Four teams into the Girls U-19 cricket semi-finals
View(s):With the semi-finals of the Under-19 Girls Cricket Tournament 2014, organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) being scheduled for tomorrow at Wesley College Ground Colombo, four teams representing Gampaha Rathnavali Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Anula 
Vidyalaya Nugegoda, Vijayabahu Maha Vidyalaya Okkampitiya and Deva Pathiraja Maha Vidyalaya Rathgama, that clinched the victory at the recently concluded quarter-finals, will get into the battle field to fight for the two slots in the finals.
Significantly, the 25-over semi-finals will be played with a white ball and the teams will be attired in coloured kits symbolizing their respective school colours, as opposed to the red ball and white kit concept that was in place up to the quarter-final matches, says the Tournament Secretary Girls Cricket Tournament Ms. Champika Weeratunge.
The cricket tournament, sponsored by Sri Lanka cricket, which is open to all girls teams of the girls and girls teams of mixed schools, is organised with the objective to take the standards of local women’s cricket on par with the international, and to tap the potential players for the National squad, the Secretary
Champika Weeratunge Tournament Secretary Girls Cricket Tournament
says citing as an example, the success story of Hasini Perera from Anula Vidyalaya whose talents were identified during the last year’s tournament. According to her, Hasini is currently the opening batter of the National Women’s Cricket team.
“This time too, our expectation is to find a few talented players for the National squad and selectors will be identifying the potential players who showcase extra ordinary skills from pre-quarter finals onwards.
Stating that there were 38 schools that registered for the tournament this time, the secretary said, eight teams representing Gampaha Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya, St. Anthony’s Convent Kandy, Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda, Gothami Balika Vidyalaya Colombo 10, Sri Siddhartha Madyamaha Vidyalaya Eppawela, Deva Pathiraja Maha Vidyalaya Rathgama, Bandaranaike Vidyalaya Mirigama, Vijayabahu Maha Vidyalaya Okkampitiya made it to the quarter-finals.”
Established in 1948, Sri Lanka School Cricket Association organises and manages all school level cricket tournaments. The Association provides assistance to the participating teams in terms of sports gear, meals, grants for umpiring and scorer fee etc.
“Students who came for the last year’s tournament from rural villages were faced with much hardship, not having even proper sports shoes. While the tournament was going on, we had to make arrangements to borrow from the other participants. Therefore, this time we decided to provide them with sports kits,” she said.
- Dhananjani Silva