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| Sunday, 11 May 2003 |
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Great relationship between Royal and S. Thomas' ensures eventful 125th encounter by A. C. DE SILVA Warden of S. Thomas' College Mount Lavinia, Dr. David Ponniah, spoke a mouthful addressing the press the other day at Capri Club when he said that it was great to see that Royal and S. Thomas' have got together in a fine show of true relationship to see that events leading upto the 125th Royal-Thomian encounter next year will be gone through successfully. The match itself will be organised by the two schools, but there are several other eye-catching events that will be held before the match to make it a memorable event to remember. The match will be played on March 12, 13 and 14, but the venue has yet to be finalised as around that time an international cricket team, too is expected to visit Sri Lanka. There are three grounds - SSC, Saravanamuttu Stadium and Premadasa Stadium and a final decision will be made soon about the venue. Warden Ponniah and Principal of Royal - Mr. H. L. B. Gomes seemed to hit-it-off well with no disagreement whatsoever regarding matters in connection with the staging of the match and other events connected with the great game. S. Thomas' head Ponniah was the first to speak out with Mr. Gomes agreeing, when he said that "through sports we have been able to establish a close relationship between the two schools." There have been conflicts between schools recently, but 'none between Royal and S. Thomas' added warden Ponniah to which Royal Principal Mr. Gomes said: "We have had mutual understanding in all matters and it is great to work like that." There are many functions lined up. A joint walk on February 28th, a combined fair and exhibition from March 4 to 6 (both days inclusive), the venue of which will be decided soon. A sit-down dinner on March 7th, Old Boys limited-over cricket matches on March 7th, match between Royal College and S. Thomas' College tutorial staff, issue of a Commemorative Stamp, Souvenirs and Mementos, Package Tours for overseas Royalists and Thomians, a Motor Show and Raffle Draw. Religious functions are also to be held and the match will be preceded by a March Past of the past captains of the two schools. Then there will be "The history of Royal-S. Thomas' cricket match - 125 years" which is a collectors item and the printing of this souvenir is sponsored by Ceylinco and Seylan Bank whose Chairman Deshamanya Dr. Lalith Kotelawala who was a cricketer of sorts at Royal and his love for cricket has been seen in no uncertain manner with many cricketers being enlisted in the Ceylinco Group. The cricket match itself will be sponsored by Dialog who have been with the Royal-Thomian for the last three years. "We have got very attractive terms regarding the sponsorship," said Mr. N. Balasubramaniam, Co-Chairman of the Joint Central Committee. The joint committee welcomes more sponsors so that the festivities at the historic encounter will be really outstanding and will be remembered for a long, long time. Any sponsors who wish to come in should get in touch with the Royal-Thomian Fair joint committee secretaries. Mr. Balasubramaniam said that the Joint Central Committee of Royal College Union and S. Thomas' College Old Boys' Association are leaving no stone unturned and making every effort to conduct all the side events for the 'Big Match' on a successful note, so that the two schools will get the benefit of ample funds to "develop education and also improve on the infrastructure like buildings grounds etc." The press, Mr. Balasubramaniam said, usually refers to the Royal-Thomian as the battle of arch rivals, but there is no animosity between the two schools. "We have great friendly dealings in the Joint Central Committee and work is going at a pace to have a successful match," he added. All activities connected with the 125th Royal-Thomian cricket encounter is on website www.125royalthomian.com |
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