Cricket, Golf and Handball in 2010 SAG

by Leslie FERNANDO

SOUTH ASIAN GAMES: For the first time three disciplines Cricket, Golf, and Handball will be included at the South Asian to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 29 to February 8 to 2010.

According to Director General of Sports, Bandula Dahanayake, cricket will be either Twenty 20 or One-Day International. The Asian Olympic Committee will decide on the pattern of play in the cricket tournament and will inform the participating nations. It is good for Sri Lanka for the inclusion of these three disciplines. "We have a strong chance to do well in these events" said Bandula Dahanayake.

Deputy Director General of Sports, Dervin Perera said the co-ordinating officials had been appointed to get the necessary help to the Sports Ministry to various associations.

He also said that some associations are delaying their list of final selections till the end of December, but, they have to submit them soon as organisers in Bangladesh had requested us to send them before November 30.

Handball starts

One hundred persons participated in the coaching session organised with the participation of Indian Handball expert, Atanu Mazumdar. He thinks if the Sri Lanka team practises well in the coming two months, a silver medal at the 11th South Asian Games is within the reach of the Lankans.

L.K. Jayaweera, Director Sports - Ministry of Education presented certificates to the participants at the Olympic House at Independent Avenue.

S.M. Bali, General Secretary, Handball Federation India and Vice-President South Asian Handball Federation graced the occasion.

Sri Lanka's aim

If sports in Sri Lanka are to be developed, the Ministries of Education and Sports should work together. For the past 15 years this has been emphasised, but there has been no positive results. School is the base of sports. Therefore L. K. Jayaweera's presence here is a great thing. Winning a medal at the 11th South Asian Games and popularising handball are two of our aims, Hemasiri Fernando, Chairman Sri Lanka Handball Federation and National Olympic Committee said, addressing the gathering.

After April 2010, ten of best Sri Lanka players and two coaches will be sent to Korea for a month long training he said.

Training essential

Bandula Dahanayake, Director General of Sports commented that with the beginning of SAARC Games in 1984 with seven countries in the South Asian Region, the local and foreign policies of those countries experienced a noticeable progress.

The countries grew in reputation as countries that are capable of competing with the very best in the world when it comes to sport. Sports mean overcoming challenges. To do that one needs to be trained properly. Sports helps a person find right solutions to problems he or she faces in day to day activities.

Although Sri Lanka secured the second position at the 5th SAG but at the 10th SAG the country ended third.

Why did we fare poorly although we had improved on necessary equipment, facilities, nutrition, and medical aid? We need to think about this seriously.

For the 11th Games the country is free from terrorism and our competitors can concentrate a great deal on their disciplines.

We need to find ways to forge ahead of India the super power of the region. It is sad to note that results are poor although a lot of money is spent.

Sri Lanka should concentrate a great deal. Parents and relatives must support competitors fully. A close relationship with coaches and trainers will help them.

Then the dedication of sports associations is vital. They need to work hard rather than depend solely on the sports Ministry and the government at large to a achieve targets.

Co-ordination important

Co-ordination officers have been appointed for the 23 sports disciplines of the 11th SAG.

The duty of the officers is to look into how training sessions are done and get reports from coaches, trainers, them look into the supply of food for competitors in residential training, work with sports medicine units and have a co-ordinate work programme.

The necessary funds have to be made available for the preparation of the competitors. These should be a close monitor of their reports and should write reports every week end liaise with the Director General Sports.

2nd SAF Games - Dhaka 1985

Despite missing the golden opportunity of becoming the first ever hosts, Bangladesh staged the second SAF Games from December 20 to 26 in 1985 with seven disciplines. Wrestling and Kabadi were added to Dhaka Games as the two new disciplines. In Kathmandu, in the inaugural games, only five sports were included Athletics, Swimming, Soccer, Boxing and Weightlifting.

Once again India finished way ahead of the rest by accounting to 61 of the 94 gold medals on offer. They retained the 22 Weightlifting gold medals won in 1984 and added 18 Athletic golds. India's Tara Singh was the king of long distance running, picking both the men's 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres titles. India won both the Soccer and Kabaddi gold. India and Pakistan dominated in Wrestling and Weightlifting events.

Sri Lanka finished fourth in the overall race with Ruwan Chandratilake winning a gold in the men's 400 metres (48.0 secs) and Dilima Peterson a gold medal in the women's long jump (5.73 metres). Sri Lanka also bagged seven silver medals and nine bronze medals.

The countrywise medal summary: India 61 gold, 32 silver, 14 bronze total 107 (first), Pakistan - 21 gold, 26 silver, 12 bronze - 59 (second), Bangladesh 9 gold, 17 silver, 38 bronze - 64 (third), Sri Lanka - 2 gold, 7 silver, 9 bronze 18 (fourth), Nepal - 1 gold, 9 silver, 22 bronze - 32 (fifth), Bhutan - 4 bronze - 4 (sixth) and Maldives medals tally zero. nil

(more on other sports next week).