Latest news with #Perera
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada international Achini Perera takes to the street for Cricket to Conquer Cancer
TORONTO - Achini Perera gets to tick a few boxes Saturday, playing cricket and helping raise money for a good cause. The Canadian international cricketer is taking part in the inaugural Cricket to Conquer Cancer, a street cricket fundraiser for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. More than 40 teams will be participating at Celebration Square in suburban Mississauga, Ont., with celebrities including singer Jully Black, former soccer star Dwayne De Rosario and former Raptor Jamaal Magloire and West Indies cricketer Carlos Brathwaite. Like many taking part, Brathwaite has a personal connection to the cause. His mother is a cancer survivor. Saturday is also Cricket Day at the Park at the Rogers Centre, where the Toronto Blue Jays host the Athletics. Perera, 24, is looking forward to returning to her roots, playing the game in the street. She and her brother started playing cricket in their basement before taking the game outside. She began at age six, dwarfed in her older brother's equipment. It didn't help that he was a left-hander and she's a rightie. 'But I'd still make it work,' she said. 'It was such a humble moment when I got my own kit when I was 10.' She soon fell in love with the game. 'I like how patient you were, how you had to be strategic during the game. And it taught me a lot about life and patience, for sure,' said Perera, whose father played first-class cricket in Sri Lanka. Perera would go to her brother's games, hoping someone might not show up so she would be allowed to fill in. When she was 12, while playing a game with boys, she was scouted by George Codrington, a former Canadian international who was the national women's coach at the time. She was invited to train with the senior women's side and was an alternate in 2012 when the women went to Ireland to play a World Twenty20 tournament qualifier. Perera made her senior debut against the U.S. in May 2019 when she was 19. It could have come earlier, but the Canadian women's team essentially was on hiatus from 2012 to 2018 after losing international status. Perera kept playing at home with boys and made her national team debut when the program returned to action. An accomplished opening batsman, the Canada vice-captain has transitioned from a medium-pace bowler to an off-spinner. Perera played a variety of sports, including basketball, badminton and volleyball, while attending Bill Crothers Secondary School in Markham, Ont. She also did track and field, excelling in the javelin. 'I found it quite easy because you're throwing a lot in cricket,' she said, noting that a 600-gram javelin (the minimum weight for women's competition) seems light in comparison. Growing up, Perera spent time playing cricket in England, Sri Lanka, the U.S. and the West Indies. Perera and Canada finished runner-up to the U.S. in Buenos Aires in March at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier, missing out on the chance to advance to the final stage of T20 World Cup qualifying. The U.S. defeated Canada by 78 runs to win the four-team Americas tournament with Perera the only Canadian to reach double figures with the bat, with 19 runs off 28 balls. Both teams were 4-1-0 going into the deciding match with the U.S. atop the standings by virtue of a superior run rate. Canada had defeated the Americans by nine runs in their first game at the qualifier. Perera saw positives despite not moving on. 'You learn something with every tour,' Perera said. 'How you can improve as a unit … Being sad about it for the next two years is not the goal. The goal is to actually get better.' Unlike the Canadian men, the women's team is not under contract to Cricket Canada. Perera said the women sometimes get paid at a tournament, but usually not. 'We do love playing the game but we have other jobs too,' said Perera, who works as a timekeeper for Greater Toronto Hockey League and other leagues. 'We would love a contract but we don't mind it because our passion comes first.' Outside the cricket pitch, Perera was featured in an Estee Lauder ad in 2021. With cricket coming to the Olympics in 2028, the T20 version of the sport will get a huge platform in Los Angeles. But Canada will be watching from the sidelines with only six men's and six women's teams taking part. 'We're a little bit far off, to be completely honest with you,' said Perera. 'But regardless, seeing cricket being introduced in the Olympics honestly makes me feel so humble. I'm glad and I'm more than happy to watch their countries. 'And if we do have that chance (in the future), I know the girls are actually ready to take that step forward.' Canada is currently ranked 31st by the International Cricket Council (ICC) among women's Twenty20 International (T20I) countries with the U.S. No. 24. Cricket to Conquer Cancer and Cricket Day at the Park are sponsored by TD. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada international Achini Perera takes to the street for Cricket to Conquer Cancer
