Sports
Dialog felicitate Para medal winners
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider and prolific promoter of Sri Lankan sports, honored Sri Lanka’s World Para Athletics Championships medallists at a ceremony held at its headquarters on Thursday. The team, supported by Dialog, showcased their exceptional talents at the recent World Para Athletic Championships in Kobe, Japan, bringing home three medals. This achievement underscores Dialog’s commitment to excellence in sports and the remarkable capabilities of its athletes.
Indika Gamage’s performance in the T-44 100 meters final was spectacular as he secured a bronze medal with a time of 11.83 seconds. Demonstrating his prowess and consistency, Gamage qualified for the final after an impressive win in heat 1, clocking in at 11.75 seconds. His achievements in the sprint category have brought pride to Sri Lanka.
Samitha Dulan captivated the audience by setting a new world record in the Men’s F-44 Javelin Throw event. The 33-year-old veteran athlete demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication, earning a silver medal in the F-64 event with a throw of 66.49 meters. Dulan’s record-setting throw on his first attempt,
followed by consistent high-performance throws of 63.96m, 53.91m, 59.81m, 56.51m, and 65.01m, has etched his name in the annals of sporting history. As a bronze medallist in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and the 2023 Paris World Championships, Dulan’s latest feat cements his status as one of the leading figures in para-athletics globally.
In the men’s Shot Put T – 42 category, Palitha Bandara secured a bronze medal with a throw of 14.27 meters, contributing to Sri Lanka’s three medals at the nine-day competition. These achievements highlighted the country’s growing presence in international para-athletics.
Dialog is a proud sponsor of the NPC and has a history spanning more than two decades with Paralympic sports in Sri Lanka. The company first sponsored the Sri Lanka Paralympic contingent in 2000, followed by 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020, including sponsorship of the National Para Athletics Championship.
This partnership has been instrumental in fostering an environment conducive to the remarkable success of Sri Lankan para-athletes on the global stage. Noteworthy accomplishments include securing one gold and three bronze medals at the Paralympic Games, two silver and three bronze medals at the World Para Athletics Championships, and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. Moreover, Sri Lankan athletes have
demonstrated exceptional prowess at the Asian Para Games, amassing nine gold, 18 silver, and 22 bronze medals over the years.
“Over the years, Sri Lankan Paralympic athletes have consistently won medals and brought glory to the country. We have been a strong, encouraging, and long-term sports partner for people with disabilities in
Sri Lanka, tirelessly supporting their efforts at both national and international levels. I would like to thank our main sponsor, Dialog Axiata PLC, for their unwavering support,” said Lt. Col. Deepal Herath, President of the Sri Lanka Paralympic Committee.
“The partnership between Dialog and NPC aligns with the company’s ongoing dedication to empowering differently-abled individuals through sponsorships such as this. We are honored to give our fullest support over the years for these athletes to achieve their potentials in para sports. We congratulate the medal winners and all those involved in making them international stars. We at Dialog will continue to support them as they conquer new frontiers,” said Asanga Priyadarshana, Group Chief of Risk and Compliance, Dialog Axiata PLC.
Dialog Axiata is also a dedicated sponsor of the national cricket, volleyball, and esports teams and the primary sponsor of the Sri Lanka Golf Open. The company promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion through sponsorships in the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka and National Paralympic Committee, enabling
athletes to participate in national and international tournaments. Further, in line with its commitment towards empowering the champions of tomorrow, the company continues to power the President’s Gold
Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tournaments, and school rugby.
91st Battle of the Saints
St. Joseph’s hold the edge when they meet arch rivals St. Peter’s in the 91st Battle of the Saints’ big match starting today. After having beaten Petes by nine wickets in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ quarter-final at Polonnaruwa the Joes arive at the SSC ground to prove that the victory registered two months ago was not a fluke.
St. Joseph’s captained by wicketkeeper batsman Kenath Liyanage are concluding a successful season after having remained unbeaten until they were eliminated in the semi-final by St. Sebastian’s .
A strong batting lineup and a dynamic spin department are making them a formidable outfit.
Experienced campaigner Yenula Dewthusa and Demion de Silva with their left-arm spin and Aveesha Samash and Nushan Perera with off spin provide the Joes variety in the spin department. Dewthusa, Demion de Silva and Nushan Perera are their leading wicket takers. Spinners doing well at schools matches have not been effective at the SSC during the last few big matches. It will be interesting to watch as to how the spinners in these two teams would fare during the three days.
For pace the Joes will look to Maanasa Madubashana and Dunick Perera who are expected to share the new ball.
Abishek Jayaweera and Aveesha Samash will open batting, while Senuja Wakunugoda, skipper Liyanage, Dewthusa and Rishma Amarasinghe form the rest of the top order batting lineup.
St. Joseph’s registered three outright victories this season (beat St. Servatius’, St. Benedict’s and St. Peter’s) and remained unbeaten.
St. Peter’s under Oween Salgado’s captaincy did well to reach the business end of the Tier ‘A’ tournament. But the Petes were uncertain of Salgado’s participation in the big match as they were yet to assess his fitness yesterday morning. He was wounded during a match and the stitched wound had not fully healed according to team sources.
