Sports

Moors Sports Club, steeped in rich history spanning over 110 years and situated in the heart of Colombo has now embarked on a course to position itself as the leading cricket playing club in the country. The Moors Sports Club committee is headed by Sajjad Mowzoon with the Hon. General Secretary being Dr. A.M. Mubarak. In addition to cricket, the club offers facilities for Billiards and Snooker, Tennis, a gymnasium, ground facilities and a pavilion.

Moors SC President Sajjad Mowzoon

Cricket has been in the forefront for Moors SC’s sporting endeavors given the fact that cricket was played from the very inception of the club and it has brought much glory and fame to the club over the years. A vibrant and revamped cricket committee composed of leading sportsmen and administrators have now been entrusted the task of regaining the club’s former glory.

Accordingly, the Cricket Committee is as follows:

1. Zuraish Hashim - Cricket Secretary
2. Hisham Jamaldeen
3. Reyaz Noor
4. Jehan Mubarak
5. Dinesh Schaffter

Chamara Kapugedera brought in as Head Coach

Moors SC has appointed Sri Lankan national cricketer Chamara Kapugedera as the Head Coach. Kapugedera played for Sri Lanka from 2008 representing the country in 8 test and 102 ODIs plus 48 T20s. He has been given the clear mandate to position Moors SC as one of the top three clubs in the country for Cricket within the next three years.

Kapugedara will be ably assisted by former national player Jehan Mubarak and former first class player Dinesh Schaffter who will serve as the cricket advisors who will be tasked with managing the cricket affairs of the club.

In recent history a crop of players from Moors SC, namely Chamara Silva, Sajeewa Wijekoon and Kosala Kulasekera had the distinction of representing the national cricket team. Players in the ilk of Rangana Herath (National Player) and Chandika Hathurusingha (national player and coach) have also represented the Moors Sports Club. Up and coming youngster Ramesh Mendis has been identified by the administration as another clear hopeful in this regard.

Speaking to our paper, Hisham Jamaldeen, member of the cricket committee and treasurer of the club said, “We are bringing new life and energy to our club. With the new committee being put in place, coupled with the hiring of former national cricketer Chamara Kapugedera as Head Coach for the next three years, we are extremely confident of achieving our mandate. We want to revamp the club cricket structure and put in place all systems to produce many more national players. We have done reasonably well in the recent club cricket season being able to win the Plate Championship, but we yearn for more."

"With the plans that have been clearly drawn up by Moors SC for Cricket and the in-house desire for pro-active implementation, we can expect the club to create positive waves in the cricketing sphere in the not so distant future," he added.

According to SLC sources, Sony had earlier submitted a bid for all media rights (Television – Digital combine) for $22.5 Mn and that stays their final bid amount.

The sources further inform InsideSport that the offer by SPN is way below the expectations of SLC. But owing to the limited interest by the other parties, SLC are not left with any option but to accept the offer. Though SLC according to the source will attempt one last time to negotiate with the broadcaster.

“Market has not responded to our rights favorably. Coronavirus has taken its toll. The board will try one last time to negotiate with Sony to increase the price and we are confident that they being our long term partner will understand our situation”, said one of the SLC board members following the bid process closely.

Low offers are not the only thing which is worrying SLC. The sources say that SPN’S offer is conditional. In case the postponed tour of the Indian cricket team to Sri Lanka does not materialize in the contract period, the offered values will be eroded by almost 40-45%.

“We are confident, BCCI will reschedule the series soon. It is a committed series in the FTP and cannot be cancelled. It is just a matter of rescheduling the series but this is true that Sony’s offer to us will reduce considerably if, God forbid, the tour gets cancelled for some reasons”, added the SLC board member.

Novak Djokovic has been defaulted from the US Open for hitting and felling a lineswoman with a ball.

The world No.1 fled Flushing Meadows without facing the press but just issued a statement on social media, saying he felt "sad and empty".

"I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok," Djokovic wrote.

"I'm extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong.

"I apologise to the @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behaviour."

The tournament favourite, who was trying to add to his haul of 17 Grand Slams, pleaded his case with officials for 10 minutes but was kicked out of the New York major.

Djokovic whacked a ball towards the back of the court in a moment of frustration, without looking where it was going, after dropping serve in the first set to trail 5-6 in his fourth round match against Pablo Carreno Busta.

