Junior cricketers from Weeraketiya and Tangalle picked for further training

By Lal Gunasekera

CRICKET: Forty under privileged young cricketers from Weeraketiya and Tangalle in the Hambantota district were picked by the Tony Opatha International Cricket Academy for further training for a period of five years.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Director of the Academy, Tony Opatha, told the Sunday Observer that they organised this coaching clinic to coincide with President Mahinda Rakapaksa's one-year in office and also his 61st birthday. There were 450 youngsters on the first day at Weeraketiya and 250 on the second day at Tangalle.

"There are 20 in both groups (under-13 and under-15) that were picked by a panel of coaches headed by Lanthra Fernando and also Sujith Paranavithana, Lakshman Ranasinghe, Manjula Rajakaruna, Trishen Nonis, Tuan Rahaman, Roy Bishop under my supervision.

The training will be conducted on weekends in Tangalle, Weeraketiya and Hambantota and we plan to visit the Hambantota district again in the near future to pick 40 more talented youngsters" said Opatha.

Under - 13

Batsmen - M. K. Sandeep, W. K. Charith, Nadeera Madushanka (all from Weeraketiya Central), Niranjan Dassanayake, W. D. Madawa, Suranka Deshapriya (from Rajapakse MV), Fast bowlers: W. A. Hirantha Lakshan, K. A. Dasun Aravinda, L. B. Sanka Jayamaha (from Hudumuldeniya MV), Thanuka Asanga, D. S. Danuka, W. K. Randika Dilshan (from Tangalle National Boy's School), Spinners: Mahesh Chathuranga (Kotawaya MV), Nuwan Udayakumara (Middeniya Navoda Pasela), H. M. Dasun Madushan (Middeniya MV), D. M. B. Tushan Sameera (Beliatta MV), W. A. Emilka, Sadaru Suranjaya (Rajapakse MV), Wicket-Keepers: Mohamed Aflar (Tangalle Boy's School) and P. A. Ruwan Kumara (Abeysekeragama MV)

Under-15

Batsmen - Isuru Anurudha (Dhammananda MV), Lahiru Dilshan (Middeniya MV), Praneeth Siriwardene (Abeysekeragama MV), G. B. Isuru Malsha (Tangalle MV), Chanaka Gayan (Gemunu MV), R. P. Samidu Rangana (Kadulupokuna Vidyalaya), Fast bowlers: K. P. Pasidu, A. N. P. Ratnayake (Tangalle MV), L. G. Chamal Priyanath (Mahanaga National School), M. Kumarasiri (Medapangoda MV), G. A. Madusanka, Thilina Madushan (Rajapakse Central College), Spinners: Dinesh Lakmal (Radaliyagama MV), Nuwan Udayanga Kumara (Megasara Navoda Pasela), H. G. Chathuranga (Middeniya National School), K. A. Nadeera (Rajapakse Central College), L. A. Sajith Priyankara (Bowela Central), W. A. Chanka Dinusha (Abeysekeragama MV), Wicket-Keepers: Mohamed Aflar (Tangalle Boy's School) and P. A. Ruwan Kumara (Abeysekeragama MV).