Sports
Dinesh Herath Wins Historic Gold for Sri Lanka and Breaks World Record in Javelin
Dinesh Priyantha Herath Mudiyanselage scripted history on Monday, 30th August, as he set a new world record in the Men’s Javelin Throw – F46 event with a distance of 67.79 meters and won the first ever Gold Medal for Sri Lanka at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. The proud sponsor of the National Paralympics Committee for over two decades and the Sri Lanka Army Para Games Committee since 2015, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, powered the 9-member strong contingent to Tokyo.
Following a remarkable journey from soldier to sporting glory, the Army veteran, flag bearer, and captain of the nine-member Sri Lankan contingent for the 2020 Paralympics, Herath adds this latest Gold to a string of remarkable successes and firsts for his country, including winning a Bronze Medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and the 2017 World Para Athletics Championship London, a Gold Medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games Jakarta, and a Silver Medalist at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championship Dubai.
Commenting on his win, Dinesh Herath said, “I am honoured to have represented my country at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and bring this victory home. I am incredibly thankful to everyone who supported me on my journey, including Hon. Namal Rajapaksa – Minister of Youth & Sports, Sports Ministry, my team, the National Paralympics Committee and our sponsor Dialog, for enabling this path towards victory for me and my team since the year 2000”.
Speaking on this momentous occasion, Hon. Namal Rajapaksa MP – Minister of Youth & Sports said, “It was a defining moment for our nation when the Sri Lankan national anthem echoed across the arena as Dinesh Herath won this historic Gold for our country. We are incredibly proud of his achievement. I would also like to commend the National Paralympics Committee for enabling these athletes to achieve greatness at a global platform, their commitment and dedication to the program has been exceptional. Combined with the efforts of the Department of Sports Development, the Ministry of Youth & Sports & the National Sports Council’s high performance program the Paralympic committee has set the bar for all other sporting bodies in Sri Lanka. I would also like to thank Dialog Axiata for their unwavering support towards the National Paralympic team for over two decades and for showing us all how empowering sports can truly transform lives.”
Dialog Axiata is the proud sponsor of Sri Lanka’s National Cricket, Rugby, Volleyball and Netball teams. The Company also has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, Club Rugby, Schools Rugby, Premier Football, Schools’ Cricket, Junior Volleyball and Paralympic sports – whilst also powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games and the Sri Lanka contingent to the World Paralympic Games.
India took on Bangladesh in Kuala Lumpur and delivered a commanding performance, restricting Bangladesh to a mere 64 runs before chasing down the target with ease in just 7.1 overs
Wet weather in Kuala Lumpur delayed the highly anticipated clash between India and Bangladesh, with rain threatening to force an abandonment of the second match of the day. However, the cricket gods showed mercy, allowing play to resume and ensuring a full spectacle. India won the toss and chose to field, immediately putting Bangladesh under pressure by taking a wicket on the third ball of the match. The Indian bowlers maintained their dominance, either claiming wickets or restricting runs, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 23-5 by the end of the tenth over.
Skipper Sumaiya Akter and Jannatul Maoua displayed resilience for Bangladesh, putting together a 31-run partnership before Vaishnavi Sharma made a crucial impact with two wickets in the 17th over. Bangladesh managed to reach 64-8 at the end of their 20 overs. Vaishnavi Sharma was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 3/15, while Shabnam, Joshitha V. J., and Trisha Gongadi each chipped in with a wicket.
India made light work of the chase, facing no resistance from the Bangladesh bowlers as they chased down the target in just 7.1 overs. Trisha Gongadi led the charge with a blazing 40 off 31 balls, featuring an impressive eight boundaries. Habiba Islam Pinky and Mst. Anisa Akter Soba managed to pick up a wicket each, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Bangladesh from suffering a heavy defeat.
Vaishnavi Sharma was awarded Player of the Match for her outstanding figures of 3/15.
With this victory, India secured their spot in the semi-finals with one game remaining against Scotland. Bangladesh are unable to make it out of the Super 6 stage regardless of the result in their final match against the West Indies.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh Women Under 19s 64/8 in 20 overs [Jannatul Maoua 14, Sumaiya Akter 24; Shabnam Shakil 1-07, VJ Joshitha 1-06, Vaishnavi Sharma 1-15, Gongadi Trisha 1-06] lost to India Women Under 19s 66/2 in 7.1 overs [Gongadi Sharma 40, Sanika Chalke 11*; Anisa Akter Soba 1-29, Habiba Islam 1-15] by nine wickets
The wet weather found its way to Malaysia’s capital, and the start to Sri Lanka’s Super Six showdown with Scotland continued to be pushed back, until time ran out.
The two sides split the points, with neither now able to qualify for the semi-finals.
Scotland will play their last game of the tournament on Tuesday against India, while Sri Lanka will end their campaign with the final match of the Super 6 phase against Australia on Wednesday.
Kamindu Mendis, who scored 1451 runs across formats at an average just above 50, rubbed shoulders with some of the greats of the game in 2024.
The flamboyant left-handed batter had made just a solitary Test appearance for Sri Lanka prior to 2024, but ended the year having not only cemented his place as an all-format resource for Sri Lanka but also becoming their go-to-player in moments of crises and when the stakes were high.
This was on the show during Sri Lanka’s push for a maiden ICC World Test Championship Final spot as the 26-year-old delivered a streak of big scores in the whites.
Mendis’ year in review: 1049 runs from nine Tests, averaging 74.92
Slotting in the middle-order, Mendis was one of the six batters who scored over 1000 Test runs in the recently concluded calendar year – averaging the highest among them.
Making the most of his starts, Mendis hit five centuries and three fifties in his staggering tally of runs, taking Sri Lanka home on multiple occasions.
[ICC]
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