Minister impressed with growth of school cricket

by Leslie FERNANDO

CRICKET: “I am thoroughly impressed in the manner the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year competition has been organised. It was heartening to note that the competition had catered to cricketers around the country. The young cricketers blossom out from the schools and are prepared to accept the challenges from the outside world of cricket.” So said Keheliya Rambukwella - Minister of Mass Media and Information who was the chief guest at the 32nd Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year awards presentation at the Bandaranaike ‘A’ Hall, BMICH on Monday evening.

The awards presentation show this year was quite different from the ones held in former years as no speeches were made and Minister Rambukwella whispered his thoughts to me.

He said that the contest organised by Sunday Observer and Mobitel will encourage young cricketers to work harder for the greater glory of the school they come from and also for the country.

This annual event with rich traditions recognises schoolboy cricketers and teams from all parts of the island who have performed with outstanding merit during the school cricket season.

Minister Rambukwella who is a keen follower of the game - in fact his son Ramith will be captaining Royal College in the 2010-2011 season.

The Minister said that this contest over the years have unearthed talent from all parts of the country. This contest has been a source of inspiration to Sri Lanka’s budding schoolboy cricketers. There should be more cricketers emerging from the encouragement given to them.

Minister Rambukwella said that there will be ups and downs in one’s career but the cricketers must not get disheartened, but keep pegging at the game and then success will eventually come.

The Minister commended ANCL-Sunday Observer together with the sponsors SLT-Mobitel for organising the prestigious event and hoped that the annual event will continue for many years to come.