Sports

Calcutta; the city of joy

Published

2 years ago

2023/11/16

Rex Clementine in Calcutta

Calcutta used to be the capital of India until King George V proclaimed the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1911. Known as the City of Joy, it’s a pleasant experience to be here during Deepavali time with the streets nicely decorated. This is where the World Cup semi-final between South Africa and Australia take place today (Thursday).

Calcutta’s airport is named after Subash Chandra Bose, one of India’s prominent freedom fighters. While Mahatma Gandhi was all about nonviolence, Bose was a complete contrast. He believed in a militant approach to freedom from the British. He also endorsed socialist political values unlike his Cambridge colleague and first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, who endorsed democratic values.

As for cricket, we have long admired the Prince of Calcutta – Sourav Ganguly. As captain, Ganguly got under the skin of the opposition and skippered India to many memorable wins both at home and away. The Prince of Calcutta was coined to him by Geoffrey Boycott. By the time Ganguly had become the captain of the Indian team people started telling Boycott that he better call him now the ‘King of Calcutta’. This Boycott refused and explained why, ‘For me, there is only one King of Calcutta – Jagmohan Dalmiya.’

Mr. Dalmiya was a business tycoon and was the first Asian President of the ICC. He faced many challenges as the President of the governing body and taught people a few lessons most notably taking the ICC away from Lord’s to Dubai.

Mr. Dalmiya was also a dear friend of Sri Lanka. During the 1996 World Cup, with Australia and West Indies refusing to play their World Cup games in Colombo, he played a pivotal role in putting up a joint India – Pakistan team to come and play a game in Colombo to prove the country was safe to play cricket.

Mr. Dalmiya was a practical man. The joint India – Pakistan team had the captains of both countries – Mohammad Azharuddin and Wasim Akram. It was impossible for Wasim to play under Azhar or vice-versa as fans of the two countries wouldn’t have endorsed it.

So, Mr. Dalmiya called up former Pakistan captain Inthikab Alam and made him the Manger of that team. Then, he told Inthikab now that a Pakistani is the Manager of the team it is unfair if the captaincy also went to Pakistan and it was up to him to convince Wasim to play under Azhar.

Then there was another problem. Wills the tournament’s sponsors had a deal that no cricket should be played two weeks prior to the tournament or after the tournament. This game a mere couple of days before the World Cup got underway contravened the agreement. Mr. Dalmiya then called up the sponsors and said, ‘Never again you are going to see a joint India – Pakistan team playing. In fact, you should pay me for putting your logo in the players’ jersey. So, just shut up and play.’

Mr. Dalmiya was an outstanding administrator. He had just finished his term as ICC boss ahead of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. England had just launched T-20 cricket in a bid to address the dwindling spectator turnouts in England.

The British press asked Mr. Dalmiya whether others should follow suit by embracing the T-20 format. “Why should we embrace T-20 cricket. In my home town in Calcutta, when Eden Garden hosts a Test match, there are 100,000 spectators inside the ground and 20,000 people outside the ground trying to get in,” he said.

Eden Garden of course is a cricket ground with full of history. Not so long ago, the venue could host some 100,000 fans. But after renovations, some of the temporary stands are gone and now the capacity is reduced to 65,000.

The venue hosted India’s second Test match way back in 1934. Virtually, it is India’s oldest active cricket ground as Bombay Gymkhana where the first ever Test was played has ceased to exist.

Eden Gardens hosted the final of the 1987 World Cup and the semi-finals of the 1996 World Cup where Sri Lanka famously knocked out the hosts and people reacted angrily.

The blinder that Aravinda de Silva played here is fondly remembered. He raced to a half-century on a tough wicket and set up the game for Sri Lanka.

In 2017, when Sri Lanka played a Test match at Eden Gardens, you thought that you had seen another player with a bright future in Niroshan Dickwella. The wicketkeeper not only got under Indian captain Virat Kohli’s skin, but earned much plaudits for his game awareness as India placed three fielders behind square and he happily hooked and pulled knowing too well that he cannot be out and just in time brought the error to the attention of the umpires who no balled Mohammad Shami.

Shami, the local boy, then got into an altercation with Dickwella. It was clever time wasting tactics by the rookie as Sri Lanka were struggling to save the Test.

In the end, the game ended in a draw and Kohli predicted a bright future for DIckwella. Six years on, Dickwella is not even in the reckoning these days with his off the field excesses getting him into trouble. Not scoring a hundred after 54 Tests made the selectors to say enough is enough.

That exactly has been the problem with Sri Lankan cricket. So many players emerge promising so many things but they lose track once they establish themselves in the side buying into a team culture that is far from ideal. You desperately hope that someone like Sadeera Samarawickrama doesn’t go the same route.

Calcutta is also the city where Mother Theresa, now a saint of the Catholic Church started her charitable mission. She went in search of the slum dwellers providing them medical care and the Missionaries of Charity that she established in Calcutta is now spread across the world. Many cricketers support the charity and Steve Waugh is a frequent visitor here.

“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much,” is one of her famous quotes.

All News Advertisement

Sports

Hasaranga backs Sri Lanka for World Cup semi-final push

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka’s leg-spin spearhead Wanindu Hasaranga has warned rivals not to write off the hosts ahead of the World Cup, after his four-wicket burst in the final T20I against Pakistan helped Sri Lanka square the three-match series on Sunday.

Hasaranga’s spell turned the game on its head and restored belief in a side that has blown hot and cold. Speaking after being named Player of the Match and Player of the Series, the leg-spinner said Sri Lanka, buoyed by home conditions, remain very much in the hunt for a semi-final berth.

