TWELVE TEAMS IN FRAY FOR PRIMA CHAMPIONS CUP
The Prima Under 15 inter-provincial cricket tournament begins today with 12 provincial teams in the fray to claim the Prima Champions Cup which is on offer. The tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association with the blessings of Sri Lanka Cricket is being sponsored by Prima Group Sri Lanka who have been supporting the tournament for the last 12 years.
The tournament began with the Under 15 inter-district tournament which saw the participation of 39 district teams with nearly 700 young players in action. The teams for the provincial tournament were selected during the progress of the inter-district tournament where the best performers were selected to form the provincial teams.
The Prima Under 15 tournament is a stepping stone for talented youngsters who get the opportunity to showcase their talent and in the process lay the foundation to reach greater heights in the future. Some of the present national players at some stage have been a part of the Prima Champions Cup during their school cricket career.
Shun Tien Shing, General Manager Ceylon Agro - Industries, Prima Group Sri Lanka addressing a media conference held at Sri Lanka Cricket emphasized that Prima was happy to confirm the sponsorship for a 12th successive year with the aim of developing cricket at junior level.
Speaking further he said, “We at Prima believe, it is our responsibility to encourage and inspire the youngsters who are seeking to gain recognition for the talents they posses, to lend our hand to fulfill the aspirations of the youngsters. In addition Prima Group will be providing the players with nutrition, cricket attire for all the players to encourage them further he concluded,” he said.
The Prima Champions Cup tournament includes five players from the Northern Province from Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullativu and Kilinochchi. The 12 teams in the fray are Western Province South, Western Province Central, Southern Province, Central Province, Western Province South Outer, Uva Province, Western Province North Outer, Western Province North, North Western Province, Eastern Province, North Central Province and Northern Province.
The matches will be played around the island at S. Thomas’ grounds Mt Lavinia, De Zoysa Stadium Moratuwa, Thurstan College grounds, NCC, MCG Katunayake, BRC, CCC, P. Sara Stadium, Braybrooke Place, R. Premadasa Stadium, Pallekele Stadium, Welagedera Stadium, Dambulla Stadium, Polonnaruwa and Zahir Gampola ground.
The final is scheduled to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium on November 9 and will be shown live on TV.
Six matches are down for decision tomorrow with the schedule with Western Province South taking on Southern Province at S. Thomas’, Western Province South Outer playing Western Province North Outer at De Zoysa Stadium, North Western Province facing North Central Province at Thurstan and Western Province Central up against Central at Pallekele Stadium.
Uva Province will face Western Province North at Welagedera Stadium while Eastern Province take on Northen Province at Dambulla Stadium.