CEO Suren Amarasekera says ...

MOBITEL’s obligation to strengthen grassroots level of cricket

by Leslie FERNANDO

OBSERVER-MOBITEL: It is with much pleasure that Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel join hands once again with the ANCL - Sunday Observer in sponsoring the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Competition on 2010. This is the oldest and most respected sports competition of the country said Suren Amarasekera, Chief Executive Officer Mobitel.

As the official sponsor of Sri Lanka Cricket, “we feel that our obligation is not just taking the standard of the sport to the international arena, but also about strengthening the grassroots level of the sport, hance the recognition of talent through Schoolboy Cricketer Competition is vital for providing the future of Sri Lanka cricket,” added Amarasekera.

A great promoter of Sports and a former Royalist, Suren Amarasekera said that Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Competition started in 1978 continues for the 32nd occasion in 2010, paving the way for winners to ascend to the status of national level players. The sporting extravaganza is organised by Sunday Observer and has been able to contribute its might at a national level and to continuously evaluate schoolboy cricketers performances and reveal their cricketing prowers to the world. Amarasekera said that it was indeed a great pleasure for MOBITEL to partner ANCL - Sunday Observer to support the prestigious competition which recognise the talents of the young cricketers of the country. The partnership between MOBITEL and ANCL - Sunday Observer is taking cricket to the schools in underdeveloped areas and making the game popular is helping the boys to improve their game.Ultimately Sri Lanka will gain from process and there will be quality cricketers emerging. Amarasekera said their aim is to care, share and deliver. Mobitel has taken the lead and schoolboys will greatly benefit.

Amarasekera said that they are more excited this year than ever before, with the competition being open for schools in North and East and International Schools too.

Now that the ‘war’ is over and school cricket is in full swing and the cricketers from Jaffna, too will come into recognition in the outstation sector.

Cash award winners

Observer-Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy
Cricketer of the Year 2010

All-Island Coupon No. 7

1. Sachithra Perera	(Ananda)			21,305
2. S. Edirisuriya	(Royal)				20,987
3. Nipun Karunanayake	(Nalanda)			20,861
4. Chathura Peiris	(St.Peter’s College)		19,992
5. Rasika Gamage	(Dharmapala College)		16,948
6. H. Wickremasuriya	(SACK)				14,271
7. Waruna Fernando	(SBC)				10,737
8. Kithruwan Vithanage	(Royal)				 6,073
9. Deshan Dians	(St. Sebs.)	  			 5,899	
10. Udara Munasinghe	(Thurstan College)		 4,371

Observer-Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy
Cricketer of the Year 2010

Outstation Coupon No.7

1. M. Samarasekera	(Maris Stella College)		 14,047	
2. S.H.I. Kumara	(Devapathiraja V.)		 13,979
3. N. Rajaguru	(Nugawela Central)			 13,821
4. K. Wickremarachchi	(Gamini MMV, Bentota)		 12,347
5. H. Abeyratne	(Ibbagamuwa Central)			 11,099
6. T. Dilranga	(Bandaranayake C., Gampaha)		  8,057
7. S. Sankalpa	(Gurukula C., Kelaniya)	 		  4,011
8. A. Thilakaratne(Sri Rahula C.,Katugastota)	  	  3,821
9. A. Perera (Royal Panadura)			  	  3,029	
10. M. Ranasinghe  (St.John’s Nugegoda)	  	  	  2,851