Wednesday 2nd December, 2009 15

Reemus Fernando understand what it makes reporting from Dambulla to be a good fielder,” said SL U-19 likely to go unchanged Chandana, who was hand- ormer play- picked by SLC authorities er to handle the fielding for second match Fbelieves that the com- department. mitment and eagerness “The environment I shown by players to learn work is also conducive. I were the reasons for Sri am lucky to work with for- Lanka Under-19’s improved mer players like Aravinda standard of fielding, as Sri Lanka Under-19 (consultant coach) and they gear up for the forth- fielding coach, Upul Nawaz (coach) and other coming ICC Youth World Chandana talks to coaching staff who are Cup in New Zealand. ‘The Island’. committed to improving “The players are com- standards,” said Chandana. mitted and they are keen on Asked about his aims in putting into practice what coaching, Chandana said is taught. That is the key that his prime target is to for their success in the make the Sri Lanka Under- fielding department,” 19 the best fielding outfit at

All rounder Danushka Gunathilaka (L) listens to Sri Lanka U-19 coach, Naveed Nawaz, at a practice session ahead of the Sri Lanka Under-19 Vs Pakistan U-19 match, which will be played at Dambulla today. (Pic by Reemus Fernando) Reemus Fernando against Bangladesh at the newly opened reporting from Dambulla Pallekele ground. not lost touch. That shows that they The Sri Lanka Under-19 team man- The combination of fast bowlers Chandana told ‘The Island’ in an have grasped the finer points we have the forthcoming Under-19 World Cup. agement is likely to stick to the same worked well for Sri Lanka in the match interview on Monday, after Sri Lanka been teaching them,” Chandana said. “My prime target is to train this side side that won the first match in the Tri- against Bangladesh. Of the eight wick- Under-19 beat their Bangladesh coun- “When we began, the weaknesses to be the best fielding side at the Nation Under-19 tournament for their ets that fell to bowlers, the pacies terparts here in Dambulla. of each and every player were identi- World Cup. When that is achieved we match against Pakistan Under-19 which accounted for six. Sri Lanka went with Playing their first match of the fied and their errors had to be recti- would be very close to winning the will be played here at Dambulla, today. Chathura Peiris, Charith Jayampathi, Under-19 Tri-Nation tournament also fied, on field. Earlier, I used to walk World Cup,” Chandana said. Management sources said that the Lahiru Jayaratne and fast bowling all involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka made up to them during matches and point “If you are a good fielding side, team is likely to be the same for today’s rounder, Danushka Gunathilaka. their opponents toil hard for runs and out the mistakes. We played a lot of you can frustrate the batsmen and put match as the combination of four fast Meanwhile, Pakistan has a strong frustrated them with sharp fielding. practice matches and it helped us to pressure on them. And when that hap- bowlers worked well for the hosts on pace attack and they will also look for- The close in fielders showed that they point out their mistakes. That was a pens, you are in the process of beating Monday. ward to get the maximum out of the could disappoint batsmen who took huge benefit. Now the number of them,” Chandana explained. Sri Lanka Under-19 beat conditions. chances against their sharp throwing. times I have to walk up to them has Chandana also requested all future Bangladesh, according to the Teams: They produced direct hits on more been reduced. I see a huge improve- prospects to work hard on their field- Duckworth-Lewis system in their first Sri Lanka Under-19 (Probable): Chathura than one occasion. Skipper Chathura ment in their fielding. Everyone has ing as the weaknesses in that depart- match which was affected twice by rain Peiris (), Bhanuka Rajapakse, Andri Peiris was one such player who improved,” Chandana explained. ment could cost them their place in on Monday. While the Sri Lankan pace- Berenger, Kithruwan Vithanage, Udara caused a run out with a direct hit to Asked as to how he could he the junior teams. “Nowadays, there is men impressed on the Dambulla strip, Jayasundara, Rumesh Buddhika, Yasodha set in motion a sudden top order col- adjust to coaching having no past no guarantee that a player will retain Bangladesh, who employed nine Lanka, Rushan Jaleel, Danushka Gunathilaka, lapse. experience as a coach, Chandana said his place in the side however good he bowlers (three pacemen), managed to Lahiru Jayaratne and Charith Jayampathi. “This set of players are eager to that it was his experience as a player maybe as a batsman or a bowler, if pick up just three . Pakistan Under-19 from: Azeem Ghumman learn. Because of that, there is a dra- that helped him to fine tune the play- you happen to be a poor fielder. So The match is of huge importance to matic improvement in the standard of ers. “The experience I gained as an every junior cricketer must work hard both the hosts and the Pakistanis as (Captain), Babr Azam, Ahmed Shahzad, fielding. During the past few weeks, international player helped me a lot. on their fielding to be considered a they take the field unbeaten today. Both Hammad Azam, Muzamil Nizam, Mehran we couldn’t have on field training Sometimes, it is my own experiences contender for junior teams,” teams have one win each, but the hosts Ibrahim, Mohammad Owais, Usman Qadir, because of rain, but the players have as a player that I use to make them Chandana said. will have a slight edge, having got accus- Raza Hassan, Junaid Llyas, Abdur Ameer, tomed to the conditions at Dambulla. Kaleem Sana, Fayyaz Butt, Maroof Aziz and Pakistan recorded their victory Sarmad Bhatti. The ‘Saints’ will battle it out in the field Their team-mates in this venture - the invited to attend the carnival. once again when Josephians and Peterites Peterite Batch Group of 1995–2000 has been The organizers of the event have made from all batches take bat and ball to hand to active for over six years now and has been all arrangements to provide entertainment determine the strongest team of them all. the livewire in many Peterite centric col- the entire day with refreshment stalls, a The ‘Battle of the Saints’ Cricket lege events, contributing significantly special Kiddie’s Corner with a Bouncer and Omesh and Carnival which will take place on towards the success of these initiatives. Merry-go-Round, special competitions, DJ December 6, at St. Peter’s College Grounds The group focuses on two main objectives, music and a ‘Papare’ band to ensure that Solanji win will play host to over 32 six-a-side the whole family can enjoy a memorable teams. Organised by the Josephian day out. top awards Batch Group of ’99 and the Peterite The Platinum sponsor for this year’s Batch Group of 1995 – 2000, this event will be Salonpas, the world by Madura Nandana cricket carnival, promises much fun and renowned brand used to remedy muscu- and frolic for the whole family from Joes Petes lar and joint pains. Omesh Anthony of S. the time the first ball is being bowled The product is manufactured by Thomas’ College, Mount Lavania, at 8.30 am. Hisamitsu, which is a Japanese pharma- and Solanji Christina of St. The event, which coincides with at ‘Battle of the Saints’ ceutical company with over 150 years Joseph’s Girls’ School, Omesh Anthony receives the award for the Best the 5th Anniversary of the establish- experience in the industry. The Nugegoda, won the Best Sportsman from Sports and Recreation Minister, ment of the Josephian Batch Group Salonpas brand a household name in Sri Sportsman and Best of 1999, is now a permanent feature Lanka is marketed by Akbar Gamini Lokuge. (Pic by Anton Fernando) Cricket Carnival Sportswoman awards at the in the annual calendar of both broth- Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd er schools, with either school hosting Old boys of both colleges (even as Piliyandala Educational Division schools in the division received the tournament each alternate year. which are, to establish links and contacts recent as the batch of 2008/9) are free to Sports Colours Awards ceremony held awards. The chief guest at the event The Josephian Batch of ‘99 was initially among fellow batch members and con- register for this tournament. Josephians – at Piliyandala MV recently. was Sports and Recreation Minister, formed to foster fellowship amidst batch tribute towards the advancement of mem- Please contact Crispin – 0777-685496, Dinuk More than 400 students from 24 Gamini Lokuge. mates and help the college in whatever bers in their respective disciplines and W.– 0777-730065, Dhamithra – 0773-667108 or means possible. The construction of a also, to contribute collectively towards Shameera - 0773 064805. Peterites – please media room, fully equipped with multi- activities of the college. register with Suren – 0777-567889, Nirmal – media facilities etc., was their largest and All present and past Josephians and 0777-571580, Crishantha – 0715-344326 or most recent successful undertaking. Peterites, their families and friends are Uditha – 0777-712052.

