Tuesday 26th October, 2010 15

‘This is the best with an elite, but homely crowd, enter- Dullewa who heads a dynamic commit- club was a driving force in domestic Letter club in town, but tain themselves at the discotheque or tee. and international rugby tourna- we want to make at the karaoke, eat out at the Dullewa said the club experienced a ments. “CH&FC rugby was at its it better,’ says SLC’s shameful Lebanese restaurant, taste ‘Kollu’’s bad patch a few years ago when a mem- best till about 1994 and then again Shane Dullewa President specials at Lemon, hang around at ber took some office bearers in the com- in the year 2000. But our rugby has CH&FC. the silk bar lounge, take a dip at mittee to courts. He however, added that taken a nosedive and we are work- conduct the roof top pool or even attend the allegations levelled against them ing hard to get right back on top,” The prestigious ICC 2011 World Cup to banking needs at the HSBC were never proved and the defendants said Dullewa. in subcontinent is just over five months outlet at the club. got a clean sheet by the court of law. He related the drop in rugby at away. In this backdrop the Sri Lankan The club has under- Dulewa believes in maintaining the CH&FC to the sport going profes- administrators appear to be grop- ing in the dark. is one of the gone several changes club’s rich traditions. The top posts in sional. “Now there is no club loyal- host countries in the tournament, where which have come in the club were filled uncontested in the ty and allowances to players play a she will stage matches at three venues; the form of new past. But there was time when a hand- key role in deciding who plays for The Pallekele International Cricket structures like the ful of individuals believed it was which club. It’s not that we haven’t Stadium near Kandy, the Mahinda indoor cricket alright to go for a vote. The club had paid our players well, but then, Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium nets, gymna- suffered a lot during this time accord- gone seem the days when players in Hambantota and the R. Premadasa sium and ing to Dullewa. However, those dark joined the club not only for rugby,” International Stadium in . Getting these venues prepared to clouds have blown away and the club said Dullewa. international standards appear to be once again displays a kind of splen- The club’s ground was also a moving at snail pace. Have the board dour which makes members think it’s sought after venue for . members taken a leaf from what tran- their second a home. According to Dullewa. CCC boasts spired in India’s preparation to stage the This was not the case many years of being the world’s 57th Test 19th Commonwealth Games in New ago when the club was exclusively open venue and intends putting it on Delhi, which came in for much criticism only for the expatriate community in line again as a sought after Test and it called for a last ditch effort to Sri Lanka. The club was established in venue. stage the games successfully. This should be a wake up call to the 1863 and named Colombo Cricket Club. Cricketers in the likes of members of the Cricket Interim Roshan Mahanama, Sanath Committee. The irony is that at the helm Jayasuriya, Jehan Mubarak, of Sri Lankan Cricket we have in the Michael Van Dort, Athula Interim Committee as Chairman D. S. de Samarasekera and, before that, Roy Silva, a man steeped in blatant nepotism. Dias and Michael Tissera had rep- A case in point is the appointment of his resented the club at domestic crick- two nephews for lucrative posts in the World Cup 2011 Secretariat for which et tournaments. “Even in cricket, they are paid fabulous sums of money, the club could do better. We will for square pegs in round holes. come back in a big way in cricket,” In this backdrop we have a lethargic said Dullewa. He added that there secretary Nishantha Ranatunga, who is were big plans for hockey as well. alleged to have played a pivotal role in According to Dullewa, the mem- removing former CEO Dulip Mendis. bers of CH&FC hold reciprocal Nishantha is one who takes wings to membership at Singapore Cricket overseas cricket events at the drop of a hat. In this context he has been airborne Club, Malaysia Seylangor Club, on thirty occasions for which he is said Madras Gymkhana, Bombay to have pocketed millions of rupees BY RAVI NAGAHAWATTE Gymkhana and Kenyan Gymkhana doing sweet nothing in the interest of Sri squash courts. But what’s inspiring is There