Jaffna Schools to take active part in cricket

By A. C. de Silva

CRICKET: Schools cricket is to be broadbased and with that in mind the set-up will see many schools in the outstation towns too coming in to the scene so that more and better cricketers will emerge for the benefit of the country.

The President of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association and Principal of D. S. Senanayake College - Asoka Senani Hewage said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with his Project Co-Ordinator D. Somachandra de Silva had joined hands with the School Development Programme and they are working out a scheme so that they can spread the good word of reaching out for schools in the interior and devise ways and means of taking cricket deep into the country.

“There are 16 schools in the Jaffna District with around 32 teams then there are 22 schools that have registered for u. 15 teams. So, there will be many new teams that will be involved in junior cricket and from the junior level the boys will move up with the passing of time.” said Asoka Hewage - the President of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association. He look over the role as the head of the schools Body this year and earlier he was the Vice-President for 15 years.

When the details and problems regarding the conducting of a islandwide tournament have been sorted out there should be some interesting clashed too and with the passing of time, the game will produce cricketers of tomorrow.

The Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association also have ear-marked prospective national-level cricketers from 52 schools in the island and these cricketers have been picked not only from the better known schools in the island, but also from schools in the interior too.

There are promising cricketers in schools in Kalutara and in other areas as well and we will do our utmost to keep those cricketers in the game with the future in mind.” said Asoka Hewage.

The Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association in also keen in spreading cricket to the length and breath of this country. The Association from August this year will select two schools from each district and construct side wickets and centre wickets for the needy schools so that the game of cricket can be taken forward.

“Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association and the School Development Program will pump in the money for the expenses involved and President’s Project Co-ordinator for the improvement of cricket— D. S. de Silva has gone to England to study the feasibility of the above project and make it a reality.” added Asoka Hewage.

According to the School Cricket Association boss Asoka Hewage, his association will conduct two day tourney for under 19 teams and separate one day 50 overs games too.

Right now, there are around 450 schools that are involved in school cricket in the island in many parts of the island in the under 19 age group and these matches have been eagerly contested.