Every talented young cricketer gathered within the walls of the BMICH, for the BATA-The Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2010, was gleaming with expectation before the night’s proceedings. They nurtured thoughts no doubt that they too, like the event’s Chief Guest Aravinda de Silva, would one day graduate to be dominant forces on the cricket field.
The night was both a celebration of some of the finest school talent in the country as well as a spectacle of pomp and pageantry. Following a string of inspiring speeches from BATA Managing Director, Cesar Panduro, veteran journalist Louis Benedict and the former World Cup batting hero Aravinda, the youngsters were treated to the rhythmic gyrations of the Prasadhi Dance Academy.
Both Mr. Benedict and Mr. Aravinda de Silva emphasised the need for discipline and hardwork, while the latter also urged parents not to interfere in team selections at school-level and to ‘be there’ for the child if he is dropped from the side.
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| Outstation Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year- Malith Chathuranga of Kalutara MMV receives his award from the Chief Guest Aravinda de Silva |
The highlight of the night was the awards presentation itself. First up were the awards for the outstation categories. It was deeply pleasing to see the smiles and looks of joy etched on the faces of the boys from Royal College Panadura, as they went up to claim their prize for the Best Outstation team.
This unbridled glee continued throughout the night as each winner stepped up enthusiastically to take home their trophy as well as cricket gear, which is sure to be indispensable in fulfilling their future cricketing aspirations.
This will prove particularly vital for the cricketers from Kokuvil Hindu College, who won the award for Best Team from the Northern Province, an area that is just emerging from civil war.
It was then time for the award of the night, The BATA-The Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2010. Striding to the stage to present the award was last year’s winner, the immensely talented Dinesh Chandimal. Chandimal stood in front of a massive leather ball with a giant 31 on it, which hung above an equally gigantic set of stumps, and waited as it slowly revolved to reveal a majestic golden trophy.
When the announcement, “Rumesh Buddika from Mahinda College Galle” was made, the audience erupted into raptures of applause. History had been created. For the first time in the 31 year history of the Schoolboy Cricketer awards, the prize had gone to a boy from the South of the country.
The jubilant Buddika was then escorted to the stage by a group of dancers decked in festive garb. With quiet aplomb the tremendously talented Buddika then walked past a guard of honour from his teammates, and on to the stage.
Once there, amidst the loud cheers and claps, he joyously claimed his prize, and was instantaneously shrouded in the bright flashes of cameras and the understandable expectation of many in the audience, who will hope for great things from young Buddika.
BATA-The Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2010
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