The 44th annual Saints Quadrangular featuring four of the leading catholic schools in the island will take place on August 20 and 21 at three different venues around Colombo. The popular quadrangular sports festival that features cricket and basketball hs been an occasion of camaraderie for the old boys of St. Joseph’s, St. Peter’s, St. Benedict’s and St. Anthony’s.
The sporting gala will feature cricketers and cagers of yesteryear turned into national and international sporting figures. Former and present cricketing stars from the four institutions including names like Sajith Fernando, Piyal Wijetunga, Ruwan Kalpage, Sohan Boralessa, Chathura Peiris, Angelo Perera, Angelo Emmanuel, Chaminda Vaas and Michael Vandort can be seen in action during the exciting two-day sports gala.
This tournament was inaugurated in 1963 to coincide with the 50th year celebration of St. Benedict’s College but invitations were sent to many schools according to Ranjith Samarasekera who is a key figure in the Saints Quadrangular.
“Incidentally only three schools confirmed their participation. Interestingly they were Saints schools and the officials made this an annual event ever since. We consider this as a unique occasion for all past sportsmen of the four schools to meet together and reminisce our good old days as well as discuss about the developments of sports of our schools,” said Samarasekera.
Originally the main cricket match among the past players of the four schools was played as a two-day encounter. But as years progressed, the organizers decided convert the tournament into a much involving event and changed into a limited overs competition and in 2002. A 25-overs per side cricket tournament was added for players above the age of 40. Two years later basketball was introduced.
“We have plans to introduce few more sports like, rugby and badminton. We did some trials when the tournament was hosted by St. Anthony’s few years back but could not persist then onwards. In the near future we are hoping to add more sports to this tournament,” he added.
The winning team of the Quadrangular Tournament will receive the Very Rev. Fr. Joe E. Wickremasinghe Trophy. Presently Old Peterites and Old Antonians are the joint championships after last year’s final encounter of the main tournament was washed out due to rain. The Over-40 tournament was also jointly shared by Old Josephians and Old Antonians. Old Benedictines are the defending basketball champions. This year’s tournament is organized by the Old Josephians Sports Club.
Schedule:
August 20
Main Quadrangular (50 overs): Old Josephians vs Old Antonians at Darley Road; Old Peterites vs Old Benedictines at Bambalapitiya.
Veterans (Over-40) 25 overs per side at Kotahena: Old Josephians vs Old Antonians at 9.30 a.m.; Old Peterites vs Old Benedictines at 2.00 p.m.
Basketball tournament at St. Joseph’s court: (A) Old Josephians vs Old Peterites at 7.00 a.m.; (B) Old Peterites vs Old Benedictines at 9.00 p.m.; (C) Winner of A vs Winner of B at 2.30 p.m.; (D) Loser of A vs Loser of B at 4.00 p.m.
August 21
Main Quadrangular (50 overs): Final at Darley Road from 9.45 a.m.
Veterans (Over 40) 25 overs per side: Final at Bambalapitiya from 10.00 a.m.
Basketball tournament at St. Joseph’s court at 7.00 a.m. and Final at 3.30 p.m.
(Pic by Mangala Weerasekara) |
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