Sri Rahula Alawwa handicapped by lack of funds

By Leslie Fernando

CRICKET: The little known school from North Central Province SRI RAHULA MMV, ALAWWA that carried away the award for the Best up-and-coming team at the 30th Observer Mobitel School Cricketer at the Year awards ceremony on Friday night. Sri Rahula performed well, playing in division one cricket competition this year.

However, the School is facing great financial problems playing Cricket - there’s no funds to carry the game forward. H. K. G. Dissanayake, the master-in-charge of cricket who is also the school’s cricket coach, said that this year, the school fared very well, winning 9 matches out of 10. One match was drawn.

We won against Maliyadeva, St. Anne’s, Sri Sumangala, Kurunegala, Zahira Gampola, Bandaranayake College, Gampaha, Maliyadeva Model School, Wickramaseela MV, Siri Piyaratana MV, and Ibbagamuwa Central. 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 funds, coach Dissanayake lamented.

The school first started playing cricket in 2001 for the under-12. They then participated in the under-15, under-17, and gradually came to 1st XI. At present there are over 120 cricketers turning up for training and those players can continue to play for longer period.

The school does not possess its own ground. They practise and play matches at the Alawwa Provincial Council ground. The ground and the side-wicket facilities are in poor shape. No turf wicket, and play is confined to matting.

The principal of the school Gamini Jayatissa, along with the parents of the cricketers are doing their best for the cricketers. The funds are found from the parents.

The umpires fees are paid from school funds. But it’s a big problem for the school to find finances for cricket equipment and also to provide meals for the visitors teams and travelling expenses. To play cricket these days, a lot of money is required. The funds from the school was used for the purpose of paying the umpires fees.

“We have appealed to Sri Lanka Cricket authorities and also to Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association and even to well-wishers to come forward to assist us by providing finances to keep the game alive here,” said Gamini Jayatissa. The school has some promising players who have turned out for Kurunegala District.

Charith Nirmal, Madusanka Abeyratne, Suranga Sampath, Dhammika Pushpakumara have played for the district and zonal teams and they have tremendous cricketing talent added Dissanayake. Chanaka Sarami from our school had the great opportunity to be included in the 2006 Schools Spin Clinic under former Sri Lanka player Ruwan Kalpage.

Gamini Jayatissa, the Principal is thankful to the parents for their fine gesture, supporting the cricket teams with finances. 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 Sri Rahula MMV, Alawwa said Principal Jayatissa.