TORONTO – Achini Perera gets to tick a few boxes Saturday, playing cricket and helping raise money for a good cause. The Canadian international cricketer is taking part in the inaugural Cricket to Conquer Cancer, a street cricket fundraiser for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. More than 40 teams will be participating at Celebration Square in suburban Mississauga, Ont., with celebrities including singer Jully Black, former soccer star Dwayne De Rosario and former Raptor Jamaal Magloire and West Indies cricketer Carlos Brathwaite. Like many taking part, Brathwaite has a personal connection to the cause. His mother is a cancer survivor. Saturday is also Cricket Day at the Park at the Rogers Centre, where the Toronto Blue Jays host the Athletics. Perera, 24, is looking forward to returning to her roots, playing the game in the street. She and her brother started playing cricket in their basement before taking the game outside. She began at age six, dwarfed in her older brother's equipment. It didn't help that he was a left-hander and she's a rightie. 'But I'd still make it work,' she said. 'It was such a humble moment when I got my own kit when I was 10.' She soon fell in love with the game. 'I like how patient you were, how you had to be strategic during the game. And it taught me a lot about life and patience, for sure,' said Perera, whose father played first-class cricket in Sri Lanka. Perera would go to her brother's games, hoping someone might not show up so she would be allowed to fill in. When she was 12, while playing a game with boys, she was scouted by George Codrington, a former Canadian international who was the national women's coach at the time. She was invited to train with the senior women's side and was an alternate in 2012 when the women went to Ireland to play a World Twenty20 tournament qualifier. Perera made her senior debut against the U.S. in May 2019 when she was 19. It could have come earlier, but the Canadian women's team essentially was on hiatus from 2012 to 2018 after losing international status. Perera kept playing at home with boys and made her national team debut when the program returned to action. An accomplished opening batsman, the Canada vice-captain has transitioned from a medium-pace bowler to an off-spinner. Perera played a variety of sports, including basketball, badminton and volleyball, while attending Bill Crothers Secondary School in Markham, Ont. She also did track and field, excelling in the javelin. 'I found it quite easy because you're throwing a lot in cricket,' she said, noting that a 600-gram javelin (the minimum weight for women's competition) seems light in comparison. Growing up, Perera spent time playing cricket in England, Sri Lanka, the U.S. and the West Indies. Perera and Canada finished runner-up to the U.S. in Buenos Aires in March at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier, missing out on the chance to advance to the final stage of T20 World Cup qualifying. The U.S. defeated Canada by 78 runs to win the four-team Americas tournament with Perera the only Canadian to reach double figures with the bat, with 19 runs off 28 balls. Both teams were 4-1-0 going into the deciding match with the U.S. atop the standings by virtue of a superior run rate. Canada had defeated the Americans by nine runs in their first game at the qualifier. Perera saw positives despite not moving on. 'You learn something with every tour,' Perera said. 'How you can improve as a unit … Being sad about it for the next two years is not the goal. The goal is to actually get better.' Unlike the Canadian men, the women's team is not under contract to Cricket Canada. Perera said the women sometimes get paid at a tournament, but usually not. 'We do love playing the game but we have other jobs too,' said Perera, who works as a timekeeper for Greater Toronto Hockey League and other leagues. 'We would love a contract but we don't mind it because our passion comes first.' Outside the cricket pitch, Perera was featured in an Estee Lauder ad in 2021. With cricket coming to the Olympics in 2028, the T20 version of the sport will get a huge platform in Los Angeles. But Canada will be watching from the sidelines with only six men's and six women's teams taking part. 'We're a little bit far off, to be completely honest with you,' said Perera. 'But regardless, seeing cricket being introduced in the Olympics honestly makes me feel so humble. I'm glad and I'm more than happy to watch their countries. 'And if we do have that chance (in the future), I know the girls are actually ready to take that step forward.' Canada is currently ranked 31st by the International Cricket Council (ICC) among women's Twenty20 International (T20I) countries with the U.S. No. 24. Cricket to Conquer Cancer and Cricket Day at the Park are sponsored by TD. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rangers make surprise find after pulling crocodile from popular fishing spot
Wildlife rangers in North Queensland were inundated with multiple reports from 'concerned' members of the public that a crocodile was basking in a popular Australian fishing spot. Queensland's department of environment responded by sending out rangers with a trap, but what they discovered was surprising. After placing the device close to Aplins Weir on the Ross River in Townsville, they quickly caught a 2.8-metre-long crocodile. It was only as they were removing the animal from the water that the penny dropped — rangers weren't just dealing with one animal, but two. The second one wasn't as big, but it was still a solid two metres in length. 'We have reinstalled the trap to target the second crocodile for removal,' Ranger Dinouk Perera said. 'The department would like to thank those community members who reported the crocodile. 'Crocodile sighting reports give us important information about a crocodile's location and behaviour that allows us to assess whether it needs to be removed from the wild." Heavily-dented 4WD seized from quiet Aussie street following police investigation Surprise discovery after 'massive' tree falls in front of suburban Aussie home 'Magical' reason quiet Aussie cafe is hoping for a surge in tourists Although the saltwater crocodile was sighted in its natural habitat, Queensland has a policy of removing the species from areas where conflict with humans is likely to occur. The captured crocodile is now being kept in a holding pond and the state environment department confirmed it will be rehomed to a farm or zoo. 'Crocodiles could be present in any waterway in areas of crocodile habitat. They can swim long distances and may turn up in places they haven't been seen before, particularly after flooding,' Perera said. 'That's why it is important to report all crocodile sightings to the department as soon as possible, for investigation by wildlife rangers.' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Arab News
