Nalanda’s grand felicitation to cricket team for breaking hoodoo of seven decades
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Lap of honour by the winning team carrying the Dr. N.M. Perera Challenge Trophy
It was a fitting tribute for breaking the seven decade hoodoo of a big match victory for the Nalanda College cricket team of 2022. The winning Nalanda cricketers and their parents were felicitated in a grand manner at the grand ball room at Waters’ Edge amidst a packed audience by four past students associations of the college – Nalanda Old Boys’ Association, Nalanda Junior Old Boys’ Association, Old Nalandians’ Sports club and the Nalanda Past Cricketers’ Association, on September 17.
Nalanda beat Ananda after 69 years, at the SSC at their annual Big Match played on July 11. This glorious victory was celebrated in a beautiful atmosphere, bringing joy to each and every participant with a sense of pride for being an old Nalandian. Principal, Thilak Waththuhewa participated as the chief guest with his deputies as special invitees.
Captain Dineth Samaraweera, vice captain Chanul Athukorale meeting the Veteran Coach Nelson Mendis
The celebrations were made extra colourful by the participation of three legends who played in the 1953 team that recorded the last Nalandian victory in the 20th century, in 1953. The legends included Amarasiri Gunasena, Chandrasiri Weerasinghe and Nalin Perera of the 1953 team. Legendary Chandra Mendis had excused himself as he was unable to join the celebrations that evening. The cream of old boys who took time to grace the occasion including the past Nalandian cricketers ranged from past cricket captain Palitha Seneviratne (captain 1970) to the youngest of the captains of this millennium. Many past Nalandian national players too graced the occasion along with the President of Sri Lanka Cricket, past Nalanda cricket captain Shammi Silva also joining the galaxy of past cricketers.
Members of the 1953 Team – from left Nalin Perera , Amarasiri Gunasena , Chandrasiri Weerasinghe and Mrs Rohini Weerasinghe
The winners were recognised on stage, with their parents accompanying each player which gave the right honour to both parents and players. The electronic back drop displayed a huge photo of each player as they walked up to the stage with their parents. It was an emotional moment which these parents were very happy about, and some were in tears when they were up on the big stage. These young team of Nalandians gave the parents their due reward while still being in school, where surely each and every parent would have felt so proud for gifting the nation with such a worthy son.
Former Nalanda captain and Head of Technical Committee of Nalanda Cricket, Upul Gamage welcomed the guests and Air Chief Marshal, former Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, Gagan Bulathsinhala introduced the keynote speaker. Roshan Mahanama in his keynote address, stressed the importance of
Nalanda Captain 2022 winning team, Dineth Samaraweera, addressing the gathering
maintaining good ethics and discipline for a long stay in the field of cricket. Also, to have a strong mind so that they may be able to overcome setbacks in life. Mahanama went onto mention the names of people who helped him in his career including his parents and his first cricket coach Nelson Mendis, who also graced the occasion. Mahanama brought out examples from his life to explain to the young cricketers how difficulties come in a cricketer’s career and how strong they have to be, to overcome those. He stressed that the path ahead is not all that rosy but hard work, dedication, commitment and discipline is what will take them to greater heights.
Many valuable prizes were presented to the winning team as well as to their parents while the popular band ‘Friends in Harmony’ provided the right kind of music for the occasion. It was a well organised meticulously planned event. The team captain Dineth Samaraweera, in his speech, thanked the organisers and praised his players for a collective team effort which gave them this historic win.
Rising to the Nalanda Anthem - from right Shammi Silva Chairman Sri Lanka Cricket, Principal Mr. Tilak Waththuhewa, Roshan Mahanama, Mrs Jeewa Mahanama and Mrs Maheshika Wijeratne (Deputy Principal) partly hidden
The team, then did a lap of honour to the tune of Papare Band Music carrying the Dr. N.M. Perera Challenge Trophy awarded to the winners of the Battle of the Maroons. Skipper Dineth and vice captain Chanul Athukorale, the Sri Lankan Under-19 duo Raveen de Silva and Vinuja Ranpul and the rest of the team members were carrying the Challenge Trophy with much pride as they did this lap of honour amidst a thundering applause and a standing ovation by the rest of the participants.
Roshan Mahanama was the keynote speaker
A very attractive souvenir, rich in content and illustrations, which had been printed just for this occasion, was presented to all participants and they also received a framed portrait photograph of themselves captured when they entered the hall, which will certainly adorn their display cupboards. It was a dream come true for Old Nalandians to see this victory live and this felicitation ceremony proved to be a great follow up to relive those moments.
Both the young and old who were present at this occasion were overjoyed having been able to witness ‘a once in a life time victory celebration’ that evening.