Legendary Sangakkara to inspire youngsters as chief guest
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It’s a matter of a day and few hours before the Dialog 4G-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2019 is finally revealed to the nation. School cricketers from all parts of the country — boys and girls — are set to gather at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo on Monday (September 16) to receive the honour for all their hard work put in on the field during the school cricket season of 2018/2019.
A total of 56 awards are to be given away among over 200 award winners in individual and team categories representing All-Island, Emerging, Up and Coming and Girls’ schools. To witness the evening, top cricket officials, school administrators, parents and supporters are expected to turn out in numbers.
The Dialog 4G-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2018, allrounder Kamindu Mendis, will make his appearance to usher in his successor, who will be picked from the top three finalists — Lakshitha Rasanjana Manasinghe of Nalanda College, Santhush Gunathilake of St. Peter’s College and Kavishka Senadheera of Trinity College.
To recognise the talents of the young and aspiring school cricketers of both genders, Sri Lanka’s living legend in cricket, former national skipper and President-in-waiting of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the guardians of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.
To make the event more exciting for the young cricketers former Sri Lanka leg-spinning great Rangana Herath will make his presence as the Guest of Honour. Current Sri Lanka women’s team captain, Chamari Atapattu will attend as a Special Guest.
As last year, event partner Dialog Axiata PLC has set all plans afoot with Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. and the Sunday Times to dish out a memorable event, that would be talked about for days to come. Providing glamour and excitement will be the event itself, which promises a one-of-a-kind experience to all attendees with the organizers adopting the latest high-tech activities to make it an unforgettable event.
Surprises will be many tomorrow at Nelum Pokuna Theatre, as all participants are promised good entertainment. A renowned musical band, comprising talented artistse, will make the event an unforgettable one with surprising gigs lined up during the show.
The Sunday Times has made all arrangements to publish a special pullout with pictures and details of all nominees with the Monday (September 16) issue of the DailyMirror. The pullout includes comprehensive information about the nominees and a limited number of copies will be available free at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre.
With everything in place for a glamorous and memorable evening, the show would also be streamed live on Dialog Axiata’s thePapare.com and Dialog TV Channel 77. Make sure to be part of it and witness the future talents of the country’s cricket recognised for their efforts and achievements of today.
| Schoolboy Cricketer 2018 award was a Game Changer- Kamindu Mendis | |
 Kamindu Mendis–the winner of Dialog 4G-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer 2018 has stepped into the big league, having represented Sri Lanka in limited over cricket during the last 12-months.Possessed of an unique ability to bowl with both arms with the same accuracy, Mendis was Sri Lanka’s U-19 skipper when he won the prestigious award presented by–Dialog 4G and the Sunday Times recognizing his excellent performance during the year and the potential he had to graduate to the big league.Just a few weeks after he clinched the coveted title, Mendis made his international debut in T20 cricket against England last year. He was then handed his ODI debut against South Africa early this year. He has, since featured in four T20Is and two ODI matches and has been a regular in Sri Lanka Emerging and ‘A’ teams. “It was a huge honour and a big stepping stone for my cricketing future,” said Mendis recalling his moment of glory at the 2018 Dialog-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer award ceremony. “Soon after being crowed, I was selected to play in the Super Provincial Tournament. I did well in that tournament and was soon called up for national duty.” The Dialog 4G-the Sunday Times award ceremony opens a window for schoolboy cricketers to become national stars. Every schoolboy should aim to play the game to the best of his ability and maintain the true spirit of the game. On and off the field relations are very vital for a schoolboy cricketer. His dedication and sacrifice to the game paid rich dividends to as he was Schoolboy Cricketer of 2018, and his advice to the present day schoolboy cricketer is to focus on the game to give your best. This will lay the foundation to be a future National player. |