Sri Lanka News Briefs (17 Dec 1995)

SRI LANKA SPORTS NEWS AT-A-GLANCE

Compiled by Dinesh Weerawansa

Indian President asked to skip World Cup opening

The National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication - NOTE,an Indian anti-smoking organisation,requested Indian President Shankar Dayal Sharma not to grace the inauguration ceremony of the World Cup cricket tournament because of a sponsorship deal with a tobacco firm.

The NOTE has written to the president urging him not to attend the opening ceremony at Eden Gardens, Calcutta on February 11 as the event is sponsored by a cigarette company. The NOTE gave an example set by next year`s Atlanta summer Olympic Games, which had been declared `smoke-free` and would not accept sponsorship from cigarette companies.

Calcutta getting ready for World Cup

The Eden Gardens,Calcutta has been chosen as the inaugural venue for the World Cup tournament which will be officially known as the `Wills World Cup 1996`. The opening ceremony is scheduled for February 11. The re-construction work of the grounds are now on and the organisers said it will be ready by end of next month.

Dhanapala leads Old Trinitians

Former Trinity College and University allrounder Dr.Sapumal Dhanapala will lead the Old Trinitians Sports Club in their limited over cricket match against the visiting Karachi Airport Gymkhana Cricket Club to be played at Katugastota on Saturday (16).

The visiting team will be led by former Pakistani Test batsman Aftab Balooch.

Source :: Lake House/Lanka Internet Services Ltd