National recognition for Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of The Year contest

Sri Lanka Cricket joins ANCL in promoting school cricket

The 30th Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest would be launched from next week. The popular contest, which has produced many Sri Lanka cricketers, would reach another great milestone in its three-decade long history. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) which conducts the popular awards ceremony through Sri Lanka's English newspaper with the largest circulation - the 'Sunday Observer,' will; join with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to give national recognition to the much sought after event in the local school cricket calendar.

In addition to the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) and Sri Lanka Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (SLCUSA), which have been associated with the 'Sunday Observer' in the selection process of the contest for many years, the SLC too will step in as the ANCL plans to organise this year's contest on a grand scale.

Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Arjuna Ranatunga said the SLC is pleased to be associated with the ANCL for the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year show. "Sri Lanka Cricket is concentrating on school cricket to strengthen our national pool. At a time we make a special emphasis on school cricket and its development, it's nice to be a part of the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year event," Sri Lanka's 1996 World cup winning captain said yesterday.

Ranatunga said the Sunday Observer would have the blessings of the SLC in its endeavour to recognise the talents and achievements of local schoolboy cricketers. Sri Lanka Cricket would nominate former Sri Lanka Test leg spinner D. Somachandra de Silva, as its main representative for the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year panel. 'DS' is the live-wire behind SLC's recent school cricket development program and his experience and expertise would be an immense help for the organisers.

Ranatunga said he would also name two other representatives from the SLC for this national program to honour the country's budding cricketers.

Ranatunga is no stranger to the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest, having won the main title twice - in 1980 and once again 1982 - the year in which he played in Sri Lanka's inaugural Test against England as a schoolboy from Ananda.

Meanwhile, the governing body for school cricket - the SLSCA, would once again play a major role in supporting the ANCL for the contest. "We will continue our support to the Sunday Observer to conduct the show. It would give recognition to our young cricketers," Secretary of the SLSCA Dilshan de Silva said. More importantly, the SLCUSA plays a vital role in the talent search of the contest. It's the umpires who closely monitor the action of schoolboy cricketers for nearly five months from the third term matches and their presence would make the selections even more accurate. Administrative Manager of the SLCUSA Ignatius Anandappa commended the ANCL for organising the contest for the 30th time. "We have been contributing to the selection process for many years and would continue to extend our support for a worthy cause.

The show is definitely a morale booster and an inspiration for the schoolboy cricketers," Anandappa said.

Chairman of the ANCL and veteran journalist, Bandula Padmakumara said the organisers intend to give better recognition to schoolboy cricketers by making the show "a mega national event. "It should not be just confined to a school event. Our aim is to make this a mega national event with an islandwide attention. I am delighted to have Sri Lanka Cricket supporting us in this endeavour," he said.

The Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year, over the years, has produced many Sri Lanka stars. More than 90% of schoolboy cricketers who win top honours, have gone up to national level. It was Royal's Ranjan Madugalle who was adjudged the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in the inaugural contest in 1979 and he not only went on to captain the Test team but has now ended up as the ICC's Chief Match Referee.

Besides Ranatunga, the others who won the main Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 'crown' were Rohan Buultjens (St. Peter's - 1981), Roshan Mahanama (Nalanda - 1983 and 1984), Asanka Gurusinghe (Nalanda - 1985), Roshan Jurangpathy (Royal - 1986), Rohan Weerakkody (St. Joseph's - 1987), Sanjeewa Ranatunga (Ananda - 1988), Marvan Atapattu (Ananda - 1990), Muttiah Muralitharan (St. Anthony's, Katugastota - 1991), Sajith Fernando (St. Anthony's, Katugastota - 1992), Naveed Nawas (D. S. Senanayake - 1993), Tilan Samaraweera (Ananda - 1994 and 1995), Nimesh Perera (St. Sebastians - 1996), Chinthaka Jayasinghe (Dharmapala - 1997, Pradeep Hewage (St. Benedict's - 1998), Muthumudalige Pushpakumara (Ananda - 1999), Kaushalya Weeraratne ((Trinity - 2000), Kaushalya Lokuarachchi (St. Peter's - 2001), Sahan Wijeratne (Prince of Wales - 2002), Farveez Maharoof (Wesley - 2003), Lahiru Peiris (St. Peter's - 2004 and 2005), Gihan Rupasinghe (Nalanda - 2006) and Malith Gunatillake (Ananda - 2007).