Under head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka have made steady strides over the past 18 months. There have been a few distractions recently like changes in selectors and captaincy among them, but the dressing room, Hasaranga insisted, is quietly confident.

“We know the conditions and we’ve grown up playing in these conditions,” Hasaranga said. “If we use them well, we can have a major impact. Players need to identify their roles. Once that happens, we can put on a good show.”

Sunday’s decider was reduced to 12 overs a side after rain delayed the start by more than two hours, but Hasaranga felt the shortened contest still offered valuable lessons.

“Today we looked good,” he said. “We’ve been lacking a bit of consistency in recent years. In a World Cup, you have to minimise mistakes and keep moving forward.”

Bowling with a wet ball tested the spinners’ skills and patience, but Hasaranga viewed it as useful match practice rather than an inconvenience.

“It was challenging with a wet ball,” he explained. “But it’s good these things happen before a World Cup. It prepares you for all kinds of situations. I even spoke to our batters about what deliveries they’d prefer to face, and that input helped when we went out to defend.”

Sri Lanka now enjoy a week’s breather before hosting England with Hasaranga keen to see his side peak at the right time.

“When this series started, we had six games leading into the World Cup,” he said. “Rain in Dambulla meant things didn’t always go to plan. As a team, we wanted winning momentum. There are only a couple of games left now and we need to be firing on all cylinders when the World Cup begins.”

Sri Lanka had stumbled in the opener, losing by six wickets after being bowled out inside 20 overs, while the second match was washed out without a toss. A 14-run win in the final game, however, ensured honours ended even.

Rex Clementine
in Dambulla

Sports

Sunil Gunawardana among contenders for top post of Sri Lanka Athletics

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

It will be a four-way battle for the top post of Sri Lanka Athletics as fresh nominations for the election of office bearers closed at the Sports Ministry on Monday. Former president Sunil Gunawardana, Bimal Wijesinhge, Sugath Kumara and Prasanna Indika are the nominees for the post of president and they are subjected to objections.

‎This is the second time the Ministry of Sports called for nominations after different stakeholders successfully challanged the earlier niminations alleging that there were errors in the process.

‎Informed sources said that this time too the Ministry of Sports has left enough room for allegations as it announced the names of the nominees without waiting for the nominations sent by post.

‎”There was a fundamental error as they did not wait for nominations sent by post. They informed the stake holders by post. Some member federations had received the letters only on last Thursday. They were in a mighty hurry to announce the names of the nominees soon after the nominations closed,” a source close to athletics told The Island.

‎Following are the nominees for various posts of Sri Lanka Athletics.

‎‎President: Sunil Gunawardana, Bimal Wijesinhge, Prasanna Indika, Sugath Kumara

‎‎Vice President: Prasanna Indika, Lal Chandrakumara, Lt. Col. G.N. Jayathilaka, Irangani Rupasinghe, Jagath Silva, G.J. Siyamudali, Prasanna Aluvihare

‎‎Secretary: Dr. Dhammika Senanayake, Sameera Perera, Madawa Herath

‎Asst. Secretary: Sameera Perera, Aloy Wickramasinghe (RF)

Sports

Lakmal, Pravina win trophies at Eagles Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) won the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Trophy. (L) / Pravina Dunuwille emerged as the Ladies' Trophy winner. (R)

Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) secured the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Trophy, achieving the highest score in the gents’ category and Pravina Dunuwille emerged as the Ladies’ Trophy winner at the fourth edition of the Eagles Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament which came to a close at the picturesque China Bay, near the harbour city of Trincomalee.

‎The Sri Lanka Air Force, in collaboration with Eagles’ Golf Links and Courses, successfully conducted the fourth edition of the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament on Sunday.

‎The tournament, conducted under the Stableford Scoring System, commenced in the morning with the participation of 80 enthusiastic golfers, including 13 women golfers. The tournament was officially inaugurated when one of the former Commanders of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody, took the first tee-off.

‎Wing Commander Nalin Bentharaarachchi (Retd) claimed the Runner-up position in the Gents’ category, and Niloo Jayathilake was awarded the Ladies’ Runner-up position. In addition, Buddika Amarasinghe and Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody received accolades for the Longest Drive and Nearest to the Pin, respectively, in the Gents’ category, while Sandra Cadien secured the Longest Drive in the Ladies’ category. The Wooden Spoon was awarded to Nimal Jayasinghe.

‎The Eagles’ Monsoon Defence Challenge Trophy, presented to members of the Tri-Services in the Men’s category, was won by Wing Commander Asantha Gunaratne from the SLAF. Lieutenant Commander Mevan Perera from the SL Navy was the Runner-up of the Defence Challenge Trophy. Commodore Mangala Mummullage received the award for the Longest Drive in the Defence Challenge category.

‎The Best Total Net Score in the Six Hidden Holes competition segment was achieved by Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) and Group Captain Prabath Wijekoon received the Commander’s Island Green Award for the 2025 year’s Eagles’ Monsoon Cup iteration.

‎The awards of the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup were presented at a gala Awards Ceremony held at Eagles’ Golf Links during the evening of the same day. The Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dhammika Dias, graced the Awards Ceremony as the Chief Guest. Further, Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkodi, Chairman of SLAF Golf, Air Commodore Erandika Gunewardene, Secretary of Air Force Golf Links and Courses, Group Captain Asanka Rathnayake, Secretary of Air Force Golf, Wing Commander Thushan Fernando, Sales Manager of Aviyana Ceylon Resorts, Suranga Fernando (representing the Chairman of Aviyana Ceylon Resorts) and other golf enthusiasts attended the ceremony.

‎Adding to the prestige of the occasion, Aviyana Ceylon Resorts sponsored the tournament, enhancing its grandeur and providing a memorable experience for all participants.‎