The ball hit the lineswoman in the head/neck area, dropping her to the ground. The lineswoman grabbed her throat after falling. Djokovic quickly ran to her aid but the damage.

An official of the Cycling Federation told the Sunday Observer that the Ministry had treated them not in the same manner as they have treated other sports bodies.

“Sports like cricket, rugby, football or athletics have been given due regards by the Sports Ministry. How did they solve the match fixing allegation on the Cricket World Cup 2011 so quickly,” said the official who did not want to be quoted as he is not authorised to make public comments.

“We have been accused of wrong-doing in one event at the South Asian Games last year. We have submitted our explanation to this allegation which the ministry is yet to take up.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday appointed Dr Jayantha Dharmadasa as the new vice president after K Mathivanan resigned from his post.

Sri Lanka batting legend Aravinda de Silva has said that the claims made by former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage that the 2011 World Cup final was fixed are "lies". He, however, urged the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to launch an investigation. "We cannot let people get away all the time with lies. I request everyone, ICC, BCCI, and SLC to investigate this immediately," Silva told Sri Lankan newspaper Sunday Times.

The former SLC chairman of selectors said legends like Sachin Tendulkar, who won his maiden World Cup in 2011, deserve the respect and that's why it's the duty of the Indian government and BCCI to initiate an impartial probe.

"Just like we cherished our World Cup victory, players like Sachin (Tendulkar) cherish these moments for the rest of their lives. I think in the interest of Sachin and the millions of cricket fans across India, it's the duty of the Indian government and their cricket board to initiate an impartial inquiry to see whether they have won a fixed World Cup," de Silva said.

 "When serious allegations like these are being made, it affects a lot of people. In this case not only us, the selectors, the players, and the team management but Indian cricketers who deservingly won the world title. We need to clear this once and for all for the greater good of the game we love," he added.

Aluthgamage had earlier stated in an interview that the match, which India won at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2011, was "fixed."

"The 2011 Cricket World Cup final was fixed. I stand by what I say. It took place when I was the minister of sports," Aluthgamage told Sri Lankan outlet newsfirst.lk.

"However, I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country. The game against India in 2011, the game we could have won, was fixed.

"I say this with a responsibility and I can come forward for a debate. The people are concerned about it. I would not involve the cricketers in this.

"However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game," he added.

 Former Sri Lankan captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene both responded to Aluthgame's comments, saying the allegations were not true and also demanded evidence.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Sports Ministry has also launched an inquiry into match-fixing allegations with regard to 2011 World Cup final. The Special Investigations Unit of the ministry would be looking into the matter.

On April 2, 2011, India had won their second ODI World Cup title riding on the heroics of Gautam Gambhir and then skipper MS Dhoni. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted a commanding total of 274/6 in 50 overs with Mahela Jayawardene (103*) slamming an unbeaten ton.

Chasing the target, half-centuries from Gambhir (97) and Dhoni (91*) helped the team get over the line with 10 balls to spare.

According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is currently in talks with its Sri Lankan counterparts (SLC) and if everything falls into place “Bangladesh men’s pending three-Test series against hosts Sri Lanka could be rescheduled to October.”

The three-Test series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship, was earlier scheduled to be held between July and August but was deferred due to the pandemic.

The ICC on Monday postponed the T20 World Cup which was scheduled to be held in Australia between October-November.

The report said that both "boards are keen on having the Test series squeezed into the earliest possible window."

“The ICC’s announcement of the three major tournaments has provided what window we can work with, as now that we know that the tournament dates are fixed, we can work around with our schedule,” BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury told the website.

“Both boards are positive about the Test series going ahead later this year. We are in talks with SLC. Sri Lanka is in a better condition (in terms of COVID-19 caseload) than any of the other sub-continent countries at the moment, and since the situation is not favourable here, we are more keen on the away matches.” (PTI)

Virat Kohli and his men were scheduled to play three one-day matches and an equal number of Twenty20 internationals but the Indian board (BCCI) has informed Sri Lanka Cricket that the tour “will not be feasible”.

The Indian cricketers, who have not even started training, will follow advice from the Indian government health regulatory authorities before resuming cricket, the SLC has been told.

BCCI treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal said India remained committed to the Future Tours Programme (FTP) and would tour Sri Lanka at a more opportune time.

“We're committed to FTP, but given the current situation, it's not possible for the team to travel, it's not safe,” Dhumal told Reuters by telephone.

