Kumar and Sanjeewa commend Observer-Mobitel for contests
by Leslie FERNANDO
OBSERVER - MOBITEL: Two famous cricketers-Kumar Dharmasena and
Sanjeeva Ranatunga who have won the coveted Observer Schoolboy Cricketer
of the Year Award in 1989 and 1988 respectively, said it was commendable
for Sunday Observer in continuing the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year
Contest for the 32nd year from 1978. This long spell will encourage the
budding schoolboy cricketers.
Kumar Dharmasena made his first appearance for Nalanda in the ‘Big
Match’ in 1986 has taken to big-time cricket umpiring. A member of the
1996 World Cup winning team he said it was good that Sunday Observer has
kept the contest going for over 30 years. Sponsors are vital for the
progress of sports in a country and Associated Newspapers of Ceylon
Limited has taken the lead and it helps the authorities to build up the
youth. Development of youth is very important as the youth are the ones
who will take the country forward.
The contest is a forerunner for the schoolboys to gain recognition
for the selection into the Sri Lanka team for Test matches, one - day
internationals and Twenty20s, that will naturally follow. He won the
Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Award in 1989 and figured prominently in
Sri Lanka’s World Cup win in 1996. He said that in the past most of the
winners of the top awards came from Colombo and its suburbs but now the
outstation schools have come in a big way and it was a good sign for the
game.
Dharmasena right-hand batsman and a right arm off-spinner, played for
NCC, Moratuwa SC and finally Bloomfield Cricket Club.
Dharmasena quit first-class cricket, being a loyal member of
Bloomfield for over a decade on 14th November 2006 and he took to
umpiring. “I like umpiring because it gives a chance to be very close to
the game which I love so dearly,” he said. Decision to become an umpire
was something that Dharmasena decided overnight. He was already a
qualified cricket coach, having got levels one and two in England. He is
now rated as the number one umpire here.
Sanjeeva Ranatunga, the star left-hand batsman who captained Ananda
was the sixth Anandian to win the prestigious Observer Schoolboy
Cricketer of the Year Award in 1988. Sanjeeva had the honour of leading
Sri Lanka ‘A’ team and he also represented the country in Tests and
One-Day Internationals.
Besides winning the main award, Ranatunga was also picked as the Best
Batsman and the Best Captain.
Brothers won main award
This is the first occasion that two brothers from one family won the
prestigious Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Award. Sanjeeva
Ranatunga elder brother Arjuna won the award in 1980 and 1982.
Sanjeeva Ranatunga said he was much pleased about the growth of
school cricket in the island. There are many outstation schools in the
game now and that shows the game has got a firm footing in the island.
He complimented the ANCL and Sunday Observer for keeping the show
going for all these years. The school cricketers who perform well during
the season are rewarded.
This contest is sure to identify the talent and the high
performances. The fact that these contests cater to very best is
reflected in the results - about 90 percent of Sri Lanka cricket team
has won awards in this contest.
Last year’s Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award
winner Dinesh Chandimal of Ananda College is also included in the Sri
Lanka squad for the ICC Twenty20. World Cup to be played in the West
Indies from April 30. He is the latest addition to the Sri Lanka team,
said Ranatunga.
Ranatunga said the sponsors also play a vital role and the young
cricketers should be grateful to them for offering rich rewards yearly.
He said Sri Lanka Telecom - Mobitel should be commended for coming
forward to sponsor this popular and prestigious contest. It was pleasing
to note two brothers captaining the Sri Lanka main cricket teams.
Sanjeeva captained Sri Lanka ‘A’ team in the unofficial Test match
against West Indies ‘A’ on 13th November 1996. On the same day, his
brother Arjuna was leading the Sri Lanka team at the Champions Trophy in
Sharjah.
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Observer-Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2010
All-Island - Coupon No. 13:
1. Kithuruwan Vithanage (Royal) 69,281
2. S. Edirisuriya (Royal) 68,993
3. Chathura Peiris (St.Peter’s College) 68,584
4. Nipun Karunanayake (Nalanda) 67,928
5. Sachithra Perera (Ananda) 55,147
6. S. H. I. Kumara (Mahanama College) 40,329
7. Rasika Gamage (Dharmapala College) 34,872
8. H. Wickremasuriya (SACK) 29,901
9. Waruna Fernando (SBC) 18,678
10. Deshan Dians (St.Sebs.) 11,203
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Observer-Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2010
Outstation - Coupon No.13:
1. Malinda Samarasekera (Maris Stella College) 53,874
2. N. Rajaguru (Nugawela Central) 53,801
3. K. Wickremarachchi (Gamini MV, Bentota) 53,709
4. N. Abeyratne (Ibbagamuwa Central) 34,842
5. T. Dilranga (Bandaranayake C. Gampaha) 30,472
6. S. Sankalpa (Gurukula C. Kelaniya) 19,909
7. A. Thilakaratne (Sri Rahula C. Katugastota) 14,227
8. A. Perera (Royal Panadura) 11,905
9. M. Ranasinghe (St.John’s Nugegoda) 8,406
10.Sapumal Pathirana (Kalutara Vidyalaya) 6,822
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