Sports

‘One Mile Challenge’ among top attractions in Sports Ministry’s new initiative

Published

5 years ago

2021/01/18

by Reemus Fernando

‘One Mile Challenge,’ a road running event, is among a series of talent identification competitions which is set to attract the interests of track enthusiasts when the Sports Ministry and its affiliate the Department of Sports Development launch a new initiative ‘Pubudamu Kreeda Tharu’.

‘Pubudamu Kreeda Tharu’

is a competition based talent identifying initiative which will be conducted in each district. The programme is aimed at identifying and developing talent for various sports.

“This programme is the brain child of the Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. The programme will help identify talented athletes who will be given special training to groom them for various sports,” said project officer Jayantha Siyamudali of the Department of Sports Development in an interview with The Island.

“Competitions to identify talent will be held in each district. With cash rewards awarded to winners we expect big participation,” said Siyamudali who will steer the programme with the support of fellow committee members Rukmal Wijeratne, Chaminda Jayawardena and Lakmini Samarasinghe.

“We will conduct the initial technical workshop on January 26 and 27 to finalize the programme and we are looking forward to commence it in March,” he said.

The new programme will be held in stages with the winners of each district advancing to a national competition. It will also be contested in Under-20 and over 20 age categories.

“Coordination and agility, strength and power, speed and strength, strength and balance and endurance are the key physical attributes which will be put to test.”

The ‘One Mile Challenge’ will be contested as a road event and the organizers are looking forward to use the experience they had gained when they conducted such events in Badulla in 2019.

A pro agility competition, a both leg jump competition, standing javelin throw or a cricket ball throw, standing on one leg and the one mile challenge are the disciplines that will be contested at the Pubudamu Kreeda Tharu competitions.

“Both leg jumps will help identify the leg power which is vital for various sports. We will train such athletes selected from this programme for suitable sports.”

Except the One Mile Challenge, other events will be contested at sports stadiums.

A pool of nearly 80 athletes will be selected from each district and they will be given special training at Provincial level. A final national level pool will be selected after the national competition. The winners of the national competition too will be presented with cash awards.

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Sports

Ananda earn first innings honours against Royal

Published

2 hours ago

2026/01/3

Thilina Walpola

Ananda earned first innngs honours against Royal as a five wicket haul by spinner Kithma Vidanapathirana and useful contributions with the bat from Nethula Edirimanne (34), Vidanapathirana (30), Lithma Perera (44), Rashan Dilaksha (52) and Himira Kudagama (24n.o.) stood in good stead for the home team in the Under 19 traditional cricket encounter at Ananda Mawatha on Friday.‎

‎Scores

‎Royal 189 all out in 53.1 overs (Rehan Peiris 58, Udantha Gangewatta 33, Sehandu Sooriyaarachchi 22; Kithma Vidanapathirana 5/34, Ashinsa Nainayake 2/38) and 222 for 9 in 62 overs (Hirun Liyanarachchi 57, Rehan Peiris 29, Udantha Gangewatta 47, Thevindu Wewalwala 37; Danindu Sellapperuma 5/45)

‎Ananda 239 all out in 69.5 over (Nethula Edirimanne 34, Kithma Vidanapathirana 30, Lithma Perera 44, Rashan Dilaksha 52, Himira Kudagama 24n.o.; Himaru Deshan 2/56, Ramiru Perera 5/61)

‎Bens looking for first innings advantage against Thomians at Kotahena

Day One ‎Scores

‎S. Thomas’ 189 all out in 63.3 overs (Mahith Rajapaksha 29, Ludeesha Matarage 25, Reshon Soloman 20, Raphael Hettige 44, Shanil Perera 22; Vihanga Rathnayaka 4/30, Lithika Jayasundara 2/17)

‎St. Benedict’s 134 for 4 in 31 overs (Mario Fernando 49, Mihila Jayaweera 47, Vihanga Rathnayake 22n.o.; Gimhan Mendis 3/29) (RF)

Latest News

SCG curator ‘really happy’ with pitch for final Ashes Test

Published

16 hours ago

2026/01/2

Priyan

The pitch at the SCG has been the centre of much attention [Cricinfo]

Todd Murphy is firming to play his first home Test, after the SCG’s head curator declared the pitch’s green covering would be near-irrelevant come day one.

