IPL to Be Played in South Africa
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14 Wednesday 25th March, 2009 Legends never die A Tribute to Clifford SL use psychology to Ratnavibushana Where do I begin to tell the story of a friend? Clifford was already a legend when I joined Kingswood. Today, he is no longer among us. toughen up for HK Sevens 22nd March 2009, the grand final of the schools Clifford By Ravi Nagahawatte rugby curtain raiser, the Rugby Sevens was over. ri Lanka’s rugby sevens team is Kingswood had just won the game reported to have tapped the against Trinity (the first and second Sservices of the country’s biggest rugby playing schools in Sri Lanka) in made rugby players from the 15-a- a game worthy of champions. As the side national squad and drafted them final whistle blew, among the euphoria, into vital training sessions to pre- Clifford too crossed the finishing line, a pare for the challenges ahead, in winner. There was no better way to go. Hong Kong. Clifford was on the committee that The team’s fitness trainer helped Rugby regain its pride of place Mohotilal Jayatilake told ‘The at Kingswood. He was better known for Island’ that he along with national his epic knock of 168 in the Big Match coach George Simpkins had of 1959 against Dharmaraja, when he arranged the practice sessions in led the cricket team. A versatile sports- such a manner that the sevens play- man, Clifford also excelled in football, ers got ample opportunities to get hockey and athletics and was a mem- accustomed to tackling big made ber of the famous relay quartet. He players. completed his school career as Senior Prefect. “These drills were specially Three score years and ten, almost to organized to mentally toughen the the day, until he passed away, he players. We told the players to visual- remained a great leader, sportsman, ize that the bigger made players from father, husband and friend. Yes, I call the 15-a-side national pool were oppo- him friend even though he belonged to nents from New Zealand and a generation before me. Clifford epito- Australia. The players got used to mized the Gentleman of Kingswood. training with fatigue. These drills Loyal and true to himself, his school will help the players when coming in and those that nurtured him. close contact with big players of the Always with a ‘never give up atti- opposite teams,” said Jayatilake. tude’ that encouraged and inspired Sri Lanka faces a daunting task in both young and old around him, he playing New Zealand on the first day gave back much more than he received. of the Hong Kong Sevens and lock His wife Lilanthi was a perfect help- horns with Australia and Zimbabwe mate and together they traveled many on the second day of the tournament. a mile until her demise just a little The Hong Kong Sevens is part of the more than a year ago. IRB Sevens World Series 2008/09 and There will be an empty chair at the will be worked off on March 27-29 at meetings of the Kingswood Union, the Hong Kong Stadium. Sri Lanka plays against Fiji in the Hong Kong Sevens in 2007. Sri Lanka has often been exposed for lacking the size to play where he once presided and a void Jayatilake said that the national contact rugby in international rugby matches. However, the islanders have made amends for this handicap by using speed and hard to fill. The last message from his rugby team should do these drills agility which they have in abundance. Sri Lanka will play against New Zealand, Australia and Zimbabwe at this year’s Hong Kong mailbox was about the planned com- more often. “I am not entirely happy Sevens. (AP File photo). mittee outing he had organized. with the duration given to me to pre- Arith and Aruni we grieve with pare the team for the Hong Kong you and the family, but we know, He is have the services of seven key play- ens rugby this season is qualifying Arunashantha, and Dilanka Sevens. These sessions are good but in a better place with ammi safe in the ers due to some being injured and the for the Plate Championship final of Wijesekare. it all depends on how much of it was arms of the creator. others being not available for selec- the IRB Rugby World Cup which con- New Zealand squad: DJ Forbes absorbed by the players. One has to We will not be short of memories, tion. cluded in Dubai, this month. (Captain),Tomasi Cama, Paul have a large heart for such brutal for Clifford was a legend and legends Despite the setback, the team’s Sri Lanka along with Korea Grant, Nigel Hunt, Zar Lawrence, training sessions. The boys did well never die. during these hard training sessions,” coach Gordon Tietjens has been quot- (Group A), Japan, China (Both Group Tim Mikkelson, Jordan Puletua, The remains of