Theologates “B” and Kandy YMCA emerge basketball champs

Theologates “B” from the Ampitiya National Seminary (mens) and Kandy Young Mens Christian Association (Womens) won the inter club basketball championship organized by the Kandy District Basketball Association worked off at St. Anthony’s Girls College, Courts, Kandy yesterday.

Theologates “B” on the verge of entering priesthood received enlightenment in basketball when they won the finals over the youthful Kandy Cagers by defeating them 18-16 after a very close tussle. In fact at the breather it was Kandy Cagers who led 10-8. But the Theologates “B” fought back to win a canter.

The Chief Minister of the Central Province and the President of the Sri Lanka Basketball Association Sarath Ekanayaka speaking on the occasion said that the Theologates “B” had done the National Seminary proud by winning this major tournament. Their success is even more creditable as they field no less than five teams which in a way diluted their strength but still they managed to win the finals. This is a clear indication of the abundance of talent in that religious institution which has now become household name for basketball.

In the semi finals Kandy Cagers beat Old Azarians 19-14 and Theologates “B” beat University of Peradeniya 27-16.

Old Azarians clinched the third place by defeating University of Peradeniya 15-9 in the losers’ finals.

Women’s Championship

In the championship for women, the ladies from the Kandy YMCA did what their men counterparts couldn’t do by winning the Kandy District championship for women in the league tournament as a round robin championship was not possible due to less participation of teams. Old Pushpadanians finished runner up and in third place was University of Peradeniya.

YMCA is an essentially a mens organization but it was the ladies who brought them honour led by Jee-

wanthi Wilathgama.

Golden Wings upset Madhyamalanka

Golden Wings Sports Club, Kandy scored one of the biggest upsets when they defeated the more fancied and last year’s finalists Madhyamalanka Sports Club 3-2 in Kandy Association Football League’s “A” Division inter club knock out soccer tournament match played at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy yesterday. At half time the Golden Wings led 1-0.;

This match also saw the return to the game by former Sri Lanka goal Keeper Kapila Dissa-

nayake after a lapse of 15 years and did an excellent job serving an object lesson to the youngsters. Kapila Dissanayake is also the President of the Kandy Association Football League and a Senior Manager of Peoples Bank Kandy.;

Golden Wings scored their goals through Dilan Herath (1), Harold Wijesinghe (1), and Dulath Weerasuriya (1), for Madhyamalanka M. Hassan and M. Rizwan scored a goal each.M. Jayantha Kumara refereed.

Pushpadana Girls Kandy emerge basketball champions

Pushpadana Girls College, Kandy, won the Kandy Schools girls under 19 basketball championships for the second successive year when they scored a thrilling 23 — 20 win over St. Anthony’s Girls College ‘A’ in the tournament organised by the Kandy District Basketball Association and played at St. Anthony’s Girls College courts, Katugastota. At half time the winners led 12 - 9.

The losers finale was not played and the two losing semi finalists Good Shepherd Convent and Colombo international School were adjudged joint Consolation cham-

Theologates “B” on the verge of entering priesthood received enlightenment in basketball when they won the finals over the youthful Kandy Cagers by defeating them 18-16 after a very close tussle

pions.

In the first semi finals Good Shepherd Convent put up a stupendous performance before going to St. Anthony’s Girls College 11 – 12 in a game which could have gone either way. Good Shepherd Convent have revived this sport recently and they have made good progress through their dedicated coach Jeewani Wilathgamuwa.

In the second semi finals Pushpadana Girls College beat Colombo International School 18 – 8.

The President of the Kandy Mens Hindu Association S. Baskaran and member Kandy Municipal Council Asmin Mathalie Marikkar distributed the awards.