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| Sunday, 31 August 2003 |
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Telijjawila Central needs funds fast to keep cricket alive at school by LESLIE FERNANDO The little-known school from Southern Province - Telijjawila Central in the Matara District (Akuressa-Weligama electorate) that carried away the award for the Best Up-and-Coming team at the Observer-Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Silver Jubilee awards ceremony at the BMICH on Friday night, have performed well, playing in division three cricket competition this year. However, the school is facing grave financial problems in continuing playing cricket. Manjula de Silva, the master-in-charge of cricket said that this year, the school 1st XI team fared very well, winning five matches out of 12 games. Two matches were drawn. "We won against Siddartha Boys School, Vijitha Central, Gankanda Central, St. Mary's Matugama, Ranpokunagama and Dharmaloka MV. The third term matches are due to start shortly. But it is unlikely that the school will be able to play. We may have to forego the matches for want of money," coach De Silva said. The school first started playing cricket in 1995 among the under 12 and won 5 matches in the division two. Then participated in the under-15, under-17 and gradually came to 1st XI. At present there are over 30 cricketers turning up for training and those players can continue to play for another three years. The school has its own ground but it is not up to required standard. The ground and the side wicket facilities are in poor shape. All matches are played at Uyanwatte Stadium or Jayasuriya Stadium. The bookings and payment has to be done by the school and it cost a lot of money. Even the players have to travel a distance for school encounters. If the Principal of the school Mr. Sisira Gunawardena along with the old boys and the parents are doing their best for the school cricket team. We have approached the Matara District Cricket Association and the Urban Development Authorities to see that the school ground is improved and playing conditions suitable. This will ease our financial expenses. "To play cricket these days, a lot of money is required. The funds from the school was used for the purpose of cricket material, ground bookings, umpires fees. This season, a sum of Rs. 25,000 was set aside for cricket which was hardly sufficient to go through a full season. We are appealing to the BCCSL and the Schools Cricket Association and even well-wishers to come forward to assist us by providing the finances to keep the game alive here," said Manjula de Silva. The school has some promising players who turned out for St. Servatius Club, Matara. The players from the school also have played for the district and zonal teams and they have tremendous cricketing talent. G. Dasun Maduranga is the under-13 captain of the Matara District team. Meanwhile Nadun Lahirudara, a fine wicketkeeper cum batsman is in the Matara District Junior cricket pool. The school has also a proud record in becoming under-13 champions in the division four 2001. In the under-15 tournament, the school emerged runners-up in 2001. The under-17 and the 1st XI teams also have reached the semi-finals in the district and zonal tournaments. The school is also depended on the parents of players to provide the opposing teams as well as theirs lunch during the inter-school matches and the authorities are thankful to the parents for this fine gesture. "The school has some talented players, but all efforts of the school authorities and perseverance of the boys alone will not be enough. Funds are needed fast for the game to survive at Telijjawila Central," said A. M. Priyantha, the coach and Bandula Hewapathirana, the Prefect-of-Games". |
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