Sports
Let’s hope that SLSRFA considers reverting back to old rugby format
By A Special Sports Correspondent
The schools’ rugby season has faced a storm due to a vibe generated by top rugby playing schools who are frowning upon a decision taken by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) to hold the Super Round matches of the inter-school league tournament at neutral venues.
The super round is the ‘second round’ of the league rugby tournament and venues are set according to a ‘home and away’ system. This system has been in practice since rugby was introduced to this little island; first to clubs and then to schools. One team that hosts the match this year will travel to the other school as ‘guests’ the next year and no one has complained about this arrangement. But it seems the SLSRFA wishes to change this tradition. The schools section of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) maintains that this change will be implemented with the motive of preserving the quality of the tournament and avoiding any team enjoying undue benefits in terms of playing on familiar ground conditions. The SLSRFA affirms that it has no intention of taking home the gate collection generated from these second round matches. The SLSRFA also intends to conduct the super round of the league tournament in a ‘knockout basis’ which is a total contrast to how this stage of the tournament was conducted last season. Many schools have already voiced their disapproval as to how the format of the schools rugby tournament has been subject to change.
From the surface this decision by the SLSRFA seems logical, but we need to think deep from a rugby tradition point of view. Just imagine if ‘Bradby Shield’ brothers Royal and Trinity are grouped in a manner that they meet in the super round of this tournament! Luckily these two teams are not pooled in the same group this season and they can only meet if they qualify for the super round stage of the league tournament. If that happens at least one leg of the Brady Shield will be played at a neutral venue. Going by the history of these two schools, neither Royal nor Trinity would agree to this. The solution to this issue might come in the form of both schools pulling out of the schools rugby tournament midway during this much looked forward to sporting event. This would be very bad for rugby and the spirit of sport.
The schools rugby tournament has been subject to several changes since more schools playing the sport entered the fray and the SLSRFA became an authority in rugby. The tournament format till last season was fair for all top division rugby playing schools grouped in Division 1 Segment 1. This writer says this because the old format allowed the best teams in the tournament to make a comeback even after a surprise loss and still be in contention of the ‘plum’. This opportunity no longer exists with the schools rugby authorities demanding the introduction of a ‘sudden death’ or knockout flavor to the tournament. This is the other issue causing concerns to school teams this season.
Many rugby critics and veterans who have played the game have already opined that this would be too much of a change for schoolboys. Unlike clubs, most schools need time to settle down and play their best rugby. There have been some schools in the past which came back strongly midway during the season. In the year 1988, Ananda and especially Isipatana made strong comebacks in to the schools’ tournament after mediocre performances at the start. Isipatana lost around four games at the start of the league tournament, but made amends as the season progressed to finish on a high.
The schools section of the SLR back then hardly interfered in the conduct of the league tournament. Schools were free to pick their opponents and each school had to play seven games to be in contention of the league title. But at present there are too many regulations being imposed; which might dampen the spirit of the game.
The SLSRFA has affirmed that it’ll not stake a claim to the entire gate collection that’ll be generated during the super round of the tournament.
Many top rugby playing schools have already sent protest letters to the SLSRFA airing their grievances about the new format of the tournament. Let’s hope that the schools’ tournament doesn’t run into a snag because if a school that’s affected by this format change seeks legal assistance there could be a delay in starting the tournament.
The uncapped trio of Malki Madara, Dewmi Vihanga and Piumi Badalge are among six changes to the women’s squad that toured New Zealand earlier this year, as Sri Lanka named a 17-member squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series against India and South Africa starting April 27.
There are recalls for veteran Inoka Ranaweera as well as Hasini Perera ans and Hansima Karunaratne. Making way are Imesha Dulani, Sachini Nisansala, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Chethana Vimukthi and the injured Udeshika Prabodhani.
The three new faces, 24-year-old spinner Madara made her senior debut during last month’s T20I series against New Zealand, impressing with a match-winning three-wicket haul in her first game.
