Sports

A year after Olympic qualifying debacle, will Nilani face the same predicament?

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/2

by Reemus Fernando

Steeplechase runner Nilani Ratnayake put back the disappointment of missing the Tokyo Olympics when she produced a superb world-leading time of 9:47.47 seconds at the first selection trial in February. More than a month after that feat her timing is the eighth fastest in the world for a steeplechaser this year and more importantly she is ranked 33rd in the World Athletics’ ‘Road to Oregon’ World Championship rankings. But with only the upcoming National Championship available to have another go at her own national record mark, will the same predicament that deprived her from taking part in the Olympics befall the Army athlete again?

Not many are aware of NIlani’s current standings in the ‘Road to Oregon’ World Championship rankings’. There is talk within the athletics fraternity to send a wildcard for the Athletics World Championship in Oregon, USA in July. Like the not-so-popular track discipline itself, the long distance runner too remain in the shadows of more flamboyant athletes, though her impressive performance has placed her at the forefront of the race to win qualifying standards for the world event. According to World Athletics some 45 athletes are selected for the women’s steeplechase with 24 being chosen by entry standards and another 21 picked by world rankings positions. Though Nilani remains in contention for World Championship participation on today’s standings, the lack of top grade competitions will hinder her chances of maintaining the current position.

In the lead up to Tokyo Olympics, Nilani was Sri Lanka’s prime prospect in track and field sports as she was within the required rankings to earn a place in the team to Japan. Six months ahead of the Olympics she was ranked 35th in the world and the then World Athletics ‘Road to Olympics rankings’ showed that what was required was just maintaining that position. But lack of quality competitions and a technical faux pass at one of the local competitions meant that she missed the opportunity. On the cutoff date to reach qualifying standards she was ranked just outside the ‘Road to Olympic Rankings’.

Now in a World Championship year, Ratnayake is ranked 33rd in the ‘Road to Oregon rankings’. There will be top competitions accessible to her counterparts from other countries but her.

With the World Championship coinciding with Sri Lanka Athletics Centenary year it is only appropriate that the country’s governing body and the Ministry of Sports do their best to send qualified athletes for the world event rather than taking the easy option of sending a wildcard.

In the men’s category the US based high jumper Ushan Thiwanka has produced some outstanding performances. Despite improving the country’s indoor high jump record, he did not get an opportunity to take part in the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade where he could have earned valuable points to improve on his world ranking and the prospect of qualifying for the World Championships.

The ranking system, introduced by World Athletics a couple of years ago, requires you to compete in top grade competitions to improve your rankings. Despite having a personal best of 2.30 metres (Sri Lanka record) from May 2021 and producing a seasonal best of 2.27metres in February this year Thiwanka is not in the World Athletics’ ‘Road to Oregon’ World Championship rankings so far. His 2.27 metres produced in February is the third best performance in the world in an outdoor competition this year. At the World Indoor Championships only six athletes had jumped higher than Thiwanka’s seasonal best. Yet such a bright prospect like Thivanka will not be eligible to compete at the World Championships.

The athletes like Thivanka and NIlani only need top grade competitions to improve their rankings. Recently when asked about Sri Lanka Athletics’ plans to help top athletes improve on their rankings the athletics chief said that a Grand Prix will be held in June to help them. But with the country’s current economic crisis it is doubtful whether the cash trapped institutions would be able to provide the necessary support to make it a reality.

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BCB removes Nazmul Islam as head of finance committee

Published

5 hours ago

2026/01/15

Priyan

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has removed Nazmul Islam as chairman of the board’s finance committee, following the CWAB’s player boycott of cricket in country until he resigns from his position.

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to inform that, following a review of recent developments and in the best interest of the organisation, the BCB President has decided to release Mr. Najmul Islam from his responsibilities as Chairman of the Finance Committee with immediate effect,” the BCB said in a statement.

“The decision has been taken in accordance with the authority vested in the BCB President under Article 31 of the BCB Constitution and is aimed at ensuring the continued smooth and effective functioning of the Board’s affairs. Until further notice, the BCB President will assume the role of Acting Chairman of the Finance Committee.

