Stage set for catch-them-young cricket tourney

The five captains Mishika Abeywardena (Colombo North), Methuka Gunaratne (Colombo South), Hiruk Akalanka (Galle), Yumal Egodage (Dambulla) and Lakindu Mewalu (Kandy) with the glittering Prima Trophy (Pictures by Kithsiri de Mel)

By M. Shamil Amit

Prima Group which has been in the forefront of promoting junior cricket in Sri Lanka has come forward on yet another occasion to sponsor the much looked forward to Under-15 Sri Lanka Youth League limited overs junior cricket tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket.

Organised under the National Pathway Programme of SLC, Prima comes forward to support the event for the 18th successive year since its inception in 2007.

The tournament initially was played as an Under-13 tournament but on the request of the then SLC Director of Cricket the late Bandula Warnapura it was changed to Under-15.and this year for the first time in the history of the tournament the white ball will be introduced.

The tournament which is scheduled to get underway today (November 19) and slotted to end on November 28 will have the participation of five Super Provincial teams, Colombo North, Colombo South, Dambulla, Galle and Kandy

The tournament is designed to showcase talent and provides the ideal platform for grooming.

Sajith Gunaratne, General Manager of Ceylon Agro Industries, Prima Group stated that the tournament reflects their enduring commitment in promoting juniors with the aim of creating opportunities to young players.

“We are proud to see that most of the present national players have been part of this tournament”, said Gunaratne.

Present Sri Lanka players Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka played in the tournament in 2012 and 2013.

“The tournament no doubt has played a vital role in horning the skills of young players and Prima will continue to support and encourage the youngsters to gain recognition to fulfil their aims” said Gunaratne.

The tournament is scheduled to be played at the Thurstan ground with the two semifinals to be held on November 26 followed by the final on November 28.

Nalin Aponso, Chairman Tournament Committee and Executive of SLC (second from left) receiving the sponsorship package from Sajith Gunaratne, General Manager of Prima Group flanked by Achala Ramanayake, head of International Marketing and Business Development, Prima Group and Jerome Jayaratne, Director of Cricket, SLC