She joins a strong spin contingent, bolstered by the returning Ranaweera, and one that also has the likes of Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, star allrounder. Kavisha Dilhari , and the uncapped 19-year-old spin-bowling allrounder Vihanga.
Another player who will be eyeing an ODI debut will be 18-year-old batting allrounder Rashmika Sewwandi, who was part of Sri Lanka’s squad at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. Sewwandi is one of just two seamers in the squad, alongside Achini Kulasuriya.
The squad is largely settled on the batting front, with skipper Chamari Athapaththu leading a mostly unchanged unit which includes Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva and Anushka Sanjeewani.
There are, however, slots for the taking with 17-year-old Manudi Nanayakkara one to keep an eye on, after she scored a brisk 35 in her only opportunity on the tour of New Zealand. Panadura CC captain Badalge, 29, will also be hoping for a first opportunity with the national side.
Sri Lanka play India in Colombo on April 27 to begin the series.
Sri Lanka squad for women’s ODI tri-series:
Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Manudi Nanayakkara, Hasini Perera, Achini Kulasuriya, Piumi Badalge, Dewmi Vihanga, Hansima Karunaratne, Malki Madara, Inoshi Priyadarshini, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Inoka Ranaweera
(Cricinfo)
In a bold stride towards sporting excellence, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) unveiled a state-of-the-art swimming pool at the National High Performance Center, located within the iconic R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
The eight-lane, semi-Olympic standard facility was ceremonially declared open by the Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Sunil Kumara Gamage, at the invitation of SLC President Shammi Silva. SLC’s Ex-Co members too were present at the occasion alongside former Test captain and current Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya.
National women’s team captain Chamari Atapattu and her teammates also marked their presence, signaling the pool’s immediate value to elite athletes.
Spanning 25 meters in length and 21 meters in width, with a depth between 1.2 and 1.8 meters, the new pool is a cornerstone of SLC’s ambitious National Pathway Program.
It aims to bolster player fitness, post-match recovery, and injury rehabilitation for the National, ‘A’ team, and the fast and spin bowling squads. Visiting international teams will also have access to the facility during Sri Lanka tours.
Fully equipped with modern changing rooms, first aid units, and athlete support amenities, the new aquatic addition is more than just a pool — it’s a symbol of SLC’s commitment to building a holistic, world-class training environment.
The High Performance Center already boasts a full gymnasium, an international-standard cricket ground, under-lights training facilities, a dedicated physiotherapy wing, and the acclaimed Brain Center for data-driven performance analysis.
Coming soon in Phase Two: a Jacuzzi, an ice bath, and a new indoor net complex — all part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s drive to stay ahead of the curve in global cricketing infrastructure.
The Grade A category Colombo Championships, which is the oldest tennis tournament of the country, gets underway for the 110th time on April 25 at the SLTA (playing section) courts at Green Path. The tournament has attracted a record number of participants which include the cream of Sri Lankan tennis players.
The title sponsor of the tournament is eye care provider ‘Vision Care’. In addition, this year it is also Co-sponsored by ‘Thambapanni Leisure’. Events ranging from juniors (Boys/Girls- under 12 to 18), men’s, women’s and veterans (for over 35, 45, 55 and 65) are being held, giving every segment of the tennis playing community an opportunity to participate.
Making his title sponsorship commitment, Janaka Fonseka, Managing Director of Vision Care said “we are very happy to be involved in this prestigious tournament for over a decade. We believe sport is vital for the health of the nation and are strongly committed to supporting the Colombo Championships. The objective of the tournament is in line with our corporate objectives and as such we want to be part of this wonderful event.
Sria Munasinghe, President of the SLTA Playing Section said “I would like to place on record my utmost appreciation of all the sponsors specially Vision Care for unstinted support during the last ten years and the Managing Director of Thambapanni Leisure Prashanth Dissanayake and others who wish to remain anonymous”. The organisers have received 1200 entries for this tournament.
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