great academic chequered career. life for athletics, it was definitely decreed otherwise. heights,” stressed the former High a tough decision but I need to Jumper who has taught in various Manjula Wijesekera was emotional move on now and build a life for As he was engaged in his higher universities in countries like Sierra when he announced his decision me and my family. I am grateful studies in Australia, Manjula Leone, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria to hang up his spikes less than a missed the local trials (National

108 December December 109 denied participation as the jump and coaches for a man who bowed “This was a re- was not performed at recognised out from a sport he silently served. meet in Sri Lanka. The defending ally difficult champion of the event is usually Manjula retired from athletics, decision for me; granted automatic entry. However, leaving behind a legacy that would the Athletics Association of Sri be difficult to match. It’s a career I wanted my re- Lanka turned down Manjula’s with incredible statistics. He formal request. became only the second Sri Lankan tirement to be behind his mentor Nagalingam “This was a really difficult Ethirweerasingham to win medals with a medal decision for me; I wanted my beyond the South Asian region. retirement to be with a medal from the Na- from the National Sports Festival. Incidentally Ethirweerasingham also But unfortunately, that was not had a similar reciprocation from the tional Sports meant to be. This decision was authorities when he was an athlete taken within 24 hours of this at his peak as a jumper. Festival. announcement,” said Manjula who has done for athletics what Since winning his first medal at the Athletics Meet) in August, missing Kumar Sangakkara has done for All Island School Games where he his entry to the SAG contingent. cricket, performing consistently won his first ever medal, Silver, as He had cleared 2.15 m albeit at for 18 long years. But there were an underprivileged young kid in the Australian Open Athletics Meet no guards of honour, no fireworks, 1994 with a height of 1.27 metres, this year which surpassed the no fanfare or no VIP accorded to Manjula improved his personal qualification requirement but was heroes. Only a handful of athletes performance in ten years by a meter.

facilitated Manjula’s journey to That’s when the Principal of my first “Meeting Ethir- USA for training and for a degree in school and her husband took me Economics. to the competition," said Manjula, weerasingham born into a family of six, who rode Sir was the “Meeting Ethirweerasingham Sir rough seas throughout his career. was the turning point of my life," turning point of he recalled. "At that stage, I had no Manjula has won two Gold medals idea who he was, but he had seen (Asian Championship 2005 and my life" my performance in a newspaper 2009), and represented Sri Lanka and written to my school. I did not at the 2004 Olympic understand what he had written and Games 2005 World Championship, Ten years later in 2004, Manjula my school Principal and English four Asian Games (2002, 2006, became one of the few athletes teacher prepared and sent a reply to 2010 and 2014) and at two who realised the Olympic dream, him. Since then, he was my second Commonwealth Games. being selected to represent Sri father." Lanka at the Athens Olympics. He is the last remaining athlete from Not bad for someone who hailed He now wants to build a life for a golden era of Sri Lankan athletics. from the outskirts of Morawaka. He himself and his wife Anjula Bandara. started as a volleyball player in his “I will be heading back to Australia, school Kosnilgoda Junior College “I can still remember stepping but I don’t wish to end my sporting before getting a scholarship to onto the Sugathadasa Stadium career completely with this. I want Dikwella Vijitha College where his track, barefoot, wearing my blue to come back as a trainer and give trainers identified his athletic talents school short and skinny," said the back to the sport. I also have hopes and directed him towards to the Olympian, whose mother, a tea- of modelling a player who one day high jump field. plucker and the sole breadwinner. can bring Sri Lanka an ,” said Manjula Kumara But it was former Olympian "I did not have shoes or a kit to wear whose jump of 2.27m remains a Nagalingam Ethirweerasingham and my parents couldn't afford it Sri Lankan record to date. who changed Manjula’s life either. They didn’t even have money forever. Ethirweerasingham, a gold to take me to Colombo to compete. medallist at the 1962 Asian Games,

110 December December 111 Modern Pentathlon Climbing the pyramid By Susil Premalal

t present, the American Ninja Warrior Championship in the AUnited States gets high billing. This is a series of endurance tests for humans in various concocted obstacle courses which come in a form of sport. It is highly successful and multifaceted.

In a very subtle way Modern Pentathlon comes closer to this, but this consists of all accepted Olympic events made to perform as one discipline. Modern Pentathlon is an Olympic sport that comprises of five events - fencing, freestyle swimming, show jumping, a final combined event of pistol shooting, and a cross-country run. The sport has been a core sport of the Olympic Games since 1912, and since 1949 an annual World Championship has been held.

