Young Cricket Stars Shine at Sri Lanka's School Cricket Gala
The future of Sri Lankan cricket looks bright as young talents were celebrated at the prestigious Sri Lanka Cricket awards ceremony held at the BMICH last week. The event, a testament to the country's rich cricketing heritage, honored outstanding performances across various categories in school cricket.
Dinura Kalupahana of Mahinda College, Galle, emerged as the crown jewel of the boys' category, clinching the coveted School Boy Cricketer 2024 title. Kalupahana's exceptional all-round abilities didn't go unnoticed, as he also bagged the best all-rounder award. Already making waves in the cricket world, Kalupahana captains the National Under-19 team and has earned a spot in the Sri Lanka A squad, showcasing his immense potential.
In the girls' category, Vishmi Gunarathne of Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha, continued her reign of dominance. Gunarathne secured the School Girl Cricketer 2024 title for an impressive third consecutive year, along with the best batter award. Her absence from the ceremony, due to national duty at the Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE, speaks volumes about her rapid ascent in the sport.
The awards ceremony recognized excellence across various facets of the game. Pulindu Perera of Dharmaraja College was honored as the best batsman, while Vishwa Lahiru from Sri Sumangala Panadura claimed the best bowler title. St. Benedict's College's Sharujan Shanmuganathan proved his fielding prowess, earning the best fielder award in the boys' category.
In the girls' division, Sashini Gimhani of Devapathiraja clinched the best bowler award, while Manudi Nanayakkara from Princess of Wales College showcased her versatility by winning both the best fielder and best all-rounder titles.
The event distributed a total of 109 individual and team awards, underlining the depth of cricketing talent in Sri Lankan schools. Notably, several award winners from the girls' category, including Vishmi Gunarathne, Sashini Gimhani, and Manudi Dulansa Nanayakkara, were absent due to their commitments with the national team in Dubai and Australia. Their parents and team members proudly accepted the awards on their behalf, highlighting the increasing opportunities for women in cricket at the highest level.
The ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva and national team fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, who presented awards to the young cricketers. Their presence added gravitas to the event and served as an inspiration for the budding stars.
As these young cricketers bask in their well-deserved recognition, the cricket community eagerly anticipates their future contributions to the sport. With such a promising crop of talent, Sri Lankan cricket seems poised for an exciting era ahead.
Sri Lanka's Young Cricket Talents Honored at Prestigious Awards Ceremony
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Awards Ceremony, a celebration of emerging cricket talent, recently took place with great fanfare, showcasing the bright future of the sport in the island nation. The event was graced by a distinguished panel of officials, including SLC Vice President Ravin Wickramaratne, CEO Ashley de Silva, and Ministry of Sports Secretary K. Maheshan, among others.
In the girls' category, Vishmi Gunarathne from Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya stole the spotlight, clinching both the Best Batter award and the prestigious School Girl Cricketer of the Year title. Her exceptional performance underscores the rising prominence of women's cricket in Sri Lanka.
Other standout performers in the girls' division included Sashini Gimhani from Devapathiraja, who was named Best Bowler, and Manudi Nanayakkara from Princess of Wales College, who impressed with her versatility by securing both the Best Fielder and Best All-rounder awards.
The boys' category saw fierce competition, with Dinura Kalupahana from Mahinda College emerging as the School Boy Cricketer of the Year. Kalupahana also claimed the Best All-rounder title, cementing his status as a rising star in Sri Lankan cricket.
Pulindu Perera from Dharmaraja College showcased his batting prowess to win the Best Batter award, while Vishwa Lahiru Kumara from Sri Sumangala Panadura demonstrated his bowling skills to secure the Best Bowler title. St. Benedict's College's Sharujan Shanmuganathan was recognized for his agility in the field, winning the Best Fielder award.
The ceremony also honored outstanding school teams across various divisions:
In the U19 Division One (Tier-A), Richmond College, Galle, claimed the championship, with Trinity College, Kandy, as runners-up.
St. Peter's College, Colombo, triumphed in the U19 Division One (Tier-B), with Lumbini College, Colombo, securing the runner-up position.
The U19 Division Two (Tier-A) saw a unique outcome with joint champions: Tissa Central College, Kalutara, and Sri Sumangala College, Panadura.
Maris Stella College, Thimbirigaskatuwa, emerged victorious in the U19 Division Two (Tier-B), with Royal College, Panadura, as runners-up.
This comprehensive recognition of talent across multiple categories and divisions reflects SLC's commitment to nurturing cricket at the grassroots level. The awards ceremony not only celebrated individual brilliance but also acknowledged the collective efforts of school teams in fostering a competitive and thriving cricket ecosystem.
As these young cricketers bask in their well-deserved accolades, the cricket community eagerly anticipates their future contributions to the sport. With such a promising array of talent across both genders and various skill sets, Sri Lankan cricket appears poised for an exciting era of growth and success.
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