BMICH turned into an aisle to the future

Chief guest Vaas applauds the next generation of cricket champions

Friday night was never meant to be forgotten for some, who had worked hard and done exceptionally well above the rest with the leather and willow. The night belonged to all those young lads who had made it big and their schools proud by being selected as the best schoolboy cricketers of Sri Lanka.

It was their night and they were in charge of the proceedings of the night when the Bata Shoe Company held its 36th annual Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year awards ceremony in collaboration with the Sunday Times at the BMICH, where a fitting end was brought to the school cricket season of 2014/15.

The pace of the show changed upside down when the names of the winners were called upon, to receive probably the recognition of a lifetime for some. And for some Friday night would be the start of their second journey in cricket and the destination could be beyond imagination.

Probably the speech delivered by the chief guest, Sri Lanka cricket’s undeterred servant and former fast bowling allrounder Chaminda Vaas, gave them the much needed motivation for the youngsters, what and who they should really be.

Vaas in his speech said the importance of adhering discipline, commitment, dedication and spirit could take them beyond boundaries. He also pointed out that true talent and potential, if perfectly mastered, are things that no one can steal or take out from an individual and those facts could gradually take them to their goals, easily.

Yet at the same time, Vaas said, he is happy to see many from the rural reaching the top spot. He insisted to the caretakers of the sport and youngsters, namely to the officials of Sri Lanka Cricket and the Sri Lanka School Cricket Association to nurture these talents and preserve and help them for the bet- terment of country’s cricketing future. True words indeed.

“When I was a schoolboy cricketer, I was never lucky enough to win such an award. You have done better than me at this level to be recognised as future potentials of our country’s cricket. Make sure you don’t bow down to failures. Believe in your abilities, skills and commit yourself with loyalty to the game of cricket. Discipline is the most important mechanism in cricket. If you are well disciplined, you will be seriously committed and concerned on the facts of fitness, technique, skill level and stamina and that itself will be the factor that could be make you the next top professional in cricket and the future stars of the national team,” Vaas told the youngsters.

Then it came to the point of giving away the awards. Anxious youngsters, who were keeping their fingers crossed until their names were called by the MCs, veteran Faizal Bongso and Sherrifa, kept all their timidity aside to walk on to the stage and portray that they could be the household names in cricket in time to come.

Richmond College and Sri Lanka Under-19s skipper, promising allrounder Charith Asalanka, who had an impressive season stood out as the brightest star in the gathering that shone on Friday night. The eminent selection panel led by former national cricketer Jayantha Seneviratne had no hesitation in selecting him as the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2015. Next to Asalanka was Avishka Fernando, his deputy at Sri Lanka Under-19s and the dashing opening batsman of St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa. The striking batsman was rewarded with the runner-up award of Schoolboy Cricket of the Year 2015. Asitha Madushan Fernando of St. Sebastian’s College Katuneriya and the opening bowler of Sri Lanka Under19s was the Emerging Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year.

St. Peter’s College earned the award for the Best Team while its skipper Chandula Jayamanne was the obvious choice for the Best Captain’s award. St. John’s College Jaffna were the Most Promising Team. From the start to the end, schoolboy cricketers from all parts of Sri Lanka flocked into one place, to spend some hours together, taking honours for their hard efforts on the field, having a lighter time dancing away the night, and sharing each second with great jot and camaraderie in the name of the game they love – cricket.