Henegama Central has made vast progress in cricket

by Anushka WITHANAGE

A school which has made remarkable progress in cricket is Henegama Central College. "If we recall the improvements in our cricket team over the past few years, there have been some remarkable achievements", captain of the under 19 team Udeni Priyashan said.

Henegama won the Astra Cup trophy in 2004 (division four). They qualified for semi finals of the Central School cricket tournament in 2007. Also, Henegama were the runners-up in the six-a-side cricket tournament organised by Bandaranayake College, Gampaha. Henegama Central College went on two tours to India and they won three matches out of five during the Indian tour which they undertook in 2005 and 2008. Cricket started at Henegama Central College in 1959. Since then the school has been playing in division III but cricket really begins at Henegama Central from the level of under 13. Twenty six years ago, Henegama Central College played its big match against Bandaranayake College, Gampaha. Now they are going to revive the big match this year. It's good news for both schools.

The coach of the team is Rohan Pushpasiri, who is an old boy of the Henegama Central College. He is a qualified Division One umpire and Gampaha District Umpires Association Assistant Secretary.

According to Pushpasiri the team performed creditably and gained much experience.

The Principal of Henegama Central College, Wijaya Kularatne said that he would give his maximum support to improve the standards of the school team. But there are many difficulties to raise funds to fulfil the requirements of the players. They have gone through a tough time due to lack of facilities and equipment. Considering these difficulties, Gampaha District Cricket Association had donated centre wickets, matting and rollers. But still they require some bats, gloves, pads and other materials, he added.

The Under-13 team is scheduled to play in the upcoming Lakbima "Little Thirty" cricket tournament.

Meanwhile the Under-19 team is scheduled to play Chandrajothi College Yakkala, Bandaranayake College Gampaha, Kirindiwela Central College, St. Anthony's College Wattala, Senarath Paranawithana College, Udugampola, Galahitiyawa Central College, Vidayaloka College, Veyangoda and Ibbagamuwa, Central College later this year. Teamwork is the key to the success of Henegama Central College first XI cricket team, the team coach Pushpasiri said. Henegama Central's first match was against Bandaranayake College at the Bandaranayake College ground. The match was drawn due to bad light.