Sports
Yupun’s gesture appreciated as the sprinter conducts workshop for youngsters

by Reemus Fernando
Sprint coach Sanjeewa Weerakkody appreciated Yupun Abeykoon’s efforts to enhance the knowledge on techniques of up and coming sprinters in Sri Lanka as South Asia’s fastest sprinter conducted a workshop for budding athletes at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Friday.
“His presence will be an inspiration to emerging sprinters. We must be thankful for sharing his expertise,” said Weerakkody in an interview with The Sunday Island on the sidelines of Yupun’s workshop.
Weerakkody, the coach of Sri Lanka’s national champions in both the men’s and women’s 100 metres was among a handful of coaches following Abeykoon’s “Train With Yupun” workshop.
The workshop was conducted to educate the young athletes on important aspects in sprinting.While sharing his ideas on running technique, nutrition and recovery the Commonwealth Games medallist also demonstrated sprint drills. Some four dozen athletes who had applied online for the workshop attended the more than two hour long session.
Abeykoon, who became the first South Asian athlete to produce sub 10 seconds in the 100 metres has been involved in a number of events educating the fans, fellow athletes and the sports hierarchy on his achievements during his short stay.
The Italy based athlete will return to his training base to start training for the next season where he is a medal prospect at a number of Asian events including the Asian Games.The 100 metres national record holder is the fastest athlete in Asia in the 100 metres this year and is expected to achieve podium places at both the Asian Athletics Championships and the Asian Games in 2023.
Latest News
BCB to follow government directive before finalising Pakistan tour

The BCB has said that they will rely on the Bangladesh government’s directive before finalising their tour to Pakistan later this month. Bangladesh were originally scheduled to play five T20Is there from May 25 to June 3, but the PSLs schedule was revised following cross-border tensions between Pakistan and India.
According to the revised fixtures, the PSL final will now be held on May 25, when Pakistan and Bangladesh were originally scheduled to play the first T20I.
ESPNcricinfo has learned that the PCB has sent a new schedule for the T20Is between Pakistan and Bangladesh, with the first match now slotted for May 27, and the last on June 5.
BCB’s media committee chairman Iftekhar Rahman said they will rely on information from government security agencies and the Bangladesh high commission in Islamabad to take the final decision.
“Once we receive official communication about the dates and venues [of the tour], we will forward it to the government,” Rahman said. “The BCB is not the decision-maker in this matter. If the government agencies and our embassy declare Pakistan safe for travel, only then will we proceed.
“In our previous meeting, we agreed that any such situation would be referred to the foreign and home ministries. Once we get clearance from all relevant bodies, we will finalise the tour. Security concerns were more significant in the past, but Pakistan has proven it can ensure safety. Still, given the current circumstances, we need to assess whether the situation across the country is stable before sending the team.”
Before playing Pakistan, Bangladesh are scheduled to play two T20Is against UAE in Sharjah on May 17 and 19. They were then supposed to fly to Lahore on May 21.
[Cricinfo]
Sports
Apna wins third title at 110th Colombo Championships

Apna Perera won his third title of the 110th Colombo Championships as he partnered Dhilvan Herath to beat Dumindu Dilum and Chehan Fernando in the open men’s doubles final.
Apna and Dhilvan registered 6-2, 6-2 win in the final.
Apna, the open men’s singles champion, was also the winner of the mixed doubles which was played according to round robin method. In the mixed doubles Apna partnered Inuki Jayaweera.
Results
Men’s doubles semi-finals
Apna Perera and Dhilvan Herath beat Ashen Silva and Lithum Jayabandu 6-1, 6-2
Dumindu Dilum and Chehan Fernando beat Methika Wickramasinghe and Vichinthya Nilaweera 6-3, 2-6, 10-4.
Sports
Sri Lanka Cricket conducts fast bowling talent search in Polonnaruwa

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) recently carried out a Fast Bowling Talent Search program in the Polonnaruwa District as part of its ongoing efforts to identify and nurture emerging cricketing talent across the country.
The program, held at the Royal College Ground, Polonnaruwa, attracted over 60 promising young players—both boys and girls—including school cricketers of the district. Each participant underwent skill assessments to evaluate their fast bowling potential.
Following the evaluations, 20 talented bowlers were selected for further development.
The selected players will now receive structured training under the guidance of Provincial coaches of Sri Lanka Cricket, with a focus on refining their techniques and enhancing their overall performance.
Those who continue to demonstrate consistent improvement will be given the opportunity to join SLC’s district squads, thereby becoming part of the official National Pathway Program.
This initiative is a part of SLC’s ‘Cricket Gamata’, program which aims to find talent from rural areas across Sri Lanka.
The talent assessments were conducted by Lasantha Lakmin, SLC Talent Scout for the North Central and North Western Provinces; Lakshitha Herath, North Central Provincial Women’s Coach; and Saman Senanayake, North Central Provincial Fast Bowling Coach.
The event was organized by the North Central Provincial Cricket Association under the guidance of Sri Lanka Cricket. It was managed by Krishan Anandakumar, Manager of the Center of Excellence, Dambulla.
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