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by Bernard Perera

The Sri Lanka softball cricket Federation held its first press briefing to announce the sponsorship for their biggest event which has reached its second stage. Unilevers have come forward to sponsor the two innings softball cricket championship which has attracted 100 teams from all districts of the island said Major N. Mahavithana, Tournament Secretary at the press briefing, speaking further he said the sponsors offered the Lifebuoy Gold Trophy and a cash award of Rs. 50,000 to winners of the tournament while the first runner up gets Rs. 25,000 and the two losing semifinalists will be awarded with Rs. 10,000 he said. This is a big boost to a sport which caters to majority of the masses he added.

Softball cricket is played by everyone in this country. There in no age barrier or class for this game. Even our national cricketers got to the game of cricket by playing softball cricket in their young age said Mahawithana pointing out Roshan Mahanama who was present on the occasion. He quarried why Mahanama is here; and said that it is to prove that softball cricket needs recognition.

This is the first occasion that we found a sponsor for a major tournament. Our Federation is in existence for over 20 years, we managed to take India once. We intend forming a national pool. The players from all districts will form the pool he said.

Mrs. Ramani Samarasundera who represented the sponsors Unilevers said that her company is a multi national company which caters to the respective countries according to its needs. It gives prominence to its consumer necessities and also takes special interest in promoting its consumers' welfare activities such as Health, sports and Education. These activities we consider as our service to our customers she added.

In Sri Lanka Unilevers undertook to sponsor Basketball under our Brand name "Lifebuoy". This time we took another step to join hands with softball cricket under the same brand as this sport caters to practically to all parts of the country. As such we think it is a better thinking towards getting closer to our consumers and in the meantime promote a sport for a better future she said. She thanked the softball federation for giving this most valuable opportunity to get to our consumers in a different way. Sudharman de Silva a vice president of the federation briefing the media on the going tournament said already 295 matches have completed. From these matches played on a district basis 24 teams have qualified to play in the second round.

The second round matches are due to commence in the second week of January. The 24 teams are divided in to four groups. This round will be on a league basis and two top teams in group will qualify for the quarters.

The final is scheduled for May 19, while the semi will be conducted on May 10. All these matches are to be played in Colombo. The Venue for the final is yet to be decided, he said. He also noted that as it is played with a softball, a total of 140 overs to be bowled in a day enabling both sides to face two innings he said.

K. Peter Silva who presided at the press briefing requested all media to support Federation as it needs publicity to promote the game. without publicity the game does not go a long way.

The Federation is sure to give the sponsors their mileage and are sure to attract more sponsors for the betterment of the game he said.

The following teams will participate in the second round. Thalapathpitiya National S.C., Kaduwela Deepthi S.C., Maharagama S.C., Soysapura Kent S.C., Blue Stars S.C., Lake Road S.C., Sri Maura S.C., Army S.C., Nathuduwa United S.C., Pioneer S.C., Pubudu S.C., Welisara S.C., Rangers S.C., Sathara S.C., Mahawewa S.C., Eurption S.C., Lords S.C., Isbulla S.C., Sinha S.C. Anuradhapura, Eastern Eagle S.C., Sadella S.C., Instant S.C., Padalangala Maura S.C., Sinha S.C., Balangoda. 

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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