Lanka prepares for gold in cricket

by Dhammika Ratnaweera

(November 21, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lankan cricket team led by Jehan Mubarak began their preparation ahead of the inaugural Twenty-20 Men’s cricket tournament at the 16th Asian Games which commences today at Guangzhou, China.

Currently the Sri Lanka cricket team is top seeded along with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. India is a notable absentee. Cricket is being introduced in the Asian Games for the first time. Malaysia, Hong Kong, Nepal and host China are also taking part but will have to play a first round league. The top two teams from the league will meet the four seeded teams in the quarter-finals which commences tomorrow (Nov 22).

The first match between Malaysia and China is scheduled to be played today at the Guangdong Stadium. Sri Lanka will play their first game on November 24 at 4.00pm local time. Sri Lankan coach Sumithra Warnakulasuriya told The Nation that his team is aiming for the gold medals. “All the players are in good shape physically and mentally. We hope to finish up with a good winning streak and take the gold medal,” he said.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka rugby team will play their first group match against the home team China at the University Twon Main Stadium at 8.00pm local time today. Sri Lanka rugby coach Imthi Marikkar said his team went through three practice sessions before their game.

“China is an experienced side in the Asian circuit. But we are confident and hope to make them work hard. We are grouped along host China, Korea and India. We hope to win at least two games to enter the next round. Everything will depend on the way we play on the day. All the team members are fit and that’s good news,” said Marikkar.

Sri Lankan medal prospects Chandrika Subashini (400m) and Manjula Kumara (high jump) will also compete today at the Aoti Stadium. Kumara together with his coaches Nagalingam Ethirveerasingham and Keerthi Bandara has been preparing for the big day while Subashini began her preparations under coach Badra Gunawardena.

Sprinter Shehan Ambepitiya who is having leg injury will most probably miss his events. Dr. Seewali Jayawickrama of the National Sports Medicine Centre who is with the team said that Ambepitiya had received special treatment from Chinese and Hong Kong doctors.

“He has a small fracture on his right foot and it’s unlikely that he may participate in his events. But I think treatment from here is very important for Ambepitiya who has a bright future according to the officials here,” said Dr. Jayawickrama.

Sri Lanka’s one and only female boxer Niranjala Senanayake will compete 57kg against Thailand boxer Thongjan Thassamaie today at Foshan Gymnasium at 6.30pm local time. The Sri Lanka team leader and golfer Mithun Perera could not come up expectations and finished 14th yesterday.