Trend set by Sunday Observer and Mobitel should go on!

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: “During my 11-year-old career as an administrator in various positions at the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association, I was delighted to see many emerging school players finally ending representing the country at the highest level. It has also happened before I was involved in the contest and I sincerely hope that the trend will continue for many years”. said the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association Dilshan de Silva. Dilshan de Silva was speaking about the Observer – Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest which has gathered momentum now.

Dilshan de Silva, a cricketer of repute himself, has represented the Ambalangoda Club Rio in his native place. He has also played in the Kent minor counties from year 2000/2002 and is also a level 2 coach. Dilshan further said that every cricketer’s dream from under 13 to first eleven is one day to represent the country and the contest will no doubt provide them to make their dreams come true. Besides the two main competitions in the All- Island and Outstation categories, the other departments too give a tremendous boost for the recipients in their arduous journey in the cricket world.

De Silva who was involved in the contest since 2001, has seen many top players coming through the process. Players like Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Tharanga Paranavithana, Angelo Mathews, Farveez Maharoof, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Ramith Rambukwella and Sachit Pathirana are all doing well. While some have played in Test matches, a few are on the verge of gaining national recognition. While looking back at the contest, it gives me great pleasure and a lot of satisfaction as a member of the Schools Cricket Selection Committee and also as a member of the Selection Committee of the Contest in picking the winners.

The success of the competition could be easily seen by the number of players who have gone on to represent the country at the highest level. At the initial stages of the show, there were Ranjan Madugalle, Arjuna Ranatunga, Roshan Mahanama, Asanka Gurusinha, Kumar Dharmasena, Thilan Samaraweera, Muttiah Muralitharan. In the recent past, there were players like Dinesh Chandimal and Bhanuka Rajapakse who are now making a strong claim to gain representative honours in big-time cricket.

Most of the past winners have also contributed towards the game in various other capacities. Madugalle’s appointment as the ICC Chief Match Referee is no doubt a great honour to the country and Sri Lanka Cricket. Roshan Mahanama is also a reputed Match Referee. Kumar Dharmasena has shown his prowess as an respected Test umpire. Some have obtained their cricket coaching certificates and have migrated to take up coaching as their career. Dilshan thanked the Sunday Observer and Mobitel for the support given to the youngsters who eventually will be the future players for the country.