Towards this, a series of programs were held recently covering communities and schools in the Kalutara District.
The first program was held in the area of Nartupana, resulting in ‘Talent Scouts’ of the SLC identifying several potential young cricketers, who will be groomed through the Age Level District and Provincial Cricket to feed the National system.
In the meantime, two other programs were held separately at Saint Mary’s College, Beruwala, and Sri Gnanissara Maha Vidyalaya in Dharga Town, focusing on promoting cricket among Girls. Students of the Samudra Devi and Bandaranayake Colleges of Payagala also took part in the program.
Mrs. Apsari Tillakaratne, Convener of Women’s Cricket of Sri Lanka Cricket, explained the value of playing cricket and the gains the girls can derive both personally and professionally.
During the program, the girls were also shown a ‘Motivational Documentary’ on the journey traveled by former Women’s Team Test Captain Shashikala Siriwardena to make her mark in International Cricket.
Mr. Ravin Wickramaratne, Vice President of Sri Lanka Cricket, took part as the Chief Guest during the ‘Talent Hunt’ program, and present were Mr. Hashan Tillakaratne, former Sri Lanka Captain, who is now a Batting Coach at the High-Performance Center of the SLC.
The program was held under the initiative of the President of the Kalutara District Cricket Association, Mr. Prasanna Amarasekera, whilst Consultant Operations and Development of Women’s Cricket of Sri Lanka Cricket – Lt. Col. Manuja Kariapperuma, Secretary of the Western Province Cricket Association – Mr. Anura Weerasinghe, Coordinator of Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket – Mrs. Indrani Ariyaratna, Secretary of the Kalutara District Cricket Association – Mr. Dilran Abeysekera and Chairman of the Kalutara District Cricket Association’s Training Committee – Mr. Tissa De Silva also graced the occasion.
The Kalutara District Talent Hunt was conducted in line with SLC’s island-wide talent search, which is an ongoing program conducted to attract potential youth (girls and boys) into the game.
Source: Sri Lanka Cricket