Clifford said Jayatilake. ed in the IRB website saying, “There B), Hong Kong (Group D) and Lote Raikabula, Julian Savea, Ben Ratnavibushana will be lying at A. F. He said that the country’s rugby is a lot riding on these next two week- Chinese Taipei (Group E) will be the Souness, Chad Tuoro and Victor Raymond’s Funeral Parlour from 8 administrators should have more ends as there are extra points on Asian teams contesting the Hong Vito. a.m. to 3 p.m today Wednesday 25th development squads and think of offer in Hong Kong, and we are only Kong Sevens this year. Australia squad: William March. starting preparations for next year’s one win away from challenging for In the IRB Sevens World Series Bishop, William Brock, Shaun The Cortege will leave A. F. Hong Kong Sevens now itself. “All the Sevens lead”. New Zealand which tournaments played to date, South Foley, Dane Haylett-Petty, Jonathan Raymond’s Funeral Parlour at 3.00 these preparations are good but noth- is rated third in IRB Sevens rugby, Africa has won twice (In Dubai and Jenkins, Richard Kingi, Benjamin p.m. today to his Residence at No 23, ing can substitute international failed to win any one of the IRB South Africa) while England and McCalman, Luke Morahan, Damon Laxapathiya Road, Moratuwa. match practice. Sri Lanka needs to Sevens World Series tournaments Argentina have won one each in New Murphy, Brian Sefanaia, Domonic Thereafter the cortege will leave play more international rugby,” he worked off in Dubai, South Africa, Zealand and USA respectively. Shipperley and Henry Vanderglas the Residence at 3.30 p.m. on Thursday said. New Zealand and USA. Sri Lanka squad: Fazil Marija Zimbabwe (Probable squad): 26th for a Service at the Methodist Sri Lanka’s first match opponent Australian sevens coach Michael (Captain), Mohammed Sheriff, Alex Ndangana, Gordon Pangetti, Church at Mt. Lavinia (Hotel Road) at New Zealand has experienced a O’Connor has told the IRB website Gayan Weeraratne, Saliya Kumara, Grant Mitchell, Gerald Sibanda, 4.00 p.m. The Cremation will take rough ride in the IRB Sevens World that the draw in Hong Kong wasn’t Pradeep Liyanage, Sanjeewa Ryan Manyika, Daniel Hondo, place at the Mt. Lavinia Crematorium Series due to the team being hit by easy and he expected his team to win Jayasinghe, Radeeka Cleopas Makotose, Slater Ndlovu, at 5 p.m. thereafter. injuries. According to the IRB offi- all matches if they intended to win Hettiarachchi, Sajith Saranga, Gardner Nechironga, Willis Ian Ferdinands cial website, the All Blacks will not the Hong Kong leg. The only notable Dinusha Chathuranga, Chanaka Magasa, Tangai Nemadire and performance by Australia in IRB sev- Chandimal, Suranga Wensley Mbanje. Hilton Colombo’s Echelon Pub winner IPL to be played in takes off to Paris! South Africa JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The Indian Premier League’s Twenty20 cricket tournament will be played in South Africa from April 18. “The overwhelming reason we chose South Africa is primari- ly the weather,” said IPL chair- man Lalit Modi, who met with Cricket South Africa chief execu- tive Gerald Majola on Tuesday. Modi also said South Africa had first-class facilities and excellent administration. England and South Africa were the two candidates to host the lucrative event. The tourna- Hilton Colombo conclud- Jerome Auvity (extreme ment is being moved for security ed yet another unique pro- right) handing over the reasons because it clashes with motion at the Echelon Pub grand prize to the winner T. general elections in India. In during the six Nations D. Tillekeratne and South Africa, elections are set for Rugby Championships Mohamed Gayani together April 22. where for every Rs. 500/- with Rajeewa Jayaweera, “The decision to move the spent guest were entitled to Regional Manager, Qatar tournament outside India was take part in the grand raffle Airways (extreme left) hand- one of the hardest decisions the draw on the last day of the ing over the airline ticket. board has taken,” said Modi, not- Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Lalit Modi, second right, speaks to the media as Kolkata Knight riders cricket match. The grand prize was Auvity said “Despite the ing that Indian fans were disap- team owner Shah Rukh Khan, left, and team Mohali’s owner Priety Zinta, right, look on after a meeting with IPL fran- two return air tickets cour- rather poor performance of pointed, but that TV coverage for chise owners in Mumbai, India, Sunday, March 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade) tesy Qatar Airways to Paris France, in the true rugby them would include live broad- with complimentary accom- spirit, I congratulate Ireland casts of key matches.