Boxing's Moment of glory

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, if recent happenings are an indication, are seemingly more powerful than even the International Cricket Conference.

The BCCI had their own way when their team toured Australia early this year. Not only did the ICC dance to their tune, they even had Cricket Australia on their knees, even revoking the Harbhajan Singh ban and showing that they are the ones that would dominate not only the game , but also the administration.

Then what has gone wrong that the BCCI seems to have suddenly got upset and scared and have threatened to deprive Sri Lanka of finances and future tours.

Apparently they have been perturbed and shaken by the remarks made by Arjuna Ranatunga, Chairman, Sri Lanka Cricket.

The BCCI has known Ranatugna for a long time now, and are aware of the uncalled for statements he has a penchant for making in the heat of the moment.

Ranatunga sadly has the kink of shooting first and then asking questions. When he shoots his mouth out, he does so unaware of the consequences and the damage it is going to do for the player, the game and the administration.

From the moment Ranatunga sported his cap as Chairman, Sri Lanka Cricket he has been dragging the game and the administration into turbulence. He has been a one man show and in taking decisions whether they are good or bad, he does so without even keeping his Interim Committee members informed.

A case in point is the tour of England where he committed without informing his committee and knowing full well that several leading national players have been contracted to play in the Indian Premier League.

Now that was unbecoming of Ranatunga. What is inexplicable is that he batted for the England and Wales Cricket Board, being fully aware that the national cricketers have other contracts to honour.

The BCCI must not take its anger on Sri Lanka Cricket and deprive them of the promised finances and future tours because of Ranatugna. They must understand that Ranatugna is not Sri Lanka cricket and that Sri lanka Cricket is not Ranatunga.

Ranatungas' will come and go. But the game must go on. Minister of Sports Gamini Lokuge in asking the cricketers to honour their contracts with IPL had also made it known in no uncertain terms that Sri Lanka cannot afford to antagonise India.

So the BCCI would do well to let bygones be bygones, forget Ranatugna and help Sri Lanka Cricket in every endeavour.

Sad that Ranatugna had forgotten that it was India and Pakistan who strongly supported Sri Lanka's entry to be made full members of the International Cricket Council.

Sri Lanka cannot afford not to have the Indians touring here. With the Aussies losing their appeal, it is the Indians who are the attractions and money spinners.

Boxing's greatest moment

Sri Lanka's boxing enjoyed its greatest moment in its history when N.S.P. Silva convincingly outboxed and outpointed a World Champion in Dhobyshev Pavel of Russia at the dual contest at the Sugathadasa Stadium ring on Saturday night.

Boxing in the 57 kg category, Silva who came in as replacement for the sick Kamal Sameer entered the ring oozing with confidence, not worried of his opponents fearsome record and once the gong sounded boxed cleverly with a lot of science that had the World Champion back pedalling for most of the fight.

Silva was a revelation on that night. It was a shame on his opponent being a world renowned fighter to try underhand tactics, which is not boxing to try and outpoint Silva.

In fact, Silva gave the Russian an exhibition in what clean boxing is all about as he gallantly stood the ugly onslaught of a rattled opponent to finally have the referee lift his hand in victory, to thunderous applause of local fight fans.

Never before has any of our boxers beaten a World Champion. The honour of doing so goes to Silva a boxer from Peradeniay MV. He has not only done himself and the game proud, but brought great distinction to the country.

This writer hopes that he would be richly rewarded.

When this historic success is being spoken about one can't forget the man who made it all possible, although he would not want to take the credit a big bouquet and a loud cheer should go out to that man Dion Gomes.

Gomes had been Stubbs Shield Boxing Champion at Royal College. Once his boxing days were over he took to administering the fight game and it is his handwork and foresight that made it possible for the country to enjoy its greatest moment in the game. Gomes could well take a bow.

Also according to Sharm de Alwis, a former champion boxer and who is now a walking wisden in the fight game, not only in the scene here but also worldwide, this is the first time that he noticed the hype, the build up and the publicity for boxing.

It is the first time in my career as a boxer and a spectator that so much publicity was given to squared ring sport in the country. That was great of Gomes, said De Alwis.

With this success there is no doubt that boxing in the country is in for better times.

In the past Sri Lanka had boxers of the calibre of the Obeysekera brothers, Hundunge, Pereras (Albert), Fonsekas, Fernandos (Gunadasa), Grays (Eddie), Ekanayakes (Bertie and Hector), Liyanages (Sumith), Dharmasiri, Bulners, Van Cuylenbergs, Raymonds, De Zilwas, Pereiras and one remembers the famous Boxing Piyadasa. Then there was also Karunaratne, Marzook and Jaroof. But they could not achieve what Silva has achieved.

In those days, the fights, like the Clifford Cup, Layton Cup and the Stubbs Shield were fought out in Stadium in Bambalapitiya and the Depot Police Ring and what action and how cleanly were they contested. Now that Silva has shown the way boxing is in for better times.