“So we'll see whenever there is an opportunity, we'll try and make up for this series.”

The SLBF has circulated these guidelines to their 34 affiliated associations including schools, clubs and mercantile sector to adhere strictly to the health guidelines and commence their activities.

According to the secretary it is likely that it will require some time for these stakeholders to get their act together before commencement of practices.

The governing body is closely monitoring their progress and no sooner they obtain the clearance to resume the tournaments.

They will start playing all the stipulated competitions listed in their calendar. All their activities were halted with the corona virus outbreak way back in mid March.

The progress of the Corona pandemic will play a vital role in continuation of the game in the future.

Meanwhile the SLBF is in the process of making adequate arrangements to prepare a women’s team (3x3) to represent the country in the under-18 Women’s Cup to be held in Hungary from 26 to 31 August. Twelve countries are scheduled to participate in this tournament. This squad is training under the watchful eyes of Ajith Kuruppu who is the senior National basketball coach. Four players and two stand-byes have been selected for this tour. The reopening date of Bandaranaike International Airport will be a key factor before taking part in this tourney.

The men’s under-23 teams too are gearing for their World Cup to be held from October 9 to12 for which the venue is yet to be decided. Coinciding the under-23 Asian League Championship is finalized to be staged in Sanya, China in December. SLBF is to form a pool of 39 players this weekend for trials before selecting the teams to participate in these tournaments. Apart from this another tournament is lined up which is the men’s and women’s Asian Championship to be held in Chandsha, China from September 15 to 25 for which the SLBF is also keen to take part in.

“We have got the go ahead from the concerned authorities including the Sports Ministry and instructed our affiliates to act accordingly. After the Corona pandemic it takes time to resume the activities. We are gradually building up this process with our stakeholders including schools, clubs and mercantile sector. Once we get the final clearance we will start the competition,” said the secretary.

(Althaf Nawaz)

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has offered Sri Lanka the rights to host the upcoming Asia cup. Pakistan was originally scheduled to host this year’s Asia cup in September. Despite that, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) agreed to the proposal of ACC for giving Sri Lanka the hosting rights of the Asia Cup 2020.

The event had an uncertain future after India refused to tour Pakistan. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief Shammi Silva discussed the hosting rights with PCB to which they agreed due to the current situation because of COVID-19. The two cricket boards in an online meeting talked about the event and it is now almost certain that Sri Lanka would host the Asia Cup this year.

“We discussed with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and they have already agreed to our hosting this edition due to the present world situation. We had an online ACC meeting and they basically gave us the green light to host the tournament”, Shammi Silva was quoted as saying by ”Ceylon Today’.

The ACC will wait for ICC’s decision on whether Australia will host the T20 world cup in October and November. The ACC also discussed possible venues for the Asia Cup that would provide a safe environment for the players.

“The Cricket Boards emphasized the importance of holding the Asia Cup 2020. In light of the impact and consequences of the asiaCOVID-19 pandemic, possible venue options for the Asia Cup 2020 were discussed and it was decided to take the final decision in due course,” an ACC press release stated after the meeting.

The National Men’s players will return to training on the 01st June 2020, strictly adhering to the health regulations imposed by the Government in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced.

Accordingly, the selected squad of 13 members will undergo a 12 day ‘Residential Training Camp’ at the CCC, Colombo, whilst they will stay as a group in a hotel during the entirety of the camp.

The players taking part in the camp represents a general squad chosen from across all formats, and primarily consist of bowlers, as they need more time for ‘conditioning’ before going into active competition.

The coaching and support staff consists of a four member unit.

The 12 day ‘Residential Training Camp’ was implemented, taking into consideration the health regulations imposed by the Government, which specifies cricket as a ‘High Risk’ sport and needs residential training.

SLC has taken all required measures in consultation with the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Health to ensure the safety of every individual involved in this exercise, and has formulated a set of procedures to adhere, during the camp period and before.

Accordingly, some of the procedures are as follows,

- All vehicles involved in the program will be disinfected before commencing the ‘Residential Camp’ and also during the camp period.

- Whilst health officials already visited the hotel and the practice venue, and provided health guidelines to the staff members of the respective venues to follow, during the camp period.

- Members taking part in the camp, will not be allowed to leave the hotel premises or the practice venue to attend personal matters during the training period.