Sports

Remembering the pioneers of Sri Lanka Athletics

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/19

by K.L.F. Wijedasa

The Sri Lanka Athletics is celebrating its centenary this year. It is pertinent to remember the people who pioneered the track and field governing body.

The Amateur Athletic Association was born as a national sports organization in 1896 when Col. G. R. Savage and Wilton Bartlet and other enthusiasts in the European community and the predominant European clubs joined together to form the A. A. A. and it was affiliated to the British Amateur Association. Initially, the Ceylon A. A. A. catered primarily to the Europeans. The ‘natives’ were not privileged to participate in these meets. It held regular meets until 1912. The First World War of 1914-1918 brought all sports activities to a grinding halt.

After the World War the standard of athletics among the schoolboys was improving and there emerged several promising young athletes. This prompted one of Sri Lanka’s foremost sports writers, S.P. Foenander to convene a meeting of all sportsmen interested in schools and club athletics to form an Association with the view of staging a National Athletic Championships. The inaugural National Athletics Championship was held on September 24, 1921 at the CH and FC grounds in the Colombo Racecourse. This meet incidentally led to the revival of the then defunct Ceylon A. A. A. and since the year 1921 the annual Championship was held regularly to date.

Birth of the AAA of Sri Lanka

In 1922 Col. T.Y. Wright was selected as the first President of the Ceylon Amateur Athletic Association. Robert W. Cammack the Physical Director the YMCA was elected Honorary Secretary, served the association for three consecutive year. Cammack comes from a family well known for their community services. Cammack was the son of the founding fathers of Whittier College. Cammack attended Whittier College and played as quarterback in the College team, was the captain of the Track team and the president of the YMCA. His involvement with the YMCA took him to Sri Lanka for 10 years, where he introduced physical education and volleyball in the schools and gymnastics and basketball. The Western Province Association initiated a competition for the Basketball clubs in the Colombo city and the Cammack Trophy was installed.

S.P. Foenander was selected as the Hon. Assistant Secretary. The Association became affiliated to the International Amateur Athletic Federation on the 18th of January 1922. Therefore the Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka considers that its inauguration as duly recognized controlling body of sports was only on the 18th of January 1922.

Presidents who served the governing body for long periods during the first half of the centenary were V.R. Shockman 1931-32, 1935-38, B. Ingran 1939-43 and Carl. T. Van Geyzel 1952-1966.

W. D. H. Perera who rendered a dedicated service to sports in Sri Lanka served as the Hon. Secretary of the Sri Lanka AAA for 22 consecutive years from 1926. P. Julian Grero took over from him and held the post of Hon. Secretary for seven years. P. Don. Victor became the Hon. Secretary in 1986 and served until 1991.

RESULTS of the 1st National Athletic Championships

22nd September 1922

100 Yards:

1. G. H. Karunathilake 10.6 secs, 2. E. H. F. Layard, 3. W. W. M. Fernando.

220 Yards:

1. G. H. Karunathilakee 25.0 secs, 2. E.H.F. Layard, 3. E. Skinner.

440 Yards:

1. A. H. R. Joseph 56.2 secs, 2. C. F. C. Jayathilake, 3. G. Senaratne.

Half Mile:

1. G. J. Holbeche, 2. A. Mayanga, 3. H. M. J. Cassim.

1 Mile: 1. A.W. Pinder, 2. K. D. W. Soysa, 3. H. M. J. Cassim.

120 yds Hurdles:

1. T. H. Mendis, 2. Anthony Abeysinghe, 3.C. W. F. Perera.

High Jump:

1. C. R. Joseph 1.57m, 2. J. A. Kadramathamby, 3.Otto Honegger.

Pole Vault:

1. R. C. Jayathilake 2.75m, 2. J. A. Kadramathamby, 3. C.R. Joseph.

Long Jump:

1.G. L. Jayawardene 6.21m, 2. Otto Honegger, 3. L Nagel.

Shot Putt:

1. Sait Ali Jonbhoy13.14m, 2. C. R. Joseph, 3. V. B. Paulickpulle.

Javelin Throw:

1.B. Weerasinghe 35.06m, 2. J. H. Mendis, 3. O. S. Wickwar.

Cricket Ball Throw:

1. A. M. Caldera 90.76m, 2. J. B. C. Rodrigo, 3. S. Edwin Silva.

Inter College Relay:

1. S. Thomas’ College, 2. St. Joseph’s College.

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BCB removes Nazmul Islam as head of finance committee

Published

2 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

6 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

10 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]