International Invitation under 14 cricket from December 8 to 21

The CCC School of Cricket under the guidance of Nelson Mendis and its Committee of Management has finalized arrangements to stage the Fourth under 14 International Invitation Cricket Tournament for coaching schools/academies from December 8 to 21. The winners will be awarded the Nelson Mendis Challenge Trophy.

The basic objectives of the tournament: (1) to give an exposure to up and coming cricketers of numerous cricket coaching schools and academies. (2) To provide an opportunity for young players to play against foreign teams and gain valuable experience. (3) To help young cricketers to develop and strengthen cordial and friendly relationships and nurture a spirit of sportsmanship.

This year too outstation teams from Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Panadura, Bentota, Wattala, Ambalangoda and Kandy alongwith several teams from the outskirts of Colombo like Kotte, Nugegoda, Pelawatte, Malabe, Rajagiriya, Kesbewa, Boralesgamuwa and Pannipitiya have entered more teams than Colombo proper.

Three teams from India, Pakistan and Malaysia will add spice to the tournament.

The tournament will be conducted on a league basis in the preliminary round with eight groups of five teams and will play each other on a round-robin basis. The winner and the runner-up of each group will next play on a knock-out basis in the pre-quarters which will have eight matches. Next will be the four quarter-final matches, two semi finals and the final. Altogether 95 matches will be played in the contest.

Last year Fingara International Cricket Academy beat Roy Dias School of Cricket in the final.

The main sponsors for the contest are: Ceylon Cold Stores, Singer Sri Lanka, Premier One Water Systems, BDM & Sons (Pvt) Ltd, India and Sumathi Sports.