Sports
94th Clifford Cup Boxing Championship to be staged in Kandy
The 94th BASL (Boxing Association of Sri Lanka) Men’s and Women’s Clifford Cup Boxing Championship will take place from December 18 to 22, at Sahas Uyana, Kandy. Matches will commence daily at 2:00 pm, bringing together Sri Lanka’s finest boxers for a thrilling display of skill, strength, and sportsmanship.
The tournament will adhere to IBA (International Boxing Association) rules effective from March 3, 2024, ensuring a world-class standard of competition. This prestigious event is the second major BASL tournament hosted outside Colombo this year, following the successful Layton Cup semifinals and finals held at Negombo Beach Park in October.
The competition includes multiple weight categories for both men and women.
Men (13): Minimum 46-48 kg Fly 48-51 kg, Bantam 51-54 kg, Feather 54-57 kg, Light 57-60 kg, Light Welter 60-63.5 kg, Welter 63.5-67 kg, Light Middle 67-71 kg, Middle 71-75 kg, Light Heavy 75-80 kg, Cruiser 80-86 kg, Heavy 86-92 kg, Super Heavy Over 92 kg.
Women (12): Minimum 45-48 kg Light Fly 48-50 kg, Fly 50-52 kg, Bantam 52-54 kg, Feather 54-57 kg, Light 57-60 kg, Light Welter 60-63 kg, Welter 63-66 kg, Light Middle 66-70 kg, Middle 70-75 kg, Light Heavy 75-81 kg, Heavy Over 81 kg.
The tournament is open to male and female boxers aged 19 to 40 years.
Eligible participants include gold and silver medalists of the Novice, Intermediate, and Stubbs Shield Championships; gold medalists of the Junior National Boxing Championships; and competitors in previous Layton Cup, Clifford Cup, or National Championships.
Novice boxers are not eligible. Women with any medal from schools’ tournaments may participate if they meet age criteria.
The technical meeting and official draw will be held on December 17, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sahas Uyana, Kandy.
Entries close today.
The Sri Lanka Army Men’s team and the Sri Lanka Air Force Women’s team emerged as the standout champions at the 93rd Clifford Cup Boxing Championship, held at the Royal MAS Arena.
The Army showcased their dominance in the 13-weight class men’s division, claiming an impressive nine gold medals, two silvers, and one bronze to secure the Clifford Cup. The Navy took second place with one gold, four silvers, and four bronzes, while the Air Force rounded out the top three with one gold, one silver, and three bronzes.
In the women’s division, the Air Force team excelled, winning the Dian Gomes Challenge Trophy after earning five gold medals and two bronzes in the 11-weight class competition. The Army team followed closely, finishing second with four gold medals and two silvers, while the Navy secured third place with one gold, one silver, and one bronze.
Among the individual highlights, H.M.L.P. Jayawardana of the Army was named the Best Boxer in the men’s category for his outstanding performance in the Light Flyweight (Under 48kg) final, where he secured a unanimous decision victory against D.H. Thisarachchi from Back2Fit.
In the women’s category, K.K.I.T. Perera of the Air Force delivered an equally impressive performance in the Featherweight (Under 57kg) final, defeating MDP Manathunga of the Army with a unanimous decision to claim the Best Boxer award.
The 94th BASL Clifford Cup promises five days of intense, high-calibre boxing action, showcasing Sri Lanka’s top talent. Fans and enthusiasts are encouraged to witness this electrifying tournament as Kandy becomes the epicenter of the nation’s boxing scene.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to establish the proposed National Higher Performance Centre for atletes.
India opener Shafali Verma has received an official reprimand and a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Shafali, an ICC release said, breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”
It was Shafali’s first offence in a 24-month period.
The incident occurred in the 12th over of Zimbabwe’s innings when Shafali threw the ball into the ground in frustration after dropping a chance at mid-off offered by Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano off Sree Charani.
Shafali admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee GS Lakshmi, which meant there was no need for a formal hearing.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
India currently lead the three-match series 2-0 with the third game to be played on Tuesday evening. The T20Is will be followed by three ODIs in Vadodara from October 23.
(Cricinfo)
A total of 146 players will be competing for 27 available slots in the WPL 2027 mini auction on October 28 in Kochi. Of these, England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australia captain Sophie Molineux are the only two players who have listed themselves at the maximum base price of INR 50 lakh.
The auction pool has 119 Indian players, including 22 capped and 97 uncapped players, with 20 slots available for Indian players. The overseas pool has 27 players – 14 capped and 13 uncapped – including six from Associate teams, with seven slots available.
G Kamalini (released by Mumbai Indians), Kiran Navigre (released by U P Warriorz), Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen have registered at the second-highest base price of INR 40 lakh, while a total of 30 players have registered at INR 30 lakh.
Among the notable absentees are West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin, who was released by UPW, and Australia legspinner Alana King, who was released by Delhi Capitals. Lizelle Lee, who was DC’s highest run-scorer last season, has also not listed herself after being released by the franchise.
What the teams look like going into the auction
Only two English players – Dunkley and Kira Chathli (INR 10 lakh) – have registered for the auction, with several others, including Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson, Lauren Filer and Linsey Smith opting to skip the WPL next year.
Cricinfo has learned that England are likely to play three T20Is in Sri Lanka in early February, which will clash with the final week of the WPL. While the ECB is likely to allow players to stay in India to complete the tournament, most players have instead chosen to prioritise their international commitments ahead of the Champions Trophy later that month.
The relatively low salaries on offer at the WPL are also understood to be a factor in many English players deciding not to register, with most internationals earning significantly more to play in the Hundred (up to £190,000 last year) than the highest permitted base price in the WPL of INR 50 lakh (£40,000 approx).
Molineux was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru [RCB] title-winning squad in 2024, and had bagged 12 wickets in ten games at an economy rate of 7.31. She was retained by RCB for the 2025 season but a knee injury ruled her out of the season. Dunkley, meanwhile, played for Gujarat Giants [GT] in 2023 before opting not to register for the 2024 season. She went unsold in the 2025 auction.
Among the premier internationals who have listed themselves for INR 30 lakh are Australia allrounder Grace Harris (released by RCB), Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, South Africa left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba and South Africa allrounder Chloe Tryon.
UPW, who released nine players, will go into the auction with the biggest purse of INR 3.75 crore.
[Cricinfo]
Import and Export (Control) Regulations No. 08 of 2026
Draft Bill of the Public Private Partnership Enterprises Act to be gazzetted
Amendment of the Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961
Cabinet nod to amend the Sri Lanka Development Administration Institute Act No. 9 of 1982
Establishment of the National Higher Performance Centre
State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
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