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Sunday, 14 March 2010

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School cricket - the platform to pick players for the future - Saman Amerasinghe

by Leslie FERNANDO

OBSERVER-MOBITEL: I am indeed honoured, privileged and pleased to be very much a part and parcel of the OBSERVER-MOBITEL Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year competition which has now reached the 32nd year. I wish to congratulate ANCL-Sunday Observer for promoting this event which is a much looked forward event by the sporting public of Sri Lanka. “For the young schoolboy cricketers in particular, it is an event that all keep waiting for each year.” said Saman Amerasinghe, President, Association of Cricket Umpires (ACU) and Director, HRD Centre for Youth.

Amerasinghe said that the ACU considered the performances of the schoolboy cricketers for the season 2009/2010 under the following criteria representation at international level and performances, representation at national level tournaments of Sri Lanka Cricket and performance and representation at first eleven tournaments of Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association and performances.

Amerasinghe who is the Chairman, Selection Committee of Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year competition, said that looking back at the years gone by, he remembers that in 1990 he reluctantly took over the mantle of Tournament Secretary of the Schools first eleven cricket tournament, mainly because he wanted to keep a close tab of Sri Lanka Cricket because it was the platform to watch out for the players. We have already taken very positive steps to promote this gentlemen’s game to very nook and corner of the island.

The history of this noble game goes back to the year 1700. Cricket is a game that owes much of its appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within the laws but also within the spirit of the game.

The spirit of the game involves first to respect one’s opponents, captain, the role of the umpires and the traditional values the game involves itself.

Amerasinghe advised one and all that there is no place for indiscipline on the field of play.

The captain and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match and each and every player is expected for an important contribution to uphold this noble values in the game. We have in mind to propose an award: ‘The Most Outstanding Disciplined Team of the Year’ at the next award ceremony, said Amerasinghe who is also the Chairman, National Sports Council and Chairman, National Youth Award Authority, Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.

Amerasinghe said that he wishes to thank Sunday Observer and Mobitel for the tremendous enthusiasm and effort made to make this memorable mega event a overwhelming success.

In conclusion, Amerasinghe said he wished to bring to the notice of all cricketers an extract from an ode on the spirit of the game by Sir Henry Newbolt. “There is breathless hush at the close tonight. Ten to make and a match to win.

A bumping pitch and a blinding light. An hour to play and the last man in. And it’s not for the sake of a ribbon’s coat, or the selfish hope of a season’s fame. But his captain’s hand on his shoulders smoke. “Play up! Play up! and Play the game!

Observer-Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2010

All-Island - Coupon No. 9

1. S. Edirisuriya (Royal) 34,271

2. Sachithra Perera (Ananda) 33,903

3. Chathura Peiris (St.Peter's College) 33,299

4. Nipun Karunanayake (Nalanda) 32,909

5. Kithruwan Vithanage (Royal) 32,012

6. Rasika Gamage (Dharmapala College) 27,244

7. H. Wickremasuriya (SACK) 18,423

8. Waruna Fernando (SBC) 13,274

9. Deshan Dians (St. Sebs.) 7,402

10. Udara Munasinghe (Thurstan College) 6,589