Navy wins National Sailing Championship

The Navy Sailing Pool third. emerged victorious at the In the Laser Class event, T. National Sailing T. B. Kodituwakku won first Championship 2009 held at the place and K. G. C. U. S. Bolgoda Lake on November 28 Bandara came third. and 29. The National Sailing All three places in the Championship is a major Enterprise Class event were event in the local sailing calen- won by the Navy. W. P. K. dar. It draws many profession- Janaka (helm) and W. A. R. al sailors from sailing clubs in Nishantha (crew) won first the country. The winning of place while R. P. I. this major title has brought Pushpakumara (helm) and W. glory to the Navy as sailing is P. U. S. Kumara (crew) came a sporting event which is syn- Nalanda College, Colombo won the Sarath Weerasekara Trophy annual football second. N. G. M. U. onymous with the Navy. encounter, beating Ananda College, Colombo. The Nalanda captain receives the Gnanawardane (helm) and A. P. S. K. Soysa (crew) came (SLN media rlease) trophy from Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara. Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris and the Principals of Ananda, Nalanda are also in the picture. MJM Lafir Memorial Billiards and Snooker opening ceremony today The opening ceremony of the 8th MJM four groups on a knockout basis. Each will go through a knockout process in four Lafir Memorial Billiards and Snooker group will consist of 16 players while up different groups, before the best four of Championship will be held today to the last 16, all matches will be played as each will qualify to play along with Sri (Wednesday) at the fully equipped air con- best-of-3-frames. Lanka’s best four players in KH Sirisoma, ditioned MICH Billiards Parlour at No. The four winners from each group will SHM Aslam, MJ Thasleem and Thishan 115, Dematagoda Road, Maradana. join Sri Lanka’s No.1 snooker player Samarasinghe in a round robin format. The matches will commence tomor- Susantha Boteju, No.2 Ryan Somaratne The best two of each group will row, according to the organizers of the and two ranked players from India in the advance to the semifinals and the final tournament. This was revealed at a press quarterfinals where matches will be which is also scheduled for December 12 conference held on Monday at Maradana played as best-of-5-frames. The eight play- at 10.00 am. to officially announce the tournament ers will play in a round robin format in The tournament is organized by the which was held back in the last decade two different groups and the best two of Social & Recreation Committee of the due to various reasons. each group will play in semifinals, fol- Moors’ Islamic Cultural Home (MICH) in Altogether 83 players have registered lowed by the final which is scheduled for memory of MJM Lafir, who brought fame to play in both forms of the game. Out of December 12 at 1.00 pm. to Sri Lanka with the first ever World title, Seated from left: MJM Azwer, Fareen Ghouse, Nilam Mansoor, Ansar that, 64 players will compete in snooker in In the billiards tournament, 19 players in 1973. Samsudeen and Fawmy Rauf of the MICH at the press briefing.