COLOMBO: A local drinking water supplier strongly defended its product Tuesday even as World Twenty20 organizers jettisoned their bottled water after several players went down with stomach flu.
LAUGFS Aqua System said they had asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) for samples of suspect bottles of water, but got no immediate response except a statement that their product was off the table.
“We have done our own tests and confirmed that there is nothing wrong with our water,” LAUGFS general manager Chaminda Wijesinghe told AFP. “We asked the ICC to give us water samples but we have got no response yet.” He said players and officials may also have consumed bottles from other suppliers rather than LAUGFS mineral water while staying at Sri Lankan hotels.
“We don’t know what caused the problem but I can tell you it is not our water,” Wijesinghe said. “I am drinking it all the time.” Several players from New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa and Australia have reportedly been treated for stomach bugs since their arrival in Sri Lanka, with Kiwi Tim Southee even requiring hospital treatment for dehydration.
An ICC spokesman said on Monday that the brand of bottled water used by players and officials had been replaced. Players were supplied with a locally-produced American branded mineral water during training Tuesday.
Since Thursday, there had been no reports of any player coming down with stomach flu.
“Although there is no evidence to suggest that water was the cause of any illness, the product supplied for use in the tournament has been replaced,” the spokesman said.
A Sri Lankan source connected with the tournament said public health inspectors had checked the food given to the players and found nothing untoward.
“If an entire team, or at least a majority, go down, we can understand that there is something wrong with the food and beverages department,” the source told AFP. “Just a few players have been affected.” No official complaints had been lodged by any of the teams, he added.
Among players who went down with gastro trouble over the past two weeks were New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori, Mitchell Starc and Brad Hogg of Australia, and Paul Stirling and George Dockrell of Ireland.
The 12-nation tournament, Sri Lanka’s biggest sporting event, opened on September 18 and runs until October 7.
Sri Lanka water firm boils over stomach bug
Sri Lanka water firm boils over stomach bug
Australian Open champ Rybakina hoping to finally celebrate this week at home tournament in Dubai
- World No. 3 has barely had a chance to relax after winning in Melbourne, being bedridden during a short stopover in Dubai and then going straight back on court in Doha
DUBAI: Elena Rybakina is hoping to have a proper celebration of her Australian Open win at this week’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Such is the demanding schedule of modern-day tennis, the Kazakh star is hoping that at her adopted home tournament in the city, in which she has lived since 2024, provides the chance to properly celebrate.
The 26-year-old is balancing the demands of being the top seed at this week’s WTA 1000 tournament with all the off-court demands that come after weeks away — things to do, people to see, favorite places to go.
“Honestly, it’s really not enough time,” said Rybakina, who stopped in Dubai on route from Australia to Qatar, where she lost in the quarterfinals.
“When I got back home, I also got a little cold, so I was not celebrating. I was literally in bed for couple of days. Then we had to go to Doha. It’s quite a busy schedule.
“Of course, you can pick and choose at some point, but it’s a pity to miss a tournament if you’re at home, that’s for sure. It’s been everything pretty quick, so hopefully I will get some rest later and celebrate bigger.”
Fresh from Qatar, Rybakina is yet to explore the newly expanded Dubai stadium, which includes a new 2,000-seat court one and larger tennis village.
“I didn’t even see the new court yet because today was my first practice after Doha, but it’s nice to stay home. You have your spots, you have some things to do, so it always nice.”
Saturday’s draw has not helped Rybakina’s cause for a quieter or easier week. Her route to the final could see her face No. 7 seed Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals and world No. 5 Coco Gauff in the semis. The field features 16 of the top 20 and 35 of the top 40.
Also competing is world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini, one of eight players who secured a first-round bye. The 2024 Wimbledon finalist won here two years ago and returns with a new priority.
“The goal has to be enjoying being on the court, to focus on the work (and) not on the result,” she said.
The Italian lost in the first round in Doha last week to Maria Sakkari, so is happy for a change of scenery, especially given her fond memories of playing in Dubai.
Paolini won the Dubai championships in 2024 to claim her first WTA 1000 title. “I think it is a positive thing to change the place and come back here in Dubai,” said the 30-year-old.
“To me, it’s an amazing place to play tennis, so it’s nice to be back here in Dubai. I think 2024 was a surprise, I remember before winning the tournament, I was like ‘I cannot play well here,’ yet in that year something changed. I don’t know why.”
Paolini is optimistic that the upcoming days can lead to a successful season. “I like these conditions,” she added. “Hopefully it gives me energy for this tournament, but also for the rest of the season.”
Meanwhile Gauff, who has been selected as the face of Mercedes-Benz’s new long-term deal with the WTA Tour, spoke of her pride at seeing major brands aligning with the sport to help grow the women’s game.
For the first time, the nets at the stadium will carry the famous three-pointed star. “I’m happy they decided to support women’s tennis and allow me (to) be the face of that new transition for them,” said Gauff.
“It’s great for the tour, great for women’s sports. It definitely shows we have market value. These big, prestigious brands want to get involved. Rolex has also been part of tennis for a long time.
“I’m very happy to be representing Mercedes. I’m happy, and it’s cool to see the little symbol on the net. I’m like, OK, we’re moving on up.”
