Sri Lanka news round-up (25 Sep 1997)

Thursday 25, September 1997

SRI LANKA SPORTS NEWS AT-A-GLANCE

Compiled by Dinesh Weerawansa

* Sri Lanka has been drawn in `Red Group' with the West Indies and the top seeds South Africa for the Hong Kong Sixers tournament to be worked off in Hong Kong on Saturday and Sunday. Sri Lanka team, led by Romesh Kaluwitharana, has only been ranked No.7, ahead of Bangladesh and the hosts Hong Kong.

The `Blue Group' comprise Australia, India and Bangladesh while England, Pakistan and Hong Kong have been drawn in `Green Group'. The 1997 Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes tournament is promoted by Cricket World International, and presented by the Hong Kong Cricket Association. Australia, Bangladesh, England, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies will clash for honours and the Cup winners will receive HK $ 247,500.

The Prizes: Cup Winner $247,500, Cup Runner Up $123,750, Plate Winner $74,250, Plate Runner Up $57,250, 3rd Place Sobers $41,250, 3rd Place Bradman $41,250, Bowl Winner $33,000, Cowdrey 2nd place $24,750,

Cowdrey 3rd place $16,500. * The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah Bokhari, called on President Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari in Islamabad. Reliable source said the meeting lasted for nearly 30 minutes.

However, details of the meeting were not immediately known as Bokhari returned to Lahore later. It is anticipated that the meeting might have revolved around the forthcoming international matches to be played in the 1997-98 season which marks Pakistan's golden jubilee celebrations.

The PCB is holding a four-nation tournament for Jinnah Cup in November too mark the country's golden jubilee of independence. (Home):

* An unbeaten century by S. Boteju enabled Cosmos Sports Club, Bandarawela to beat Kandegedera SC by 160 runs in their Badulla District limited over cricket encounter played at the Badulla Esplanade.

Twenty-two teams are participating in this tournament organised by the Badulla District Cricket Association where two matches are being played on a day. Cosmos SC batting first scored 240 runs for 4 wickets in 30 overs while Kandegedera SC were all out for 80 runs in 22.4 overs. HOCKEY (Home):

* Old Uvites Sports Club scored a hard fought 2-0 victory over their present boys - Uva College, in their Badulla league hockey encounter played at the Vincent Dias Stadium.

Uva College did creditably to hold the Old Uvites to a goalless first half with some fine stick work and passing movements, but they failed to sound the boards. Uvites stormed into action midway during the second period when T. Hettiarachchie drew first blood. Sampath Senadeera sounded the second goal for the winners.

Sports in brief

MSC looking for sponsors

Matara Sports Club which produced cricketers of the calibre of Sanath Jayasuriya, Pramodaya Wickremasinghe and J.C. Gamage are badly in need of a sponsor to take care of their expenses during the forthcoming division I Sara trophy season.

Matara SC, who won Segment `B' last season, have been promoted to play in the premier tournament (Segment `A') during 1997-98.

But one of the biggest drawbacks is finding a sponsor.

"We can produce more Sanath Jayasuriyas from Matara if we are provided with the required conveniences and facilities,'' said Matara SC secretary Sunil Mohotti.

"We are making an appeal for sponsors as this is also the first time the club will be playing in the Segment `A' tournament, where all the national cricketers participate,'' said Mohotti. GSCC soccer final Sunday

The defending champions Colombo Municipal Sports Club will meet Ratnapura Municipal SC in the Government Services Challenge Cup soccer tournament final on September 28 at the Municipal grounds, Nuwara Eliya.

Kick off is at 3.00 p.m.

In the semifinals Colombo Municipal SC beat Dehiwala/Mount Lavinia Municipal SC while Ratnapura Municipal SC defeated Negombo Municipal SC. The mayor of Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council A.W.D.Bandula Seneviratne will be the chief guest at the final. Essex SC in division III

Essex Sports Club of Soysapura Moratuwa has been selected to participate in the Division three cricket tournament organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL).

They have already played a couple of matches against SSC and Mount Cricket Club at Maitland Place and NSCA grounds, Ratmalana respectively.

The rest of the fixtures are: October 15 - v Piliyandala SRC at Piliyandala, October 18 - v Homagama SC at Ratmalana, October 25 - v Bloomfield at Reid Avenue, November 8 - v Ceylon Cavaliers CC at Ratmalana, November 23 - v Memon SC at Narahenpita, December 20 - v Kalpana SC Ratmalana. Upali Ahangama to be felicitated

Veteran cricket coach and administrator Upali Ahangama will be felicitated by Thurstan College Old Boys' Union at a felicitation dinner to be hosted by them at the SSC pavilion on September 27 (Saturday).

Upali Ahangama captained Thurstan in 1960 and served as the Hony. cricket coach for a period of three decades commencing from 1967. He also played cricket for Nomads and NCC and was also the Asst. Secretary of the Board of Cricket in Sri Lanka.

During Upali's term as cricket coach, Thurstan produced a fine set of cricketers many of whom figured prominently in the premier division cricket tournaments and at representative level.

Mr. Dharmasiri Pieris, Secretary to the Minister of Education and past cricket captain of Thurstan will be a guest of honour and will deliver the felicitation speech.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)