Eight schools in Henry Steele Olcott cricket tourney

by Leslie FERNANDO

CRICKET: Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya together with Old Dharmapalians Sports Club has finalised all arrangements to organise the annual Henry Steele Olcott Cricket Tournament 2009 with eight schools participating. The Tournament will be on December 4, 5 and 6 at Dharmapala Vidyalaya grounds.

Donald Perera, President Old Dharmapalians SC and Senaka Angulgaha, Tournament Director said that this tournament is being held for the 11th year. It started in 1999 has been going from strength to strength over the last ten years.

It is most encouraging and satisfying to know that it has now become a national event. Both expressed their appreciation to eight schools for accepting the invitation to play in this prestigious tournament. This cricketing event was named after the most respected Sir Henry Steele Olcott in appreciation of his services to education in Sri Lanka. The eight participating schools are: Ananda, Nalanda, Maliyadeva, Dharmaraja, Dharmapala, Dharmasoka, Rahula and Mahinda. The First XI teams of these colleges play a Six-a-Side tournament on the first day. On the second and third days a 12-overs per side matches are arranged on a knockout basis.

A separate Six-A-Side tournament is arranged for the losing teams of the first round and these matches will be played concurrently on the second and third day.

The tournament draw - Maliyadeva vs Mahinda (first match), Nalanda vs Dharmapala (second), Dharmaraja vs Rahula (third) and Dharmasoka vs Ananda (fourth).

A trophy presented for the winners of the First XI teams at the end of their tournament on the first day. "The Olcott Challenge Trophy" and other awards are presented at the end of their third day for winners of the Old Boys Tournament.

The opening ceremony will be held on Friday, December 4 at Dharmapala Vidyalaya grounds at 9 a.m.

A grand get-together will take place at New Samanala Restaurant with the old boys and the participating teams on the evening of the 2nd day - 5th december.