33rd School Cricket Awards tomorrow

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

OBSERVER-MOBITEL AWARDS: Winners may come and winners may go but the show will go on. The 33rd episode of the Sunday Observer/Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2011 will be staged at the Hotel Galadari Grand Ballroom in grand style tomorrow from 5.30 pm onwards.

Since the first show was held in 1979 which former Sri Lanka skipper and now the respected Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle won, it has been a steady stream of the cream of school cricketers emerging from all corners of the country.

From Madugalle (1979) to Dinesh Chandimal (2009) and Bhanuka Rajapakse who won the 2010 contest it has been a steady influx of young talent being recognised at the highest level and this contest has been synonymous with school cricket.

There are award ceremonies for young cricketers at all levels like Under 13, Under 15, Under 17 where the country’s cricket is based on these young talent. This is a tremendous encouragement for the younger players. But when it comes to the senior level, they always look forward for bigger opportunities. That’s where the Sunday Observer/Mobitel contest comes into play. Most of these players continue their cricket and their final aim after playing for the school first eleven, is to play for Sri Lanka. Many of these youngsters display early talent under the guidance of their respective school cricket coaches or masters-in-charge at times, even with their parents, with limited facilities. The encouragement and the support given by them should also be commended.

This competition is held in two categories, All Island and Outstation and irrespective what the category is, many players have blossomed to attain Test status. From the inception of the contest sponsors have played an important role in the success of the contest. From Warner-Hudnut to the present sponsors Mobitel the cricketers are benefited immensely. The recognition not only gives the player a lot of courage for his cricketing future, but also provides opportunities to seek employment once out of school.

Although the focus at times has been more on the All Island category, the winners of the Outstation Contest too have reached great heights and contributed immensely towards the country’s cricket.

Take for instance Sanath Jayasuriya who shook the cricket world with his dynamic batting was from St. Servatius’ College, Matara and the present Test opener Tharanga Paranavithana is from St. Mary’s College, Kegalle. Both were winners in the Outstation Contest.

The latest additions to the Test squad - right-arm leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna and Shaminda Eranda, although have no connection with the contest are old boys of Revatha College, Balapitiya and St. Mary’s College, Chilaw. So, the rural schools have also played an important role in developing cricket.

Besides the players, some schools in the rural areas have also come into the limelight. Katuneriya St. Sebastian’s College, Pannala National School, Karandeniya Central and Revatha MV, Balapitiya to name a few. The recipients of the awards are determined by an efficient panel of umpires strictly on merit. Their performances during the season has been monitored by the school cricket authorities and short listed and the winner is finally announced in each category of the contest.

A player’s performance against international teams too, is taken into consideration. With the panel of umpires there are also some SLSCA officials present.