Friday 20th August, 2010 15

scored a breathtaking try, despite All Blacks player John Gallagher trying all he could to deny a try. Simpkins shocked journalists in Colombo last year when he said that the world was not fortunate to see more of Serevi’s exploits in rugby sevens, because a large number of his best games were not on tape. Going down memory lane to Serevi’s roots, he was born in 1968 in a place called Qarani, in Gau, . Rugby statisticians say that he took to rugby round about the year 1977, when Fiji beat the British Lions. He was so small at the start, many BY RAVI NAGAHAWATTE thought he might hurt himself play- ing rugby. But this Fijian grew in ith the sevens season having strength and stature and his success just begun we all recall how story in rugby is sure to have a place Wentertaining this form of among other heroic tales related by rugby is and how our own heroes have the islanders. performed in this abbreviated form of In 1993, he married Karalaini, who . is employed by the Fiji Defence We shall always think first of Services. Serevi and Karalaini were Hisham Abdeen and his team’s blessed with two daughters and a son, exploits at the Hong Kong Sevens and the latter being named Waisale then about those amazing Fijians who (Junior). performed rugby stints in this island Serevi made a brief comeback to in the domestic tournament. We saw rugby in 2005 and led Fiji to win the Apisi Nagata, Jalasi Radro, Meli World Cup Sevens Series. A national Nakuta, Manasanga Quoro, Kiti holiday was declared on March 24 Ratudradra, Bati Ponaiya, Nabuka when Fiji bought home the Word Cup. Gonalailai, Mope Rawuwu, Laisene He took up many roles after his Kotanwala, Ilatia Rowuwu and Jimi active playing career, as coach, TV Bolocoro, all Pacific Islanders, who presenter and administrator. He was gave Sri Lanka a taste of how rugby is even appointed Fiji’s national rugby played back in Fiji. coach, but that association with the But that ‘Fiji rugby show’ was saw how Serevi had mastered the art of was soured when he never complete because we didn’t see inspiring everybody on the field to give disputed a selection policy and later their best product, sevens legend off their best during training. His Senior DIG Nimal Lewke once told this writer that Kandy SC’s resigned. He was an ambassador for Waisale Serevi, play on home soil. presence was such that everybody Malik Samarawickreme had tried to give Serevi a playing contract, the bid to include rugby sevens at the Senior DIG Nimal Lewke once told this would have been bitten by the rugby Summer Olympics. He was also con- writer that Kandy SC’s Malik sevens bug if he sneezed. Former Fiji but it could not be arranged. However, Sri Lanka’s rugby crazy ferred with a sports doctorate from Samarawickreme had tried to give national rugby coach Wayne Pivac fans were in for a bit of luck last year when former Sri Lanka rugby Leeds Metropolitan University and Serevi a playing contract, but it could once told www.waisaleserevi.com “he was even appointed as a Special not be arranged. However, Sri Lanka’s brings others to the game and puts coach George Simpkins invited Serevi and the Papua New Guinea Inspector with the Fiji Police Force to rugby crazy fans were in for a bit of players into gaps.” team to Sri Lanka for the Carlton Sevens, when the Kiwi did so in do youth community policing. luck last year when former Sri Lanka Serevi made his debut for Fiji in the capacity of tournament director for the Carlton Sevens. Serevi would have been financially rugby coach George Simpkins invited 1989 and played sevens and 15-a-side rewarded by the numerous playing Serevi and the Papua New Guinea rugby, making a name for himself in Interestingly, Simpkins claims he is the one who spotted the skills contracts he had with clubs abroad. team to Sri Lanka for the Carlton the former as ‘best rugby sevens play- of Serevi, back in Fiji. But the reputation he has earned in Sevens, when the Kiwi did so in the er’ ever to take the field. Earning nick- rugby, which has made him a house- hold name, is much greater than all capacity of tournament director for names like The Magician, The Wizard, interviewing Serevi in Colombo last Serevi’s exploits were seen as early the monies he has earned through the Carlton Sevens. Interestingly, The Maestro, The Master, The Genius year and when asked what was the as in the third year of rugby when he rugby put together. A statement in his Simpkins claims he is the one who confirms his status in rugby sevens. secret behind his success he said it had a hand in Fiji scoring the best try personal website sums up his skills spotted the skills of Serevi, back in His best years in rugby were seen was God. It is reported in his official in the sevens history of rugby. This and the popularity he holds beautiful- Fiji. between 1989-2003, where he went on to website (www.waisaleserevi.com) that remarkable feat was recorded in 1990 ly; “Serevi is a household name, well- A handful of lucky rugby fans, who lead Fiji to win two Melrose Cups this celebrated rugby player had at the Hong Kong Sevens final when known for his ability to magically travelled to rugby venues during the (World Cups), Five Hong Kong Sevens inscribed a saying from the Bible – “I Noa Nandruku slung a one handed manufacture rugby space out of noth- Carlton Sevens, last year, saw Serevi titles, a gold Medal at the World Games can do all things through Christ who long pass to Serevi who in turn flicked ing and create plays like a work of practice with the Papua New Guinea and two silver medals at the strengthens me,” on his jersey, boots the ball between his legs to that art.” team. He also obliged as many auto- Commonwealth Games. and strapping for all his matches. dynamic winger Tomasi Cama who graph hunters as possible. This writer This writer had the honour of Long live the ‘Sevens King’!

