Shamal Gunawardene –Country Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Limited, Aravinda de Silva - Administrator, Coca-Cola Cricket Pathways, and Shantha Fernando, Marketing Operations Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives, Coca-Cola Far East Limited were present to launch the Super Camp and wish the players.

The Coca-Cola Cricket Pathways provide a platform for young cricketers from across the country to showcase their talent and learn cricketing skills from some of the country’s top coaches and past cricketers.

Through a series of 20 competitive matches, the 60 participants were placed in four separate groups to ensure that they play a minimum of three matches each and receive optimal exposure. Adhering to international standards, the Super Camps are conducted in the form of limited-over matches, and provide participants with the opportunity to play competitively against the best young cricketers from across the island including many of Sri Lanka’s most rural areas under the supervision of the national coaches and national junior selectors.

 A wealth of expertise is provided at the camps via specialized training in all aspects of the game, including batting, bowling, fielding, wicket keeping and specialized physical fitness training methods. Most importantly, how to develop mental strength which is one of the most important aspects of the game. Additionally the recognition the young cricketers received at the camps, enabled them to build their confidence and harness their full potential.

The cricketers receive guidance; intense, practical training and a report to help their own school coaches further develop their skills.

The Coca-Cola Cricket Pathways programme was launched in 2008 to help identify and train aspiring young cricketers at a grassroots level, grooming them to play at a professional level and even for the Sri Lankan national team.(KH/SI)