Sports Minister Lokuge will distribute cricket material in Batticaloa

by S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr

CRICKET EQUIPMENT: Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge will make a historic tour of the Batticaloa district to distribute cricket equipment and cricket matting with the objective of promoting and developing cricket in the once war torn area at a ceremony to be held at Shivananda Vidyalaya, Batticaloa today (Sunday - August 2nd) at 2.30 p.m. Also attending this important function will be Parliamentarians of the district, Provincial Councillors, Pradeshiya Sabha members, Sports Officers, Principals of Schools and others. Sri Lanka Cricket will be represented by Manager Coaching of Sri Lanka Cricket Malcolm Perera and Uva Provincial Coach Chaminda Kodikara and the Provincial Coach of the Eastern Province.

This will, no doubt, be a historic tour and possibly the first time the Minister of Sports is visiting the district after life had returned to normalcy, giving way to King of Sports - Cricket. Minister and the officials are also likely to visit cricket venues to ascertain for themselves the conditions prevailing and make recommendations if necessary.

Cricket equipment and mattings have already been distributed to other cricket playing districts in the island from the beginning of this year with the Minister of Sports Gamini Lokuge participating at these functions with a view of encouraging the young cricketers with a word of advice to give opportunities to play for the cricketers in the area rather than bringing 'outsiders' to play.

Last week, Minister Gamini Lokuge distributed cricket equipment and mattings to sight schools in the Ampara district at a ceremony held at D. S. Senanayake College, in Ampara. This was a well attended function and the schools were delighted to receive cricket materials in such large quantities which will not only help to develop their nursery, but, also improve cricket at senior level.

The eight selected schools in the Batticaloa district which will include the pioneers St. Michael's College and Shivananda College who were once traditional rivals will be the beneficiaries of this programme.They will receive cricket bats, helmets, batting pads, wicket-keeping pads, batting gloves, wicket-keeping gloves, cricket balls and other protective gear and the value of these cricket materials will be Rs. 6 to 7 lakhs if purchased from the local shops. This is big money and will go a long way to help and promote cricket.