Sports
SSC Open Tennis Championship attracts over 700 entries
First Capital Holdings PLC has come forward to sponsor the SSC Open Tennis Championship for the third consecutive year. The SSC Open 2024 which commenced on January 6 will run till January 21 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) tennis courts. The Championship is the first major open ranking tennis tournament for the year 2024. It has attracted 750 entries.
“This year’s championship is special and will be historical, as SSC celebrates 125 years. I am indeed delighted to see the First Capital SSC Open Ranking Championship being the first ranking tournament of the year 2024. Since the first championship was held in the 1980s and revived in the late 1990s, we have been able to provide a platform to some of the finest national players who represented Sri Lanka in many international tournaments. Among our unique features are the highest equal prize money for Men and Women, chair umpires, live TV coverage of the finals and some of the highest standards in facilities for the players and spectators,” said SSC Honorary Secretary Vasantha Wijesekera.
Randinith Madanayake, Head of Marketing at First Capital, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with SSC for the 3rd consecutive year, and looking forward to an exciting competition. This collaboration is crucial for us as an organization committed to fostering tennis in Sri Lanka—a premium sport loved by many avid sports enthusiasts. We are thrilled to contribute to this cause through one of the most anticipated tournaments in the country, alongside SSC, a renowned club with a strong sporting heritage in Sri Lanka. First Capital’s “Performance-First” ethos perfectly aligns with SSC’s drive to always pursue excellence in every aspect of the game.”
The Championship will be conducted under the purview of the governing body of the sport, the Sri Lanka Tennis Association, and organized by the SSC Tennis House Committee. The Championship continues to maintain the traditions and culture of the Sinhalese Sports Club, a prestigious sporting entity that has contributed to the rise of multiple sporting stars throughout its 125-year journey.
This historical tennis event has gained prominence for its continued efforts to maintain standards. This highly sought tournament has seen young talent showcase their potential in front of ardent crowds who have been mesmerised by their tennis prowess. Their victories have resulted in them becoming household names in the tennis community in Sri Lanka. Some have even used this as a stepping stone in moving on to test their abilities on the international stage.
This year the Championship will comprise Girls and Boys events from under 12 to under 18 (Singles and Doubles), Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, and Veterans events for over 35, over 45, and over 55 age groups. The tournament will be illuminated with dazzling play from prominent players such as the defending champion Saajida Razick, Davis Cup players Chathurya Nilaweera, Apna Perera and Thehan Wijemanne, Billie Jean King Cup players Vishmi Serasinghe, Dinethya Dharmaratne and Inuki Jayaweera, and rising star Dinara de Silva. This will also be a platform for the junior players to prepare for the upcoming World Juniors, Junior Davis Cup and Junior Billie Jean King Cup events.
Along with First Capital Holding PLC, long-standing supporters of the SSC Open Tennis Championships, 3 G Sports (Head Tennis Balls) and Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) along with Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) and Perera and Sons (P&S) have continued their support as the Co-Sponsors for this event. YETI Hydration will be the official hydration partner. Shehara Medawala is poised to serve as the tournament referee with Aruna Seneviratne.
Under 19 Cricket
Left-arm spinners Vishwa Peiris and Demion de Silva took five wickets each as St. Joseph’s cruised to an innings and 51 runs victory over St. Benedict’s in the Traditional Mack – Croner trophy cricket encounter at Darley Road on Tuesday.
St. Benedict’s came to the match having done well in the Tier B tournament matches but the spin might of the Joes was too hot for them to handle as they collapsed for 62 runs in the second innings.
The result somewhat exposed the gap between the Tier A and Tier B teams of the Under 19 Division I category as the team from Kotahena were bowled out within 25 overs. They were following on after being dismissed for 197 runs in the first innings, where Nushan Perera grabbed five wickets bowling the bulk of the overs for the Joes. He was adjudged the Best Bowler.
While Vishwa was the Man of the Match, Rishma Amarasinghe (Best Fielder) and Senuja Wakunugoda (Best Batsman) won the other individual awards.
The Joes made 313 in their innings with Senuja top scoring with 106 runs.
In the Division I Tier ‘A’ matches Gurukula (against St. Sebastian’s) and St. Anthony’s Katugastota (against Royal) registered first innings victories.
Maliyadeva took first innings points against De Mazenod in a tier B match.
(RF)
Organisers of the ICC T20 World Cup are sweating over after Pakistan refused to play nuclear-armed neighbours India in Colombo, a decision that has left administrators scratching their heads and staring at a potential financial googly.
The India–Pakistan contest, the jewel in the tournament’s crown, is the game that oils cricket’s economic engine. If the marquee clash is bowled out, the loss of revenue will have every stakeholder feeling the pinch from boardroom to boundary rope. Islamabad’s call to withdraw, taken at government level, has sparked fears the verdict will not be overturned.
Anticipation for the grudge match had reached fever pitch. Tickets vanished on day one of sales, while Colombo’s hotels were snapped up quickly. Five-star rooms that normally fetch 150 US dollars were hiked to 600 USD, some even soaring to 800 USD as the city braced for a carnival.
With the capital full to the rafters, tour operators shuttled visitors to nearby Negombo, an hour’s drive from the stadium, while others opted for apartments as accommodation ran dry. Flights, too, were booked well in advance, but uncertainty over the epic duel has now cast a long shadow.
“We haven’t had many cancellations yet, but we fear the worst. Everyone will take a hit if the game doesn’t take place,” aviation industry official Thusitha Perera told Telecom Asia Sport.
Gihan Wickramasinghe, representing Colombo’s hoteliers, echoed the concern. “Our hope is the match goes ahead. If not, we’ll have to refund bookings and the tour operators will be hit even harder.”
Tour operator Lisa Fernando said the anxiety was mounting. “Two groups from Dubai alone, 75 people, were coming. Corporate clients had planned trips down south as well. There’s a lot of money at stake and so much unnecessary stress.”
Indian fan Varun Kumar from Bangalore has already paid for flights and hotels but intends to travel regardless. “Sri Lanka has been on my bucket list. Whether the match happens or not, we’ll come to experience the country,” he said.
Sri Lanka Cricket remains optimistic the contest will be rescued before the final over is called. But if the showpiece is scratched, it would be a hammer blow to an economy only just finding its feet after years of setbacks, leaving the tournament badly caught behind.
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