112 December December 113 Photo: Modern Pentathlon competition in full swing

The sport is gradually gathering half of the pyramid is to attract momentum and because it is in a people to the game; as it is the pyramid style structure operating Triathlon is a difficult sport with in this fashion – Pentathlon Team - five events inside it. The UPIM has Team Sport, Laser Run, which is an implemented a way forward plan by urban sport, World School Biathlon making the game accessible.” which is the school segment, Biathle Piyasena said that either it could be / Triathle which is the Beach game running and shooting, which is the segment, Triathlon – YOG University laser run or it could be the Biathlon Sport and Pentathlon – the real which is swim and run. He says Olympic Sport. both these disciplines could be very popular with the beginners. He says Pentathlon chief Nishanthe Piyasena Fencing and Horse Riding are rather explained, “At the moment we are difficult to master and excel. “We engaged in three of the segments have been engaged in this sport and its Triathlon. We started with since 2016 and are growing as an Biathlon which is two sports. Under entity. We have done well in the the UPIM (International Modern Laser Run and the Biathlon and in Pentathlon Union) – the Modern these two segments, we went up Pentathlon structure you get the to World Championships and some above pyramid system. The bottom

114 December December 115 Riding for juniors is a difficult task,” says Piyasena. He added that they are already eyeing a slot at the 2022 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar, Senegal.

“We already have identified four athletes for the Senegal YOG. At the nationals held recently all these players did extremely well. Out of the four, one female athlete, is training in India right now. Besides two of our athletes - A.S. Nilaweera of the Sri Lanka Air Force and K.S. Udayanga of the Sri Lanka Army - got the opportunity of taking part in the 2019 Modern Pentathlon Asian Championships; Asia and Oceania qualification competition for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The qualifying round was held in Wuhan China from 11 to 21 November.”

Photo: Modern Pentathlon President Nishanthe Piyasena in conversation with National Olympic Committee President Suresh Subramaniam

Photo: The competitors

of our players are ranked within the Nationals recently we got four first ten and we won seven medals athletes to test on fencing. With the "The reason behind in that championship.” Fencing in the bag, now we have moved to the level of Tetrathlon. Piyasena says the next step From here we are short of only would be the fencing added to one tier to move on to the Olympic this is that Horse the curriculum. He is of the view level. Once we achieve that, we that the main problem here is the would have a pentathlete in our scarcity of equipment in spite of the ranks.” Riding for juniors is helping hand given by the Fencing Federation of Sri Lanka. However a “With the Tetrathlon our athletes while ago some of our own athletes can go up to the Youth Olympic started fencing and that is also level, because that requires only a difficult task" on the way. He added, “When we four of the five disciplines. The had the MP (Modern Pentathlon) reason behind this is that Horse

116 December December 117 By Allaam Ousman

Athletics in Sri Lanka seems to here better? I think this is the way be back on track in its quest for of the future because if you keep glory after nearly two decades of bringing in coaches from different inertia as Olympic silver medallist parts of the world, they don’t have Susanthika Jayasinghe teams the same ideology, mentality as up once again with her American the young man or young woman in mentor Tony Campbell who Sri Lanka. So to be better able to believes the recipe for success is convey what you want it is better to educating local coaches. train Sri Lankan men and women to coach Sri Lankan athletes. This “I really believe that we can develop is my belief and I think we can do Sri Lankan coaches. Instead of that,” said Campbell who felt there bringing coaches from around the was no need to bring down foreign world, why don’t we make coaches coaches here.

Photo: Tony Campbell

118 December December 119 we are going to make sure we have exams to certify yourself that you with my help of course,” he said. the best possible prepared coaches have the knowledge to do that. “We are going to make sure that to coach our young athletes in Sri Then once you have that, then the coaches are certified and that Lanka. We want to make sure that there is the other common sense they are educated enough, so when they are properly prepared to deal things like travelling, speaking they travel overseas with the young with the future and bringing up another language so that you can men and young women they are young people because it all starts communicate because most of the representing Sri Lanka not only with them (coaches),” said Campbell time the kids don’t speak another themselves but this country. And who has mapped out a future language,” he pointed out. we don’t want to look like a bunch programme with the NOC’s Director of ignorant people, just travelling of High Performance Jayasinghe “The Sri Lankan kids speak around asking questions and no herself. mostly Sinhalese. So the coach, one knows what they are doing. We whoever is travelling with them, want them to represent this country “There are some good coaches has to speak another language properly like everybody else. We here. I am not saying they are because somebody has to be the don’t want to be better than them, bad but I’m just saying this is the representative of the team. So I we want them to be like everybody requirement by IAAF (International think it is just some of the things else,” said Campbell who wants Amateur Athletics Federation). that need to be done going forward, to make sure that coaches are If you want to be a federation not all in one year. But this is going responsible individuals that can coach then you have to pass level to be part of the programme that take care of young athletes on the Susanthika is going to put together international circuit.

