Take cricket seriously and benefits will accrue - Sanath Jayasuriya

By A.C. de Silva

Sanath Jayasuriya – Chairman of selection committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Postal Services, had a ministerial look about him when in the national language he advised the youngsters present at the awards ceremony of the Sunday Observer – Mobitel Cricket Awards to take the game of cricket seriously as it will bring rich rewards.

At Hotel Galadari on Friday night, Jayasuriya advised the large crowd of schoolboys present to take the game seriously as it will definitely bring them rich rewards as they have a first hand experience of the valuable gifts that have been presented for the winners of various segments of the show.

Associated at the cricket show with two other ministers Bandula Gunewardena from the Education front and Keheliya Rambukwella – Minister of Mass Media and Information, Jayasuriya seemed to have gathered enough ‘push’ to drive into the minds of the young cricketers the benefits that would come the cricketers way if they take the game seriously. Cricket has to be played with a lot of care and once the game is mastered, the rewards will come the way of the players.

There were many admirers of Jayasuriya who was a splendid cricketer during his school days a few years back at St.Servatius Matara and he was so keen in his young days that he was able to make the grade. So, Jayasuriya advised the young boys who were gathered at the show that success would come their way once the boys took the game to their heart and play determind cricket.

The school cricketers show a lot of promise. Take for example Kusal Mendis of Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa. He has won the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the year Award. Now he must take the game to his heart and having the keeness, Mendis is bound to do well in the years to come.

A cricketer must be keen and devote a lot of time to the game and he is bound to come good if he shows keeness and devotion to the game.

Jayasuriya said that when he started playing cricket he never thought that he would be able to go for, but he devoted his time to the game and it paid him rich dividends when he grew older.

Speaking about the sponsorship of cricket contests, Jayasuriya said that Lake House has done a great service to the young cricketers in having this show for 35 years. It is a fine gesture on the part of the Lake House and Observer to have the show so that the young boys will have something to look for when they are playing the game.

Sponsorship is vital for game to proceed as it is somewhat a costly exercise. Organisers should not think about the cost factor at the start, because when one gets involved, the game will catch on and benefits will come the way of the cricketers.

One of Sanath Jayasuriya’s great pals – Arjuna Ranatunga too was present at the awards ceremony on Friday and Jayasuriya thanked Ranatunga in helping to take the game of cricket tot he outstation towns and this move has paid much dividends.