29-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Sri Lanka looks to attract Saudi travelers to diversify tourist influx
COLOMBO: Saudi Arabia is one of Sri Lanka's priority markets for tourism, authorities have told Arab News, as the island nation seeks to attract more visitors from the Kingdom to diversify its tourist base. Tourism has been on the mend in Sri Lanka as the island nation recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its worst economic crisis in decades. In 2024, the sector that is traditionally one of key sources of foreign reserves welcomed more than 2 million tourists and earned about $3 billion. To further boost its hospitality sector, Sri Lankan officials are planning to lessen its reliance on conventional tourist markets and target new visitors, especially those from Saudi Arabia. 'Recognizing the immense potential of the Saudi market, Sri Lanka has positioned Saudi Arabia as a key priority in its tourism promotion efforts,' Madusha Perera, assistant director for marketing at the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, told Arab News recently. 'The country aims to tap into the growing outbound travel market in Saudi Arabia, which has shown an increasing interest in international destinations. By focusing on this market, Sri Lanka seeks to diversify its tourist base and reduce its dependency on traditional source markets.' In October, the Sri Lankan government began issuing free tourist visas to visitors from 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia. Last week, the SLTPB and Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh hosted a special roadshow in the Saudi capital and Dammam to showcase its tourism offerings and forge new partnerships with key players in the Kingdom's travel industry. To attract more Saudi tourists, Sri Lankan officials have prepared special packages that cater to the market. 'Sri Lanka offers a culturally rich experience that resonates with Saudi tourists,' Perera said. 'The country is enhancing its offerings by including halal-friendly services and Arabic-language resources. 'These initiatives are designed to provide a comfortable and familiar environment for visitors from Saudi Arabia.' These recent efforts built upon Sri Lanka's historical ties with Saudi Arabia, which has been rooted in people-to-people relations, said Sri Lanka Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad. The roadshows last week were held after a years-long hiatus, he added. 'The events were immensely productive and helped to forge business collaborations in the tourism industry,' he told Arab News. With its famous palm-fringed white beaches, seaside resorts offering water sports, and UNESCO cultural sites, Sri Lanka is a destination that fits well with the preferences of Saudi tourists. 'Sri Lanka offers a wide array of facilities from luxury family getaways and wellness retreats to wildlife safaris, cultural experiences, natural beauty, family-friendly activities and halal-friendly travel which are mostly preferred by Saudi tourists,' Ajwad said. 'We shall continue to organize roadshows in all major cities of Saudi Arabia to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia's outbound travel partners and other tourism promotional activities,' said Ajwad. The aim is to position the island nation as a 'premier, year-round destination for (the) Saudi family, luxury, and experiential tourism.'
Indianapolis Star
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Top central Indiana chefs and elite IndyCar drivers collide in these Rev dishes
Rev, the IU Health Foundation's annual fundraiser at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will feature 90 chefs serving dishes inspired by Indy 500 drivers Some driver-chef pairings are based on a shared cultural background, but many chefs have to step out of their comfort zone for Rev. As the racing world hurtles toward the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will kick off the month of May in a manner befitting the biggest day in motorsport — by throwing a massive party. On Saturday night the Speedway will come alive for Rev, the IU Health Foundation 's marquee fundraising event since 2014. Tickets to Rev famously go fast; this year's $300 "premiere" and $600 "VIP elite" tickets were snapped up in a matter of hours when they became available in December. While the event has become synonymous with live music, local celebrity appearances and checkerboard chic fashion, it is just as well-known for its food, with chefs from across Central Indiana stationed throughout the Pagoda Plaza and Pit Lane. This year Rev features 90 chefs, by far the largest roster in the event's history. Every chef in attendance is matched with a prospective Indy 500 driver and tasked with preparing a dish to represent that racer, based on a brief bio Rev provides. Chefs and drivers can be paired for a variety of reasons, some more obvious than others, such as shared country of origin or a racer's personal enjoyment of a chef's fare. "We try to take everything into consideration," Rev Executive Director Carol Howard said. Howard, who helped launch Rev in 2014, said some duos arise based purely on the driver's personal preference. American driver Graham Rahal of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has long been paired with Greentown-based Blondie's Cookies simply because he loves the brand's myriad sweets, Howard said. Similarly, New Zealand IndyCar veteran Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing counts Fletcher Place fine dining spot Bluebeard among his favorite