Nalanda-Trinity First XI game renamed as Mahela-Sanga Challenge Trophy from this year
The 41st cricket encounter between Trinity College, Kandy and Nalanda College, Colombo is to be played at the Nalanda Grounds on December 28 and 29. This year’s clash is of special significance as the match will be played for the inaugural ‘ Mahela & Sanga Challenge Trophy’.
With a theme ‘ Spirit of Cricket Legacy for Future Generations’ the glittering trophy is named after two cricketing greats produced by these two highly respected academic institutions in the island. The annual cricket encounter between Nalanda and Trinity, had been an annual encounter in the schools’ cricket calendar since 1978.
Mahela and Sanga, as they are endearingly called by cricket loving public all over the world are two cricketing gentlemen who have shown their willingness to contribute to society in countless times.
In a press briefing and handing over the trophy held at the SSC on Thursday it was revealed that the event is organised by the Nalanda College ’88 Group of Old Boys along with the Nalanda College Old Boys’ Association and Nalanda College Past Cricketers’ Association with the approval of respective Principals of the two institutions.
Legendary Sangakkara in his address expressed the value of being a schoolboy cricketer.
"The discipline, honesty, integrity and dignity that receives from school will have to be safeguarded throughout one' s life," Sangakkara stated.
He went on to say that he and Mahela are in this present position because they safeguarded what they learnt from school.
"The runs one scores, the wickets and catches taken will not be valued unless one is not disciplined. You play for your college as a family without any cast, creed or religion differences. The experience and lessons that you learnt at school is sure to make a complete citizen of tomorrow," he added.
Mahela Jayawardene in his speech said that the standard of school cricket will have to be improved. As an advisor on school cricket to the Ministry of Education he will make every effort for the improvement of school cricket.
"In an era where people are divided on cast, creed and religion, cricket teaches a very important lesson that instill the feelings of togetherness and camaraderie in future generations," Mahela stated.
"The spirit of togetherness as a team reminds everyone of us that were a part of a big family though we may be divided in to many sectors based on what we have created for ourselves," he went on to say.
The friendship and the bond between Mahela and Sanga is a classic example of this.
The press conference was attended by Thilak Wattuhewa, Principal of Nalanda Colle g e, Ananda Marasinghe, Co Vice Principal representing Andrew Fowler Watt, Principal of Trinity College, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumara Sangakkara, Sanjeewa Perera - President, Nalanda College OBA, Upul Gamage - President of Nalanda College Past Cricketers Association, R. N. K. Nilantha Ratnayake - President, Trinity College Cricket Foundation and Janaka Periyapperuma, President, Nalanda College ’88 Group.