13th National Netball Championships:

NFSL should be congratulated for job well done

By Hafiz MARIKAR

NETBALL: The 13th Netball Nationals conducted last week in the historic city of Kandy at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium was a marvelous success and one must not hesitate to congratulate the President of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation Leisha Chandrasena de Silva and her tireless band of committee Members, who contributed a great deal in making this national sport a resounding success.

For the first time all matches were played at one venue with eight courts with perfect ground conditions which every player, umpire and the spectators enjoyed. The Opening ceremony was out of the world with traditional Kandyan dancers welcoming the Chief Guest Delum Amunugama Member of Parliament and Kandy District Basketball Association President, associated with him was the President of the Netball Federation Leisha Chandrasena de Silva, Shanthini Kongahage Provincial Councilor and President of the Kandy Netball Association, Gamini Obeyasekara from the Education Department and Hatton National Bank Manager Saman Rathnapriya all of them made the occasion colourful by lighting the traditional oil lamp and also hoisting the appropriate flags.

The prize distribution too was absolutely fantastic and a class of its own. I have been to many places for netball matches, but this was one of the finest and a grand occasion well organized. The prize distribution ceremony was graced by the sporting Sports Minister C.B. Ratnayake a product of Vidyartha College, Kandy who has taken upon himself to lift all sports activities in the country. Earlier the Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake _ another lover of sports gives a very big hand for all sports and he was there despite his busy schedules to witness the final and had to leave early for another sporting function. Member of Parliament for Kandy Dilum Amunugama, Member of Parliament for Hambantota District Namal Rajapaksa who initiated the Tharunayata Hetak (Sports for the Youth) too was a invitee for the final but excused himself as he was overseas. The Senior Manager of the Kandy Branch of the Hatton National Bank Nirosh Perera also graced the occasion.

C.B. Ratnayake told me that it was a fine tournament and he was happy to see that tournaments of this nature are being well organized and said that future events to be organized better, and better creating a very high standard. He said that he will give a big boost for the Netball Federation and promote the game to reach great heights. He further said that the Federation is blessed with a fine set officials who are capable of undertaking anything at its best. He said that he would like to thank

everyone who gave a helping hand to make this event a grand success.

Now, Netball which is independent and out of the Interim Committee is heading towards a bright future. He congratulated the organizers for good job well done. The hospitality bestowed on the players and officials of the teams was something very professionally undertaken, I think no one at any time was made to feel, they were out of home. For all - the hardwork a big thank you should be extended to Leisha Chandrasena de Silva the kingpin of the game, Yasa Ramachandra, Damayanthi Jayatilleke, Deepthi Alwis the Competition Committee Secretary who was excellent in her job. Kumudini Gomez, Sudarma Jayawardene, Chandrani Pathiraja, Sanoja Bibile, Asoka Manchanayake and Umpires Committee Chairman Shanthini Unantenne was there with her top class umpires who did a fine job with the whistle. Padma Beddewela did her part by giving a good announcing job.

Adding to this, there was also Kandy's Shanthini Kongahage and her secretary R. Kumarihamy. Shathini is a good bet to serve in the Sri Lanka Netball Federation, high time they invite her to join the committee. Many thanks to Leisha de Silva for having obtained the Hatton National Bank sponsorship for the event, Nestle provided refreshments for all participants.

Kandy Sports Club, the rugby giants in Sri Lanka extended a sporting hand by granting the club and playing area with all facilities for the tournament. So, once again the Netball Federation should be very happy for getting an overall support from all sports loving public and organizations. Leisha de Silva is hard working and is known to all as a person who gets things going at the highest levels.

This may be the first time the Netball Nationals was held in Kandy, and this Nationals came after a lapse of three long years.

According to history, this was the 13th National Championship, in which Hatton National Bank had the privilege of winning on 12 occasions and it was only this time that Seylan Bank emerged as champions, beating Hatton National bank by 78 points to 57.

The third place went to Air Force Netball Club as they beat Police Netball Club by 32 point to 29. Jayaliya Kumari of Seylan Bank emerged as the Netball Queen, and the Seylan Bank's Thrjini Sevalingam won the Best Shooters Award, the Best Goal Defence Award went to Dhammika Malkanthi of Air Force N.C., Best Centre Court Player award was given to Sadujni Bolagala, Seylan Bank N.C.

The Best Attacking Player Award went to Dahrshani Abeyawickrema, Hatton National Bank N.C. and Prsadika Nuwanthika of Kandy Netball Club was adjudged the Best-Up-and-Coming Player.