Wednesday 10th September, 2008 Dolphins nab Prima Cup Under-15 Jayasuriya tourney to kick off in style by Reemus Fernando Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya will play for Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Over 400 aspiring cricketers from Africa’s domestic tournament start- twenty four districts across the country ing this October. filled a portion of the sun kissed R. ’s opening batsman Premadasa Stadium yesterday as the Sri Sanath Jayasuriya has signed an esti- Lanka Cricket and Prima combined to mated 190,000 USD two-year deal to play for the Nashua Dolphins, the South launch the Inter-District Under-15 African domestic team based in Natal, Cricket Tournament 2008. starting in November. Cricketers from as far as Vavunia, Jayasuriya confirmed early on Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Moneragala Tuesday that he had signed for the districts stood in unison with the rest of Dolphins, but was tight-lipped about the the district teams to sing the national financial side of the contract. anthem together after the national “I’m bound by my contract not to make any statements about the finan- flag,the SLC flag and the Prima flag were class barrier,” said Ranatunga, who also cial side of the deal,” the star player hoisted. It was followed by a spectacular praised the guidance given by President said. “All I can say is that I will play for opening ceremony where the Prima Cup Mahinda Rajapakse to take the game to the Dolphins and help change things was unveiled. The event was attended by every nook and corner of the country. around over the next two seasons.” a host of guests, including cricket icons “We are being pulled in different direc- Jayasuriya, who played in the recent Chaminda Vaas and Malintha tions. And we are persisting with our Sri-Lanka-India one-day series, will Warnapura (brand ambassadors of the efforts despite obstacles,” he added. arrive in Durban at the end of October with his wife, Sandra, and three chil- event) whose highlights in school cricket Meanwhile, Ranatunga also urged the dren, and will play for the Dolphins in were readout to inspire the young crick- young cricketers to be vigilant and have the one-day MTN Championship as well eters. their priorities right. “We are passing a Arjuna Ranatunga, the Chairman of the Interim Committee and as the Standard Bank Pro20 series. All young cricketers were given a crucial phase of time. We are at such a Malinda Warnapura, the brand ambassador of the event hold the glittering Prima But the 39-year-old, who played out- cricket gearbag by the sponsors followed time that some are even prepared even to Cup, which will be given to the winners of the Under-15 Inter District Tournament, standingly for the Mumbai Indians in by speeches by Arjuna Ranathunga, sell their parents for 30 pieces of silver. at the launch of the Tourney at R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday. They are flanked the lucrative Indian Premier League, is Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Be watchful don’t mix up your priori- by the representatives of the Prima Group. (Pic by Saranapala Pamunuwa) not a washed-up international player coming to soak up the Durban sun- Committee, Shun Tien Shing, General ties,” he urged. tournament’s Best Batsman Lakshitha ed a special award at the ceremony. shine. Manager Ceylon Agro Industries of It was also revealed that a develop- Madumal of Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya, “I’m coming - that’s a given,” he said Prima Group, D.S. de Silva, the ment project costing a whopping 134 mil- Trincomalee, who scored 240 not out in The Prima Cup Tournament will get from . “I still have a lot of Presidential Adviser on Cricket and a lion was coming up to upgrade and devel- 100 balls in an Inter School Under-15 underway today (10) with a card of six cricket in me. goodwill message by Susil Premjayantha, op the cricket infrastructure at school Division III match recently was present- matches. “I’m still part of the Sri Lankan one- Minister of Education readout by level. The project includes laying a turf day and the Twenty20 squads, hence I Premasara Epasinghe provided food for wicket in each district apart from provid- am coming to Durban with a goal: I Today’s fixtures want to transform the Dolphins into a thought to hundreds of youth who ing side wickets and cricketing gear. trophy-winning