“The BCB reiterates that the interests of the cricketers remain its highest priority. The Board remains fully committed to upholding the honour and dignity of all players under its jurisdiction.

“In this regard, the BCB hopes that all cricketers will continue to display the highest standards of professionalism and dedication to the betterment of Bangladesh cricket during what is a challenging period for the game, and will do their utmost to ensure continued participation in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).”

Both BPL matches on Thursday – the first between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express, and the second between Rajshahi Warriors and Sylhet Titans – have been postponed due to the player boycott.

Even though there seemed to be movement on the issues – the BCB agreed to the player body CWAB’s demands and removed Nazmul Islam from his position as head of the board’s finance committee – but it came too late in the day for the matches to go ahead as scheduled. There was no confirmation yet whether the boycott would be called off or not, and whether the BPL matches on Friday would also be impacted.

[Cricinfo]

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BCB issues show cause notice to Nazmul Islam but Bangladesh players firm on boycott

Published

9 hours ago

2026/01/15

Priyan

Chattogram Royals were scheduled to play against Noakhali Express in the first BPL game of the day [Cricinfo]

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has issued a show cause notice to its director M Nazmul Islam over his “objectionable comments” in public against the country’s cricketers on Wednesday.

The notice came a couple of hours before the scheduled start of the BPL matches for the day, though the players’ body CWAB has called for a nationwide boycott on all forms of cricket unless Islam tenders his resignation.

The four first-division matches in the Dhaka Cricket League scheduled for the day didn’t start on Thursday morning, which caused serious concern in the BCB. ESPNcricinfo has learned that the Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express players, who were supposed to play the first BPL match on Thursday, are sticking to the boycott.

“The board has already initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against the board member concerned,” the BCB statement read. “A show cause letter has been issued, and the individual has been instructed to submit a written response within 48 hours. The matter will be dealt with through due process and appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the proceedings.”

ESPNcricinfo understands that some board directors contacted the CWAB president Mohammad Mithun late on Wednesday night, offering that they would make Nazmul stand down from his role as the finance committee chairman. But Mithun said the cricketers’ call for the boycott remained in place.

The toss of the first BPL match on Thursday is at 12.30 pm local time. Once the start time for the match has passed, the CWAB leaders are supposed to hold a press conference, where they will present the BCB with their demands, including the resignation of the director.

[Cricinfo]

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Senegal beat Egypt 1-0 in AFCON semifinal as Sadio Mane scores late

Published

13 hours ago

2026/01/15

Priyan

Senegal's Sadio Mane scores the only goal of the game [Aljazeeera]

Sadio Mane fired Senegal into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over seven-time winners Egypt.

The two-time African Footballer of the Year broke the deadlock in the 78th minute on Wednesday when he let fly from just outside the penalty area inside the bottom left corner after Lamine Camara’s initial effort was blocked.

It sparked joy and relief among the Teranga Lions’ fans in Tangier, where the 2021 champions – after beating Egypt in the final – had taken the initiative but struggled to create clear chances against the Pharaohs’ stubborn defence.

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly will miss the title match – against either host Morocco or Nigeria, who were to play in Rabat later on Wednesday – after picking up a yellow card that meant a suspension and then going off injured in the 23rd minute.

Koulibaly was booked in the 17th for a tactical foul on Omar Marmoush. The captain was also sent off in the group-stage win over Benin and consequently missed the win over Sudan. His tournament was effectively ended when he had to be replaced by Mamadou Sarr because of injury.

Nicolas Jackson had fired over just before Senegal displayed more attacking intent. Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye also had efforts saved.

Tensions boiled over when Mohamed Salah fouled his former Liverpool teammate Mane, but Senegal coach Pape Thiaw and Egypt counterpart Hossam Hassan managed to cool tempers.

Senegal’s Habib Diarra was booked for arguing, however, meaning he will miss the final, too.

[Aljazeera]