With administrators still on edge after last week’s two day debacle in Melbourne, an extremely green SCG surface raised eyebrows in Sydney on Thursday.

But chief curator Adam Lewis insisted on Friday that should not be a concern, and he was hopeful Sydney would extend into a fifth day.

“You want to see green tinge three days out,” Lewis said. “If you’re not seeing any live grass three days out, then that’s when it’s a worry, … I’m really comfortable with where we’re sitting.

“We had a little bit of sun this morning. They’re saying a bit more sun tomorrow. That will take the greenness out of the pitch. We’re really happy with the pitches at the moment. We’re looking good.”

Lewis admitted he felt for MCG counterpart Matt Page last week, but said he felt no external pressure to ensure the fifth Test in Sydney went the distance.

It’s estimated that Cricket Australia (CA) has lost in the vicinity of AUD15 million in profits this summer, with the opening Test in Perth also finishing inside two days.

Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joked at a function with teams on Thursday night that they had to ensure the game went to day three, in order to support the McGrath Foundation fundraiser.

One of the hardest grounds in the world to bowl on between 2014 and 2023, last year’s SCG Test was over in just two-and-a-half days.

Lewis said that his ground staff would go with 6mm of grass this year compared to 7mm last season, while also reducing its density. That in itself generally acts to flatten out the wicket and produce less movement, while also inviting the chance of spin late in the match.

“We just thought … we could thin our density out a little bit,” Lewis said. “That’s what we’ve done this year. We’ve practised that in the Shield matches and we’ve received very good marks.”

CA CEO Todd Greenberg said he too was confident the SCG Test would last the distance.

“I’ve had more phone calls and conversations about wickets and millimetres of grass than I thought I’d ever have,” Greenberg said. “But I’m hopeful and confident we will have a long and productive Test match here.”

All of which should spell good news for Murphy. Australia’s coaching staff had a prolonged conversation around the pitch on Friday morning, after leaving Murphy out and going with four quicks at the MCG.

Murphy then spent most of Friday’s training session bowling to Australia’s top order, while Alex Carey also had an extended run keeping to him.

With seven Tests to his name overseas, Murphy would be expected to come in for Jhye Richardson if he does play in Sydney.

England have promised to take the attack to Murphy, who played two Tests during the 2023 Ashes were he conceded 4.72 an over.

“Whoever plays, I think that’s the mantra of our team, is to try and put pressure on people,” opener Zak Crawley, said. “Todd’s a very good bowler, but I can envisage us trying to put some pressure on him, like we would all their bowlers.

That’s going to come with some risks, and if it’s turning it’s definitely going to be a threat. But I think we’ll try and put pressure on all their bowlers.”

The other question for Australia will be whether Cameron Green remains in the side, after Beau Webster was spotted fielding in the gully during slips training on Friday. Green has averaged 18.66 with the bat in this series. The SCG was the scene of Webster’s debut a year ago against India.

[Cricinfo]

Sports

Pramod hits 42 runs in an over

Published

1 day ago

2026/01/2

Thilina Walpola

Pramod Madushan hit 42 runs in an over.

Young Pramod Madushan has become the talk in cricket circles after he scored 42 runs in an over for Mercantile Services Cricket Academy against Sigi Cricket Academy at Ambalangoda recently.

In an over that contained nine deliveries, including two no-balls and a wide, Madushan cut loose hitting three fours and five sixes. In all, the over bowled by Bihandu Sandiv went for 45 runs.

The young cricketer from D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo shares the same name as Sri Lanka fast bowler Pramod Madushan. However, the 19-year-old is a wicketkeeper batter.

His knock of 103 came in just 38 deliveries and contained eight fours and ten sixes.