Junior Tennis Nationals Lanka Cavaliers regain Tyronne de Silva Challenge trophy begin at SLTA

BY REVATA S. SILVA

The major junior tennis event of the year, the Junior Nationals, began at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association in Colombo on Wednesday (Aug. 18). Main Age Groups (both Girls and Boys) Singles - Years 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 and Under Doubles - 14 and Under and 18 and Under RESULTS ON WEDNESDAY, AUG. 18: Girls’ U-10 Main Draw: Round 1: Rashini Hasara bt Prabuddhi Perera (from Negombo) 9-7, Vishmi Kalansuriya (Bandarawela) bt Chanuka Atapattu 9-7. Round 2: Piyumi Wickramasinghe (Top seed) (Ratnapura) bt Ashna Nelson 9-0, V. Kalansuriya bt Dewmini Sashipraba (4) The chief guest, former President, MCA, Tyronne de Silva (left) presents the tro- President, MCA, Neil Perera (left) presents a trophy to the Most Oustanding Player, Basil Jayawardena of Lanka Cavaliers. (Negombo) 9-4, Umeshi Ranaweera (2) phy to the winning captain of Lanka Cavaliers, Bandula de Silva. (Ratnapura) bt Kavisha Madubashini 9-1 The 7th annual cricket encounter between MCA Committee recently. Boys’ U-10 - Qualifiers: Veterans and Lanka Cavaliers, played for the Tyronne de Lanka Cavaliers regained the trophy after three years, Mark Seneviratne, Supul Silva Challenge trophy was played at the MCA grounds beating MCA by nine wickets. Wickramasinghe, Akila Gunawardena and G. A. N. Y. Gunawardana. Main Draw: Round 1: Avindra Perera (1) bt Isira Rollback to February, 2010, India vs ogy to Amla and Morkel from Sehwag? when they know they are out, fielders Senanayake 9-1, Naveen Hirusha South Africa 2nd Test at Kolkota. Now, here is the same Sehwag taking do their worst to cheat a favorable deci- Kensaikhan Karate (Negombo) bt Kaveesha Anuradha 9-0, Hashim Amla who has scored a centu- high moral ground in his post-match sion out of the umpires; and wives and Supul Wickramasinghe bt Adhel Reza 9-4, ry, tries to take a single to change the interview and Twitter feeds. Talk girlfriends are sometimes brought into Association wins Rishi Wijeratne bt Dushan Wijetunga (8) 9- strike for the next over, Sehwag decid- about hypocrisy! the equation to rile an opponent.” 8 (2), B. K. Tharaka (3) (Ratnapura) bt ed to keep Amla at that end and the On the other side is our own SLC, We’re getting carried away with 14 medals tailend batsman (Morne Morkel) at the over-reacting. When Randiv this ICC spirit of cricket award, and Avika Kelegama 9-0, Akila Gunawardena Competitors representing the other. appoligised and Sehwag accepted, the that seems to be the only award we bt Kaushika Rathnayake 9-3, Yasith Kensaikhan Karate Association won Amla’s shot care Ratnayake (6) bt Agraja Wijeywardana 9-1, five gold, two silver and seven bronze was worth a about. Vibuda Wijebandara (5) bt Rahal medals at the 6th Shethoriu boundary. The Rambukpotha, Chanith de Silva bt Mark Shukokau International Open Karate However, SL team Seneviratne 9-4, Nadun Senadheera bt competition, held at the Sugathadasa Sehwag did not Sehwag taking high moral ground! has two Indoor Stadium, Colombo, recently. Manish de Silva 9-3, S. Innthujan (4) bt want to take a Women’s Kumithe events: Venushka de Silva 9-1, Shaun Sanderson chance. Instead K. Mallika Ranawera (gold) (7) bt Aaran Dewangan 9-0, Pulasthi Peiris of waiting to watch the ball gently go Letter approaches with all these uncessary Malsha Alwis, Bernie Fernando, (Negombo) bt Thisaru Maduwanga 9-3, over the ropes, after giving chase, drama unfolding. Either it can be Bhagya Sewvandi (black belt) Sanji Poobalakumar bt Rakesh Sehwag kicked the ball over the bound- matter should’ve been considered demoralised and distracted, or else use (bronze) Ratnasingham 9-3, Nuwantha Dissanayake ary and then, indicated it was a four. closed. As Sambit Bal of Cricinfo put this to galvanize the team and create a Men’s Kumithe events: Manoj Jayawardana Thilakshan (2) bt Banura Jayawardena 9-0 The umpires were having none of it; “But he (Randiv) broke no law; he deep bond among team members. Fans Fernando, Supul Gunewardana, J. Boys’ U-14 – Qualifiers: it, promptly awarding five penalty didn’t even contravene the ICC code of are always with you, and please do play Jegadishwaran (gold), Chamara Krishanthan Rajendrasingham, Jerique runs. conduct as it is laid out. He can be aggressive cricket (within the law of Kasthuriarachchi, Nishantha Rajapakse, Ashiru Liyanage and Harsha What did the Indian Board do after accused of breaching the spirit of the the game). Kumara (silver), Sadeepa Peiris. that? (Now that was a clear breach of game, but the spirit of cricket is a Hiran Liyanage, Abeysekera, S. Sudarkar, Dimuthu cricket law). Was there at least an apol- fuzzy concept. Batsmen rarely walk New York, NY. Lakshan, Gayan Asela (bronze).