team. That’s my aim.” braved the sweltering sun for nearly two Ranatunga also hoped that the good Matale vs. Polonnaruwa at Stadium In the Indian Premier League, hours. foundation laid at this Under-15 tourna- Welagedara Stadium Kandy vs. Kegalle at Pallekele Prison Jayasuriya was a huge hit. He scored ment will help the young cricketers to Colombo South ‘A’ vs. Colombo North Ground 514 runs with a highest score of 114 not “Sons you are blessed today. Cricket come up with flying colours at future ‘A’ at Ananda College Badulla vs. Ampara at Badulla out (9x4s and 11x6s off 48 balls) against was a game of a certain class when we Under-19 World Cups and beyond. Galle vs. Matara at Galle Esplanade Esplanade Chennai Super Kings. He averaged 42.83 in the competition and his strike-rate played it. Today the game has broken the The last year’s Under-13 Prima Cup Vavunia vs. Trinco at was a massive 166.34. He struck a total of 57 fours and 31 sixes in the 14 matches. The former Sri Lankan captain has Junior South Asian Athletic Championship postponed played a record 421 one-day internation- als for his country,110 Tests and 28 by Reemus Fernando With Pakistan, Afghanistan, the uled to be held at the end of this month, the scheduled date,” Prema Pinnawala, Twenty20 Internationals. A delighted Yashin Ebrahim, the Maldives and Bangladesh finding it dif- coincided with Ramadan. “Several the secretary of the Sri Lanka Athletic Dolphins coach responsible for negotiat- The Junior South Asian Athletic ficult to send their athletes due to the countries found it difficult to send their Association told ‘The Island’ on ing the deal, said: “It’s a dream come Championship has been postponed due Ramadan season, the rest of the partici- athletes for the Junior Championship Tuesday. true for us at Sahara Stadium to the inability of several countries to pating countries have agreed to post- because of the Ramadan season. Sri “The Junior Championship will be Kingsmead. send their athletes because of the pone the championship. Lanka and India were the only coun- held late October or early November,” “He is still one of the best players of Ramadan season. The Junior Championship, sched- tries who were prepared to take part on he added. the shortened form of the game and he will no doubt add value to the Dolphins this season. “The fact that we have not won a tro- phy for a few years motivated Sanath to Veteran footballer’s funeral today make the trip to Durban. Reputed soccer player the head coach of the “He said he loves challenges and Dickson Silva who sacri- Colombo Football Club for would do his best to bring back the glory days and crowds to Sahara ficed his entire time and life some time. Stadium Kingsmead.” for soccer, died while he was Humble and soft spoken When asked how much the signa- participating in the Dickson was a good athlete. ture cost KwaZulu-Natal Cricket, the Veteran’s Athletic Meet on He has won many accolades coach responded: “I’m not allowed to divulge the figure but I can tell you it the final day at Sugathadasa in athletic events too. cost us a lot of money. Stadium on Sunday. He succumbed to a heart “But I believe we have spent money A popular name in local failure at the veteran’s athlet- in the right direction.” IOL soccer arena, Silva studied ic meet which ended on at Sri Pada College, Hatton Sunday at the Sugathadasa and entered the field in 1968 Dickson Silva Stadium. He had completed and led the Hatton Football League. his high jump event and was warming Later he played for Saunders SC who up for the next event, the triple jump, won the FA Cup championship on four when he collapsed with a heart attack. consecutive occasions. He was the babe He leaves behind his wife Shama and of the side then. sons Yasath and Damith. His remains While he was representing Saunders lie at No. 204, Rajamaha Vihara SC he played permanently for the Sri Mawatha, Kotte Road, Pitakotte. The Lanka Police team in 1983-84. funeral will take place today at Sri Lanka’s cricket team captain Mahela Jayawardena, left and fellow team mem- ber Ajantha Mendis, right, hold the trophy after a press conference a day ahead In 1985, he won the “best player” Talawatugoda Public Cemetery at 2.00 of the ICC Awards 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. award at the Colours Night. He was also p.m. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Wednesday 10th September, 2008