32nd Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricket of the Year:

School cricket chief Hewage and umpires commend contest

by Leslie Fernando

CRICKET: Two key officials of the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers Sri Lanka - Saman Amerasinghe and Dilshan de Silva together with Asoka Senani Hewage - President of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association said that they appreciated a great deal for the efforts in organising the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricket of the Year Context as this contest gave the boys much needed enthusiasm to do well. The trio added that they are indeed happy that this prestigious contests for all Island and Outstation continues for 31 long years and there is a lot of encouragement for players in the outstation towns due to a sectional contest for them.

Amerasinghe, De Silva and Hewage also commended the sponsors - Mobitel for coming forward to support the contest because it gave the schoolboys lot of encouragement.

The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited organised the popular and prestigious Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest in 1978 and it has unearthed rich talent, said Dilshan de Silva Secretary, Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association and a key member of ACU-SSL. He is also a senior cricket selector in the SLSCA.

Dilshan said that he was very happy with the growth of school cricket in the island.

There are many outstation schools in the game now and that shows the game has got a firm footing in the island.

He said that the first winner of the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest in 1979. Ranjan Madugalle has shown the world at large that the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year is not anybody but someone special.

The ICC appointed Madugalle as the Chief Match Referee in their august body and Madugalle has got the respect of all cricket playing countries.

Dilshan further said that this contest has produced several Sri Lanka players. In fact some have captained Sri Lanka team. This contest is also a boost for the schoolboy cricketers from the outstation.

It is indeed great for Mobitel to partner. Sunday Observer in the prestigious contest which recognises the talents of the young cricketers in the country said Asoka Senani Hewage - President of SLSCA who is also the Principal of D. S. Senanayake College.

The partnership between Mobitel and Sunday Observer in taking cricket to the schools in underdevelop areas and making the game popular, is helping the boys to improve the game added the schools cricket chief Hewage.

“The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited should be commended for organising the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest for 31 years,” said Saman Amerasinghe President of Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers, Sri Lanka.

Amerasinghe, who was the first Tournament Secretary, SLSCA and has long experience as a cricket umpire added that the contest are on for the 32 nd year and all indications are that this year competition will not be second to any of the previous contests held in this competition.

The ANCL organised contest has catered to the schools in Colombo and Outstation Towns as well, and they have been well received.

The umpires are in a better position to spot players talent during school matches. Amerasinghe was of the view that hidden talent should be spotted by the umpires.

As the President of the ACU-SSL, I have advised and informed the umpires to spot talented cricketers and inform him.