Photo: Stressing a point at the head table Photo: Campbell with Lankan athletes

“It all begins with the coach. The country that even approached the Smith Sr and Dennis Mitchell during coach must be able to go into the talent of Susanthika. I am sure there his illustrious coaching career. different villages and find talent is one out there. Our job is to find “We are going to be result-oriented, to bring them to Colombo to help him or her and bring them here, to we are going to find this talent develop them. We will be making make this country proud again. and we are going to work hard to sure that coaches get properly I am sure we can do that. That’s our see if in Tokyo we can have one educated through this programme mission,” declared Campbell who Sri Lankan athlete make a final through coaching seminars, has been roped in by the National in something. I think the sports coaching clinics, so they can help Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri ministry and NOC SL would really the athletes to become better Lanka to launch a high-performance like to see one young man or athletes. I think at the end of the programme for athletes and woman raise the flag in the final of day this is what it is all about,” said coaches in the country. some event at the Olympic Games. Campbell during a two-day visit. This is our goal, our mission,” He delivered a lecture on ‘High- Susanthika had been discussing declared Campbell who knows the Performance’ to invited athletes the possibilities of this program with pulse of athletes and mentality of at the NOC’s Hemasiri Fernando Campbell for the past few years and coaches. Auditorium and a ‘Motivational thankfully he was in the right place Talk’ to the National pool athletes at the right time. “When we started talking with young and coaches at the Sports Ministry athletes and coaches, we wanted to auditorium and inspected the three “We worked very well together let them know that going forward, main athletic venues in Sri Lanka - and more than a coach-athlete Sugathadasa Stadium, Diyagama relationship, we have a family Stadium and the Sports Ministry relationship. And I thought that if Complex at Torrington Square. she was going to do something to “We worked very well Campbell acknowledged it would help the country, then I would be take some time to develop the here to help her realise the dream of together and more than a coaches but was confident hers to make Sri Lanka an athletic Sri Lanka could find another power,” said Campbell who also coach-athlete relationship, Susanthika Jayasinghe. worked with athletes of the calibre of Michael Johnson, Maurice Green, we have a family “I think it’s a shame that we cannot Otis Harris, Tanya Lawrence, Allen find one man or woman in this Johnson, Felix Sanchez, Calvin relationship"

120 December December 121 Photo: Karateka Dinusha Perera was a keen follower

Asked why athletes compete well “Susanthika was in a unique locally and not overseas, he said: situation. Until I see another one “They have no experience. The here (Lanka), I can’t really agree coach must have the experience with that. She was a special athlete. because obviously the athlete Susanthika spoke English though has no experience. They’ve never she said ‘no she don’t speak experienced that. So the person to English’ but she speaks very well. teach them is the coach. So that’s And a lot of the athletes here don’t why we want to make sure the speak English. So that’s another coach is properly trained. So when problem … communication,” he they leave, he or she can convey said. this info to the young athletes so they can be more relaxed, so that “That’s why we are proposing that when they get into line to go in when they go to the school, they front of 30,000 people instead of learn to speak another language. 100 people before, they don’t lose So when they travel, they can a race before the gun goes off. speak with other athletes and have Because they are not prepared, we cultural exchanges that will help want to make sure all the young them to relax more. You have to go men and young women when they step by step. You cannot accept leave Sri Lanka they are prepared everything. to deal with the world outside.” “Educate them properly. I think that “For Susan when she came to is foremost. We have to educate , she was living with them so that they are ready. So a Lankan family. They were a very that they can compete to the full of wealthy family so she was lucky. their ability and don’t lose a race In Los Angeles, we have a big Sri before the race starts,” reiterated Lanka community, so she was at Campbell who debunked the myth home there. There was a good that training in foreign climes was situation for her and I am not essential for success. sure we can duplicate that going Photo: forward.” Susanthika Jayasinghe during her heydays

