Big cash awards on offer for readers

30th Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year:

By Leslie Fernando

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Inspired by the tremendous early response from our readers in voting for their favourite schoolboy cricketers at the 30th Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest, the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) decided to offer additional cash rewards to the readers who pick future cricketing stars.

Three lucky winners picked from the readers who sent in their voting coupons would get attractive cash rewards worth Rs. 5,000/- every week.

Three lucky winners to be picked every week would get Rs. 2,500/-. Rs.

1,500/- and Rs. 1,000/- from the organisers.A total sum of Rs. 100,000/- will be on offer.

This would be in addition to what we have originally promised - Mobitel SMART connections, pre-paid cards and a gift pack to three lucky voters every week from the sponsors of the show - Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel.

This would be a great inspiration to cricket fans who vote for their favourite schoolboy cricket heroes. While backing their own schoolboy cricketers to the Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer titles, they would stand a good chance of winning valuable cash awards and gifts.

Explaining the new move to reward the readers who vote for their favourite schoolboy cricketers, Chairman of ANCL and veteran journalist and TV personality, Bandula Padmakumara said the readers too have played a vital role in promoting school cricket over the past three decades.

“This has been the show that produces cricketing legends. Hence, a greater participation is vital in picking the most popular schoolboy cricketers and we have maintained that over the past 29 years. In order to salute the overwhelming response from our readers, we decided to grant additional cash rewards,” he said.

Chief Marketing Officer of the Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, Nalin Perera said they are happy to be associated with the ANCL and the Sunday Observer in recognising schoolboy talent.

“There is hidden talent. Evaluating their performance through an eminent panel of judges comprising representatives from the Umpires Association and Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association would give them a hair deal to come into the limelight,” he said.

Readers could also vote for their favourite schoolboy cricketers from international schools too. Such voting should be made under the All-Island category.

Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket, Arjuna Ranatunga, who has twice won this coveted award during his school days at Ananda, has already given his blessings for the 30th Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest.

Since taking over the top seat at the SLC, Ranatunga has shown a keen interest in promoting school cricket and the Sunday Observer too would be backing ‘Captain Cool’ to give better recognition to our budding cricketers.

Sri Lanka’s fastest growing mobile communication provider - Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel will be the new proud sponsor of the contest, organised by the ANCL in association with Sri Lanka Cricket, Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association and the Sri Lanka Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association.

Voting for the Observer-Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year - All-Island and Outstation contests began last week and the second weekly set of coupons would be published from today.

Voting coupons will also be published in the Daily News, Dinamina, Thinakaran and Kreeda daily.

The Sunday Observer readers would be on an advantageous position as they get two votes, including a bonus vote, per each coupon. All other voting coupons published in the Daily News, Dinamina, Thinakaran and Kreeda would get one vote each.

Readers are reminded to send the full coupon when voting.