restaurants. When possible, Howard said, she and her colleagues try to match chefs and drivers with shared backgrounds. "For me, the diversity and uniqueness of food and the places we select are very important," she said. Motorsport, like restaurants, features personalities from across the globe. That presents Rev with several distinct pairings, although finding chefs and drivers from the same country can be a challenge. One opportunity for culinary overlap, albeit from nations thousands of miles apart, was pairing Mexican driver Pato O'Ward of Arrow McLaren with Che Chori owner Marcos Perera, who grew up in Argentina and has sampled a global smörgåsbord in his travels. Perera's O'Ward-inspired Rev dish is a chorizo slider that pays homage to the cuisines of Mexico and Argentina, which the restaurateur noted are distinct yet share many techniques and flavors. "The same Spaniards that went to Mexico and brought the chorizo, they brought it to Argentina," Perera said. "But in every location there were different seasonings. I think the root is similar, but in every place people have given their variations." Perera leant into those areas of intersection while incorporating elements of broader Latin culinary tradition into his Rev offering, topping a patty of Che Chori's scratch-made sausage with a house chimichurri and a relish of onions and peppers in vinegar called sarza criolla. Rev forces many chefs out of their comfort zones Many of the flavors in Perera's dish are ones he's known most of his life. Other chefs, meanwhile, rely less on their cultural background and more on professional experience, with a little Googling for good measure. Such was the case for Conrad Hotel executive chef Mike Pleines, who was tapped to represent Arrow McLaren driver Christian Lungaard, a native of Denmark. Pleines said he had never made Danish food before receiving his Rev assignment. "It's kind of neat to be given a concept and try to come up with something interesting," Pleines said. "As a chef, I feel that's what we kind of do. We look at pictures or go to restaurants or look at menus and we see things that we like and we say, 'How can I make this mine?'" For Pleines, the answer was a Midwest-Danish fusion of fried pork belly and macaroni and cheese available through May at the Conrad Lounge under the name "hygge mac." Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word that denotes coziness and contentment, not unlike the feeling one gets from consuming a substantial volume of creamy macaroni and cheese. The pork belly in Pleines' dish is inspired by Danish stegt flæsk, a meal of fried pork belly, potatoes and parsley sauce. Pleines said for Rev he may add sweet and sour braised red cabbage in a nod to a similar Danish food called rødkål. As for the macaroni and cheese, Pleines said that suggestion came from the Conrad's marketing team. What better way to represent Arrow McLaren — emphasis on the "Mc," or more traditionally, mac — than with one of America's favorite comfort foods? "You know, I may not be the best chef in the world, but I'm pretty sure I can do a pretty good pork belly and mac and cheese," Pleines said. Earlier this month Pleines had the opportunity to prepare the hygge mac with Lundgaard for a bit of Rev promotional content, a rarity among chef-driver pairings. On the track and in the kitchen, things don't always go according to plan Given IndyCar's jam-packed schedule, though, not to mention the everyday grind of the restaurant industry, some chefs never meet their assigned drivers. Even this year, when multiple racing teams coordinated meet-and-greets for their drivers and chefs during the Indy 500 Open Testing week, a WiFi issue caused a nearly 3-hour delay that wiped out at least two teams' meet-and-greets. That leaves chefs like Erin Oechsle, a culinary instructor at the Area 31 Career Center with previous stops at multiple Indy-area restaurants, to research their driver's native cuisine and take their best shot. This weekend Oechsle will prepare a take on raggmunk, a potato pancake popular in Meyer Shank driver Felix Rosenqvist's home of Sweden. Area 31's raggmunk will feature a shallow-fried disc of herby grated potatoes with Swedish lingonberry jam and bacon, likely in the form of rendered pork lardons or cooked into a compote with caramelized onions. Oechsle estimates she and and the Area 31 students serving as her precocious sous chefs will griddle about 1,800 pancakes to order at Rev, making the selection of ingredients crucial. "You want to make sure whatever you choose is going to be delicious in the state that people eat it," she said. "Is an egg roll still going to be crunchy after six hours of being hot? No, it's going to be dried out or like a soggy hot mess of nastiness." Nailing their dishes isn't just about pride or setting a high standard of quality for the cooks at Rev; it's also an economic consideration. Each chef at Rev is there voluntarily, meaning they must pay for their own food and labor force. Howard guessed the event costs each culinary team $5,000 to $8,000 depending on the ingredients used and the size of the staff. Still, chefs who vie for a Rev invitation and those who return from year to year do so for a reason. In Area 31's case, the chance for culinary students to gain catering-like experience, meet experienced chefs and sample food from restaurants they otherwise might not visit is worth the investment. For Pleines, a Massachusetts native who spent years working on the West Coast and only came to Indianapolis in September, Rev is an opportunity to connect to his new home and its signature sporting event. "I like to support the local culture and experience what is great about an area," he said. "I think here in the Midwest, I'd be really remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to experience this amazing thing that's been going on for 110 years."
