Only one more step for the much awaited announcement
The tradition of selecting the topmost schoolboy cricketer of the island was once again held — this time for the 37th year at Hotel Galadari in Colombo last Friday. Going by the tradition the strong selection panel headed by cricket expert Jayantha Seneviratne. The process was a hectic one, of course, for the 20 odd members of the panel which had representatives from Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) and Umpires’ Association as well. Under Seneviratne’s versatile leadership, the panel also included former prominent cricketers, who are presently holding top positions in cricket administration and name a few.
As usual the all the best performers were considered in all departments in the categories of All-Island Schools and Emerging Schools in addition to looking out for the best team overall and teams that did well from respective regions. As it happens annually, the Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year for 2016 has done the justification of the talent of these youngsters who showcased their talent locally as well as internationally representing Sri Lanka Under-19s. The talent of all schoolboy cricketers were highly considered and scrutinized before being aptly picked by a large selection panel of experts, headed by renowned cricketing personality Jayantha Seneviratne.
Others who contributed with their expertise were Carlton Bernadus, Aubrey Kuruppu, Upul Sumathipala, Asoka de Silva, Frank Cooray, Lakshman Ranasinghe, SLSCA officials Sarathchandra Silva (President), Kapila Jayalath (Secretary), Manjula Vass (Treasurer), Jagath Senaratne (Vice President), J.A.K.S. Indrajith (U-19 Tournament Secretary), Dilshan de Silva (U-19 Selector), Umpires’ Association officials Sirosha Gunathilaka (President), U.G. Saman, Gamini Dissanayake, Gopala Krishnan, S. Gaspe and Upul Wewage. Besides them, officials from the Bata Shoe Company, headed by its Managing Director Amitav Nandy also was an active participant of the proceedings providing their fullest assistance to the process.
The Bata team which included Gayani Rajapaksha (Costing, Efficiency & Local Sourcing Manager; Chairperson Schoolboy Cricketer Organising Committee), Mohamed Ejaz Siddiqui, Ratan Parma, Malith Galappatthi, Nicholas Demeraal, Noel Robert, Sadani Ariyaratne, Chamila de Silva, P.K. Kotalawala, Shirani Ally, Indika Jayasinghe and Chamara Silva, played a key role in putting together all aspects together for the selection meeting which was eventually a success. The fully detailed results will be published in the coming week’s issue of the Sunday Times, giving the winners ample room to gear up themselves before accepting their awards and rewards on the gala awards night to be held at the BMICH in late July.
Pix by Ranjith Perera