Petes beat Gurukula, St. Aloysius’ and Holy Cross this season. Their only defeat was at the hands of their arch rivals. They will look forward to avenge the defeat at the big match.
The Petes will rely on the likes of Dilana Damsara, Thareen Sanketh, Nathan David and Jason Fernando to take a greater share of batting responsibilities. The middle order batsman Sanketh is their leading batsman and has maintained an average of over 50 runs.
Speedsters Ethan Ransilige and Joshua Sebastian will share new ball duties for the Petes.
Lashmika Perera and Sanketh will share most of the slow ball duties.
St Peter’s are in the possession of the coveted Rev. Fr. Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy having last won the big match under the captaincy of Vinu Mohotty in 2016.
St. Joseph’s lead the series tally 12-10. They last won under Ruwantha Fernandopulle’s captaincy in 2008.
St. Peter’s College Team
(Seated from left) Harsha Prabath Perera (Asst. Physio/Trainer & Massuer), Thushara Maduhanka (1st XI Asst. Coach),
Nalin Wijesinghe (Head Coach), Priyadarshana Cooray (MIC – Senior & Junior), Oween Salgado (Captain), Rev. Fr.
Rohitha Rodrigo (Rector), Rev. Fr. Praveen Wijesekara (Priest in Charge – Cricket), Lashmika Perera
(Vice Captain), Dilana Damsara, Rohan Fernando (MIC – 2nd XI), Dinuka D. Godakanda (2nd XI Coach).
(Standing 1st row from left) Dinsara Rathnaweera, Dineth de Silva, Tharin Senvidu, Nathan David, Hiruka Silva, Thareen
Sanketh, Virul Amarapala, Yatheendra Jayaweera, Salith Gallage, Raphael Hettige. (Standing 2nd row from left) Jason Fernando,
Joshua Sebastian, Savi Fernnado, Ethan Ransilige, Asadisa De Silva, Sadeesha Kariyawasam, Enosh Peterson
by Reemus Fernando
120th Lovers’ Quarrel
The stakeholders of the Lovers’ Quarrel Big Match were still pursuing to make the historic 120th edition a reality on the eve of the match after Richmond authorities threatened to pull out citing that Mahinda had violated an accepted norm by included a newly recruited player in the big match team.
The historic edition was scheduled to commence as a three day encounter at the Galle International Stadium today. But the match remained doubtful at the time this edition went to press. The officials of both teams were unavailable for comments on the eve of the match. According to sources close to the two teams the joint big match committee was scheduled to meet in the evening yesterday to take a final decision regarding the match.
Richmond threatened to pull out after Mahinda included Charya Paranavithana in their big match team. Paranavithana captained St. Aloysius’ this season. He is not eligible to play matches that come under the purview of Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association as he is yet to be registered as a Mahinda player. Big Matches are not played according to SLSCA rules but Richmond authorities had raised concerns over the player registration citing that the two schools had honoured the norm even at the big match.
According to sources Richmond were threatening to pull out if Paranavithana’s name was included in the playing XI on the match day morning.
Mahinda concluded a highly successful season as the team captained by Kaveen Rukshan earned the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ promotion this year. They were also the joint champions of the Tier ‘B’ tournament with Thurstan. In contrast former Division I champions Richmond had to fight relegation scares. The team captained by Thamindu Pradeeptha later successfully retained their Tier A position by recording an outright victory.
Mahinda College Team
Seated left to right: T.D. Ajantha Kumara (Head Coach), Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master in Charge – Senior), L. P. Weeraman (Deputy Principal –
Sports), Kaveen Rukshan (Captain), Mr. Janaka Peduruheva (Principal), Arosha Udayanga (Vice Captain), Mr. M.W. Ajith (Prefect of Games), Mr.
Jagath Samarakoon (Master in charge – Junior), Mr. Sachith Lakmal (Asst. Coach)
Standing (Middle row) – left to right – Dineth Pahasara, Thiyon Helika, Vinupa Nethmira, Sahanjith Irugalbandara, Dulisth Darshana, Senuka
Dangamuwa, Sadew Nethmina, Manitha Rajapaksha, Vishmitha Sathsara, Charya Paranavithana, Randula Mabarana
Standing (Back row) – left to right – Sajeew Punsara, Sehas Ashinsa, Kaveesha Githmal, Thevindu Rashmika
by Reemus Fernando
CR & FC huffed and puffed before beating Havelocks Sports Club 25-24 in a keenly contested Clifford Cup semi final game worked off in Colombo yesterday before booking their berth in Sunday’s rugby final, scheduled to take place in Kandy.
In Sunday’s final, CR will meet Kandy SC, the winner of the first semi final.
CR dominated the first half, but Havies came from behind in the second half to be in contention of pulling the game off till the last minute. Havelocks’ chances were boosted with two powerful tries coming from Chathura Dilshan late in the second half. But unpardonable mistakes by the men in the pink and chocolate jerseys helped CR to slip away with the game. Havelocks gave away two yellow cards during extra time in the second half.
The winners collected their points through three tries, two conversions and two penalties while Havelocks responded with three converted tries and a penalty. The winners led 15-10 at half time. Referee Raveen Alexander controlled the game.
By A Special Sports Correspondent
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