Forty teams in under 14 International Invitation cricket tourney

CRICKET: Forty teams divided into eight groups will vie for honours in the Fourth Under 14 International Invitation Cricket Tournament for Coaching Schools and Academies for the Nelson Mendis Challenge Trophy to be played from December 8 to 21.

The tournament will be sponsored by Ceylon Cold Stores, Singer, Sri Lanka, Premier One Water System, BDM and Sons, India, Data Master Computer Systems and Sumathi Sports.

The tourney will have forty teams. In 2004 the tourney started with 24 teams, and the addition of 16 teams with a team each from India, Pakistan and Malaysia will add more glamour to the tournament.

At a press briefing held at the Gymkhana Club in connection with the event, Chairman Tournament Committee Nelson Mendis and the Director Coaching, Colombo Cricket Club, said that the main objective in conducting the tournament of this nature is to give exposure to young talented cricketers from various coaching schools who are deprived from playing in a quality and competitive tournament.

The competition will also provide the opportunity for the youngsters to be pitted against foreign teams and gain valuable experience by matching their skills and ability.

Priority will be given to discipline and punctuality where it prevailed in the previous tournaments. It will also help to build cordial and friendly relationship among the players and officials.

The three foreign teams participating are: Frank Anthony Public School from Bangalore, India; Custom's Cricket Academy Karachi, Pakistan and Malaysian Malay Cricket Association from Kuala Lumpur.

The winners will be awarded the Nelson Mendis Challenge Trophy and the runners-up will be presented with the CCC Challenge Trophy.

There will be prizes for the Best Batsman, Bowler, Fielder, Wicketkeeper and Player of the Tournament. Man of the Match award will be presented from the pre-quarter final stage upto the final.

The 40 teams are divided into 8 groups and the pre-quarter final stage will be conducted in a round-robin basis. Thereafter the winner and the runner-up of each group will play in a knock out basis. the final will take place on December 21 at the CCC grounds.