U-19 Cricket: Schools competition and structure to be regularised

The Ministry of Education is in an earnest bid to regularise school cricket in the country. Special Consultant to the Ministry of Education Sunil Jayaweera feels that it is a must that School Cricket have its own regulations and controls rather than let them run wild. 

The main idea is not encouraging the advent of new cricket playing schools without proper planning. 

Jayaweera said that they have penned down some points for discussions and soon after the National School Games are over on October 17, they will be ready to take the bull by its horns. 

At present there are well over 400 cricket playing schools that play over 7000 tournament matches a year. 

The commitment is huge and at the same time as well as being a huge expense. 

However the problem is more and more schools are striving to take up the game. 

The Education Department Consultant Jayaweera said “Soon after October 17, the Ministry of Education is hoping to join Sri Lanka Cricket and the Sri Lanka School Cricket Association and the Main sponsor of School Cricket Singer Sri Lanka will also be in attendance. 

“Right now the most important thing is to make the game viable to those schools which are engaged in the game. Firstly, we are going to take note of the schools that can afford to stay in the game for instance – with the facilities fees, the help of the old boys associations and others. The schools which can afford to stay in the game will remain. We are concerned about those schools who are already in the game, but, finding it difficult to stay afloat. 

“We are trying to find ways of helping these schools through the Ministry of Education. At the same time we are also trying other ways and means to help them. For instance we could seek help provincially. A school in Matara could get a mercantile establishment in that area to sponsor that school. At the same time the talented children who are engaged in cricket within a five-mile radius could be shifted to the main centre. In that way there could be more controlled growth in the school cricket system. The children will remain in their own environment and at the same time be playing better cricket.” 

He also said a limited number of schools also could take up to play junior cricket and they could graduate into the main hubs if they are talented. 

Jayaweera also said most of the other new schools will be encouraged to take up softball cricket, but, have ways and means of spotting talent there too. 

“In that manner we are hoping that there would be controlled growth in school cricket. I believe that we need to develop the game of cricket in the country because it is the one portal that would enable us to be partners of progress in the most successful sport in the country. But, right now it has gone a little haywire and it is yet not too late to bring it back to manageable levels.” Jayaweera said in conclusion.