were two other arms of the club Club. “At present we are just about Lankan cricket. olombo Hockey & Football Club that the present administrators who at the time, CH&FC at Race Course to start a membership drive,” said In this scenario what takes the cake is (CH&FC) has stood tall as a ‘fam- the affairs of the club are looking (1892) and the Queen’s Club (1899), the Dullewa. that Hon. C. B. Ratnayaka having Cily club’ in its pristine location at for ways of improvement. They are con- latter where members were offered the The others serving Dullewa’s assumed duties as Sports Minister opted to open a can of worms when he stated Maitland Crescent, in Colombo 7. cerned about the little changes which opportunity to play tennis. The committee are Shiran Anthony that Sri Lankan Cricket is the third most Its status as a place for entertain- need to be done to improve the overall Queen’s Club is still a part of the club. (Vice Chairman), Commodore corrupt institution and was hell bent on ment, to socialize and engage in sport picture of the club. It was as late as 1965 when the club Russell Korkevan (Secretary) and getting rid of these corrupt elements. He has always been at lofty heights. The President CH&FC, Shane Dullewa opened the doors for locals to repre- Prasantha Wimalasena (Treasurer). failed to realise he was flogging a dead club’s committee has time and again said the Gymkhana Club was the best sent CH&FC at sport. At present we “One requirement I put across to horse. These men are riding the high come up with innovative ideas to sports and social club in the country, can see that the club is used more by all in our committee was for every- horse because of the political backing improve the facilities for its 1000 odd but he wants that place cemented. “We Sri Lankans than expatriates. body to give 200%,” said Dullewa they receive from the present regime. No members. As a result, CH&FC-also always look for improvements and add A sport that has helped the club to who added, “this is the best club in wonder C. B.’s mouthing came a cropper. These big guns in the interim com- known as Gymkhana club-affords its new features with the view of giving establish its identity is rugby. Dullewa town, but we want to make it bet- mittee D. S. and Nishantha have been members the opportunity to socialize the members a better service,” said spoke of the good old days when the ter.” just warming their seats with only one desire to feather their own nest uncon- cerned about the financial resources of SLC. Under their leadership Sri Lankan Cricket appears to be barking up the wrong tree. The latest fiasco is that they have given the young Under-19 cricketers, Visakha’s swimmers a taste of how to throw away a match. This transpired during a one-day encounter against England Under-19 in Kent in August this year when they were dominate Aquatic Sports leading 2-1 and had the prospects of win- ning the series. This scenario was due to Visakha’s senior swimmers with 221 Principal Mrs. Sandamalie Aviruppola, a mess created in the handling of travel points emerged Women’s National Deputy Principal Miss. Sujatha Devendra, arrangements. In this aspect, the finger could be pointed at the Board of Control Champions at the 2010 National Aquatic Teacher-in-Charge of Physical Training for Cricket in Sri Lanka. The duo of D. S. Championships held at Mrs. Muditha Liyanapathirana and the de Silva and Nishantha Ranatunga swimming complex recently. The juniors Teacher-in-Charge of Swimming Mrs. appear to fiddle like how Nero did, when emerged second runners-up at the Junior Jayani Jayaweera. Sri Lankan Cricket is burning. National Championships. Nishantha de Costa, Head Coach for Rex Wijewardene Nadeera Jayasekera, top national swim- Visakha trained the team with dedication Dehiwela mer for Visakha, clinched two Golds, one and not only placed the young swimmers in Silver and one Bronze to her personal credit the box seat for the year 2010 but also creat- while Hashini Mathew won one Silver. The ed history by winning this great event. Haddin, Siddle Visakians came with flying colours winning The Visakians performed brilliantly to first places in four relays and a second place win the Junior Nationals Diving recalled for Australia’s in one. Championships with Nethmi Liyanage win- In the junior category, Sewwandi Perera ning two Gold Medals in the 1m and 3m T20 squad grabbed one Gold and two Bronze medals. spring board diving events. Yenushka , Australia (AP) - Lyceum win International The juniors secured three 3rd places in Senanayake won a Bronze in the 1m spring -keeper and paceman relay events. board diving event while Nethmi Liyanage Peter Siddle are expected to return from Visakha’s victorious team at the was adjudged the Best Diver in the Girls injuries for Australia’s opening match of the 2010-11 summer season after being National Aquatic Championships comprised Junior National category. included Monday in the squad to Schools U-15 cricket Damya Seneviratne, Karieshinie Peiris, The graceful Synchronized Swimmers - play Sri Lanka. Nadeera Jayasekera, Dunya Perera, Hashini Malveena Jayawardana, Yoshini Liyanage, Michael Clarke will lead the squad At the final of the Lyceum, Nugegoda 172/7 Mathew, Cherani de Silva, Chathurika Elisha Gomes, Limashi Kosgodage and against Sri Lanka in Perth on Sunday. International School Under-15 (40 overs) Perera and Charindee Weerasinghe. Aneka Abeywickrama were trained by Miss. allrounder was Cricket Tournament, Lyceum (Nishantha Perera 77, Nisal Visakha’s aquatic teams also attribute Rovini Illukumbura and carried away the also recalled after having a break during International Schools, Goonasinghe 12, Viroshana their success to the unstinted support of the National Synchronized Trophy. Australia’s rain-restricted 1-0 limited-overs Nugegoda recorded a thrilling Herath 16, Shanith Rupasinghe series loss in India. 17-run victory over Gateway 12; Visal Gunaratne 4/29, Adib and Mike Hussey International School, Colombo Hassen 2/34) were omitted from the T20 line-up in order to emerge champions. Sixteen Gateway, Colombo 155/8 (40 to play domestic first-class cricket to pre- schools participated at this tour- overs) pare for the upcoming Ashes series nament conducted by Belvoir (Visal Gunaratne 28, against England. College Internationals. Chethana Weerasinghe 24, Haddin has overcome a persistent In the semi-finals, Lyceum Izmer Mohammad 44 n.o., elbow injury and will resume his spot at the expense of , who covered as International School, Nugegoda Suresh Fernando 14; Nisal wicket-keeper in the 2-0 Test series loss beat Lyceum International Goonasinghe 3/28, Nishan and the ODI series loss in India this School, Wattala. Perera 3/29, Shanith month. Brief Scores: Rupasinghe 2/25). Siddle recovered from a back injury to win one of four fast spots in the 12-man T20 squad. The other pacemen are Dirk Nannes, Clint McKay and John Dinesha steers Colts to Hastings. “It’s exciting to see the return of Peter Siddle and Brad Haddin into international emphatic win cricket as part of this squad,” Australian selector Andrew Hilditch said. “Peter is a National cap Dinesha Perera led 4-0. Dinesha Perera was in key bowler in all forms of the game. gave a magnificent perform- cracking form scoring six goals The Visakha Vidyalaya Swimming Team “It is unfortunate for Tim Paine, hav- ance by scoring a double hat- while skipper Jayathi Anupama Second Row (standing left to right) - Shaleena Peiris, Sithumi Karunaratne, Amodini ing played so well for Australia recently, to miss out on this squad but Brad has made trick to guide Colts Cricket and Kusala Perera scored a goal Jayawardane, Dewni Jayasinghe, Thusari Ekanayake, Disuri Kalara, Chathurika Perera, a very good recovery from his elbow Club to an emphatic 8-0 victory apiece. Thisuri Mendis, Gihini Nawela, Nadishka Senanayake and Rashmi Jayasinghe. injury and is an established member of over BRC in the first League Colts Cricket Club are the First Row (standing left to right) - Yenushka Senanayake, Sewwandi Perera, Charindee our side in all forms of the game.” match for womens’ category, defending champions having Weerasinghe, Cherani de Silva, Nadeera Jayasekera, Hashini Mathew, Dunya Perera and Squad: Michael Clarke (), conducted by the Colombo won both the league and knock- Janeethri Kulawardane. , Brad Haddin, John Hockey Association and worked out titles last year. Seated (left to right) - Damya Seneviratne (Captain), Mrs. Jayani Jayaweera (Teacher-in- Hastings, , Clint McKay, Dirk out at Malay Grounds last The match was umpired by Charge), Miss. Sujatha Devendra (Deputy Principal), Mrs. Sandamali Aviruppola (Principal), Nannes, Stephen O’Keefe, Peter Siddle, Sunday. T.D.K.S. Perera and G. Mrs. Muditha Liyanapathirana (Teacher-in-Charge, Physical Training), Mr. Nishantha de , and Shane At half time, the winners Dissanayake. Costa (Head Coach) and Karieshinie Peiris (Vice Captain). Watson.