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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Sports

Sri Lanka Under 19s pull off two wickets win against Afghanistan

Published

18 hours ago

2025/12/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka Under 19s scored back to back victories as Mahanama College batsman Chamika Heenatigala anchored the tail with an unbeaten half century to seal two wickets victory over Afghanistan U19s in their second group match of the Under 19 Asia Cup in Dubai on Monday.

‎Chasing 236 runs to win Sri Lanka U19s were eight wickets down for 217 runs in the 48th over but Heenatigala with Rasith Nimsara kept their cool to seal the victory with four balls to spare.

‎In their chase, Viran Chamuditha top scored with 62 runs and put on a first wicket stand of 55 runs with Dimantha Mahavithana (27).

‎While Kavija Gamage (34) and Dulnith Sigera (22) made vital contributions with the bat, Sethmika Senevirathne and Sigera took three wickets each.

‎It was Sri Lanka Youth team’s second consecutive win in the tournament after registering their first win against Nepal.

Sports

Dasun Shanaka’s all-round effort can not hold Vipers

Published

18 hours ago

2025/12/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sam Curran bagged two wickets before scoring an unbeaten fifty. (ILT20)

Dasun Shanaka scored an unbeaten 29 and took two wickets but that could not hold Desert Vipers becoming the first team to seal a playoffs spot as they made it six wins out of six on Sunday (December 14) halfway through the league stage of the ILT20 2025-26.

‎Sam Curran produced an all-round effort as Vipers chased down Dubai Capitals’ 166/4 with five wickets in hand and a ball to spare.

‎Asked to bat, Capitals lost Shayan Jahangir to Naseem Shah in the third over and were kept on a tight leash by the Vipers pacers in the powerplay, reaching 35/1. Gulbadin Naib and Leus du Plooy then added 39 at close to a run-a-ball before Noor Ahmad removed his Afghanistan teammate. Capitals were 68/2 at the halfway mark and in need of momentum through the second half of the innings.

‎Du Plooy injected some urgency with two fours off Lockie Ferguson in an over, followed by a six off Naseem Shah to bring up a 38-ball fifty. But Curran turned the innings again with a double-wicket over, dismissing du Plooy and Rovman Powell off successive deliveries. Jordan Cox and Dasun Shanaka, however, ensured a strong finish, striking six fours and three sixes in an unbroken 72-run stand off 40 balls.

‎Max Holden set the tone in the chase, accounting for six of the seven fours Vipers struck in the powerplay. Fakhar Zaman fell to Mustafizur Rahman in the fifth over but Vipers still reached 50 in six overs. Holden was dismissed for 34 by Haider Ali while attempting a slog sweep, and although Hasan Nawaz struck three sixes, he fell to Waqar Salamkheil to leave Vipers at 88/3 after 10 overs.

‎Dan Lawrence and Curran steadied the chase with a 32-run stand before Lawrence was dismissed by Shanaka for 20 in the 14th over. In the same over, Shimron Hetmyer struck a four and a six and was later reprieved by Shanaka. A couple of tight overs followed, but Vipers remained in control, needing 31 from the final four overs.

‎Curran took them closer with two fours off David Willey and a six off Muhammad Jawadullah. With three required in the final over, Hetmyer fell to Shanaka, but Curran finished the chase with a six off the fourth ball, completing a 33-ball fifty to cap a fine all-round performance.

‎‎Brief scores:

‎Dubai Capitals 166/4 in 20 overs (Leus du Plooy 54, Jordan Cox 49*; Sam Curran 2-17)

‎Desert Vipers

171/5 in 19.4 overs (Sam Curran 52*, Max Holden 34; Dasun Shanaka 2-19)

Sports

Akbar Brothers crowned MBSA A-Division champions

Published

1 day ago

2025/12/15

Priyan

Akbar Brothers Ltd delivered a commanding all-round performance to clinch the ‘A’ Division title at the 33rd MSBA League Basketball Tournament, defeating defending champions Fairfirst Insurance 70–60 in a thrilling final held recently.

Despite a group stage loss to Fairfirst, a revitalized Akbar Brothers team returned for the final with renewed focus, executing a strategic and disciplined game plan with some excellent passing and defense. Akbar Brothers came in with all guns blazing right from the outset. The first quarter was all Akbar’s that stacked up a 13 to 4 lead. Fairfirst mounted a strong challenge in the second quarter, narrowing the margin, but Akbar’s momentum secured a 35–28 lead at halftime, a margin they maintained with composure through to the final whistle.

Dasun Mendis led the charge for Akbar Brothers with 18 points and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Chenura De Alwis added 17 points to the tally, while Shehan Udayanga posted a valiant 22 points for Fairfirst. Dimitri Grebe anchored Akbar Brothers with strong leadership, with Hiran Wijesooriya captaining Fairfirst.

Earlier in the tournament Akbar Brothers beat Sampath Bank (82-71), Seylan Bank (91-68) David Pieris (110-78) and Seylan Bank in the semi final (83-60)

The final, held at the Royal College Indoor Sports Complex, saw a vibrant turnout of supporters as Akbar Brothers proved their championship mettle with teamwork, resilience, and clinical execution.

Akbar Brothers – Dimitri Grebe (Captain), Dasun Mendis, Chenura De Alwis, Randil Henry, Taher Akbarally, Selvam Savarimuttu, Franklyn Morais, Sanketha Jayarathne, Jeewan Priyankera , Praneeth Udumalagala, Ajith Kuruppu (Coach), Adrian Gabriel (Asst. Coach)

Fairfirst Insurance – Hiran Wijesooriya (Captain), Shehan Udayanga , Lakshan Kulathunga, Roshan Randima, Arnold Brent, Isuru Perera, Denzil Nicholas, Nimesh Fernando, Keshawa Perera, Charaka Anuhas, Asanga Perera (Coach)