Sports Snippets

First astro turf wicket in Kandy

CRICKET: First astre turf wicket in the outstations will be declared open today (Sunday) - at St. Sylvesters College grounds, Sri Sumangala Mawatha in Kandy at 5 p.m.

This astro wicket is constructed by the National Cricket Development Committee of Sri Lanka with a view of promoting cricket in the outstations.

This astro turf is similar to grass wickets and one of the difference being that it is constructed out of artificial meterials and the maintenance is less expensive. Matches could be played on this but soft soled boots will have to worn to prevent any damage to the turf.

Kandy District Cricket Association identified the grounds of St. Sylvesters College as one of the venues where this infrastructure could be provided. Police grounds in Kandy is the other venue where astro turf wicket will be provided.

A happy 'homecoming' for Athuraliye family

HOMECOMING The sporting doctor D. S. Athuraliye. Mrs. Shiromi Athuraliye and son Anuruddha who were sporting figures in Kandy in the good old days have come back to Kandy on holiday from United States of America.

In Sri Lanka, Dr. Athuraliye was the head of the sports department of the Kandy Municipality as was the veterinary surgeon and he was responsible in organising the Mayor's Cup hockey and football tournaments.

He also inaugurated a sports fund for the needy children in the Kandy Municipal area.

An old Royalist, Dr. Athuraliye was a fine cricketer and a hockey player during his playing days. He migrated to USA in 1994 after retirement.

He has two sons - Dumal and Anuruddha, both Trinitians who won the coveted Ryde Gold Medal being outstanding students. Both sons are married and settled down in USA as engineers.

Kandy M.C. allocates funds for sports

SPORTS EQUIPMENT: Kandy Municipal Council has allocated Rs. 1.6 million for the purchase of cricket materials for the 45 Community Centres and 22 Playgrounds maintained by the Municipal Council in the Kandy area.

The Playgrounds will receive footballs, volleyballs, netballs, softball cricket material and rugger balls.

For the Community Centres, table tennis equipment, weightlifting equipment, draught boards, carrom and chess boards were distributed.

The Playgrounds Department is very active and they organise annual road races, inter-playground soccer, cricket and netball tournaments among the members of the playgrounds and also Mr. M.C. Contest and weightlifting contests for the community centres.

Cricket materials to be distributed today

CRICKET: Kegalle District Cricket Association will distribute cricket materials to its affiliated clubs at a ceremony to be held at Kegalle today at 9.30 am. Priyantha Algama of the Cricket Development Committee of Sri Lnaka Cricket will be the Chief Guest and distribution of materials will also be made by the Kegalle DCA President Lalith Rambukwella, Vice President M. Jayaratne, M. Hittige and General Secretary M. Nawaz.

Around 15 cricket playing clubs from the Kegalle District will receive cricket materials which will help them to go through the 2007 cricket season. These cricket materials were provided by the Interim Committee of the Sri Lnaka Cricket under the chairmanship of Jayantha Dharmadasa.