122 December Colombo before graduating from the athletes become coaches shortly after they University of Ceylon (Peradeniya). retire from the sport even though they are not qualified or have enough experience to “The journey I undertook was very arduous. guide others,” said Wijedasa who entered It was through sheer determination, sacrifice his name in the records book on August 22, and hard work that I managed to produce 1955 when he clocked 11.00 seconds to win a generation of athletes,” recalled the the 100 metre dash. octogenarian who was a pioneer member of the premier sports club, CT & FC, which was “Today because athletics is driven by money, established in 1959, taking the initiative to there is a win-at-any cost mentality resulting conduct the country’s first marathon in 1960. in coaches resorting to win by hook or by crook using illegal methods in order to “Not having an internationally recognised safeguard their reputation and image. During sports degree was a big drawback for me. our time we never went after money. Our I had only a diploma since there were no objective was to produce good clean athletes opportunities to obtain a degree. If I had for the country. But today human values have obtained an international degree, I could deteriorated to such an extent that instances have achieved much more in my coaching of coaches pursuing their selfish interests K.L.F. Wijedasa career. Nonetheless I am satisfied with what have surfaced, compromising values and I have attained with the knowledge and principles,” said Wijedasa. experience I had,” said Wijedasa whose The Last Shot coaching credentials was enhanced when Recipient of the Kreeda Bushana Presidential he underwent a three-month Study Training award, Wijedasa said he does not even “Values played Course for Top Asian Track And Field know the meaning of Bushana. When he great deal in our coaching” Coaches conducted by the DLV (German asked Prof J.B. Dissanayake the meaning of AAA) and the Malaysian AAA in Kuala Bushana, he said it is something similar to a By Susil Premalal Lumpur Malaysia in 1973, and the Colombo glowing star. Plan Scholarship to follow a course in .L.F. Wijedasa is an iconic figure in Physical Education at the Nedlands College “The athletes who I produced have not the annals of Sri Lanka’s athletic of Advance Education in Perth, Australia in forgotten me. They come and see me, K history. A Ceylon record holder, 1979. inquire about my health and give me respect pedagogue and mentor of several national and honour. I gain happiness when I see athletes who distinguished themselves in Nonetheless, he produced several national my products shining and remembering the international arena, Wijedasa, is the and international level athletes such as me,” said Wijedasa who was a member of most senior living sports administrator in the Hema Amarasinghe, Wijitha Wijesekara, U. the Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka country. The veteran athletic coach belongs D. Wickramasinghe, Sunil Gunawardena, Athletics Association from 1965 to 2008 and to the era when sport was truly amateur Kosala Sahabandu, Gregory de Silva, Palitha held the posts of secretary of the coaching and athletes basked in pristine glory without Wijesinghe, Prasad Perera, R. Rajendran, C. committee, secretary of the selection seeking riches. R. Ferdinando, Ransiri Serasinghe, Mallika committee, director of the coaching course, Jayamanne, K. G. Badra, Nadeeka Silva, national coach and was also chairman of the A former national coach, Wijedasa bemoans Surangani de Silva, Melani White, Thamara national selection committee of the National the fact that athletes are motivated by Padmini and Thirinu Premaratne, to name a Olympic committee of Sri Lanka. winning prize money than the pursuit of few. excellence in keeping with the Olympic “There are only a handful of veteran coaches ideals. He coached over 30 National title holders, who are among the living at the moment. My over 10 National record holders, and over contemporary was Capt. Tilen Perera. We “Today the camaraderie in sports is missing. 10 international athletes. In 1968 for the first still have the ability and knowledge to mentor Those days there was a lot of cooperation time in the history of Sri Lanka athletics, anyone be it athletes or administrators in and sharing of knowledge between athletes. three school girls clocked under 13secs in the field of athletics. Those who know us These human values which promoted healthy the . All three girls K.G. Badra still seek our expert knowledge and advice. competition are absent now. Today the main 12.5, Melanie White 12.8, Manori Wijeratne Some of the present generation, do not have focus is money. Everything is motivated by 12.9 were coached by Wijedasa. Another of any idea about us. I would still love to impart money. This has resulted in standards and his products C.R. Ferdinando became the my knowledge to anyone who wishes to discipline in athletics and sports in general first school boy to clock under 50secs in the acquire it,” said Wijedasa who edited and sinking to a new low,” said Wijedasa who has 400m in 1978. published a athletics news and athletics over 30 years experience coaching National training hand book in all three languages - level athletes. “When I functioned as athletics coach of English, Sinhala and Tamil. He was also the Royal for 12 years between 1974 and 86, I Sri Lanka representative for Asian and World Born in 1932 and hailing from Ambalangoda, didn’t charge a cent from anyone as a coach athletics news publications. he received his education at Dharmasoka, that time. Today athletics and other sports Moratu Vidyalaya, and Ananda College, coaches are motivated by money. Also

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HE’S GOT THE MIDAS TOUCH EVERYTHING TURNS TO GOLD December 2019

HE’S GOT THE MIDAS TOUCH EVERYTHING TURNS TO GOLD