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by - Richard Dwight

Ten years is a fair slice in the life of any institution, all this and more annually, was given unstintingly by Ceylon Cold Stores (CCS) as sole sponsors of the Old Wesleyites Sports Clubs (OWSC) Schools Six-a-Side Cricket Tournament. The tenth of which commences on Saturday October 12 and ends on Sunday 13 at the Wesley College grounds.

The 62 year old OWSC with the generous assistance of CCS, has done well to maintain this tournament without interruptions since its inception in 1993. Viewed in the context of Clubs managed by old boys of other schools, this sustained partnership between the OWSC and CCS, to score in the name and cause of school Cricket is, whilst being exemplary also a rare achievement indeed.

Since it is a landmark event in the annals of the Club, it does merit a brief narrative here. Right at the outset, without any reservation it must be said, that this tournament was the brainchild of former Wesley Cricketer, Eric Gauder, who is also a sports promoter, a radio and TV Commentator.

The thinking at that time, was that there should be a tournament with a difference. Unlike the league and limited over games conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association - it was to be a competition that will bring about 25 to 30 schools teams from different parts of the island, to converge on the Wesley College grounds for a duration of two days.

The main aim of this farsighted exercise was, whilst promoting healthy rivalry to also foster a spirit of camaraderie, bonhomie and afford opportunities for fellowship - especially with the young in mind from lesser known schools in the different district. For the OWSC held the view, that no longer is sports confined to the Urban areas only, but as well to the rural and village of our country. It is with this uppermost in mind that the Club sought to provide exposure for young cricketers, who will be the future stars of Sri Lanka.

Seen in all its entirety, it did not take long for the President of the OWSC, Prof. Mahroof Ismail and the Committee, with the all important financial assistance from Ceylon Cold Stores as sponsors, to appoint Gauder as the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the inaugural OWSC's Schools Six-a-Side Cricket tournament that was held on the College grounds on the 25th and 26th of September 1993. Daunting as the challenge was, members of the Committee spearheaded by Gauder and motivated by President Ismail rose to the occasion to relentlessly work in pursuit of success, which the tournament achieved in great measure to the satisfaction of all.

The salient features of this first ever tournament, was that it was meticulously planned and well executed. There were the billboards, buntings and banners that gave it a festive air, with the decorative school tents, which proved attractive enough. From the point of co-ordination, things were worked off in slick precision in keeping with a tight schedule, which was very salutary. The College prefects and the marshals looking ever so impressive, liaised with the teams and yet other officials on their walkie - talkies. There was no shortage for food and drink, with Elephant House chipping in, not forgetting the toilet facilities for the many who flocked on to the grounds. And to cap it all on the final day there was the colourful awards ceremony that witnessed the entire committee smartly dressed for the occasion.

There was undoubtedly much finesse and style in the way in which this major undertaking was executed.

Needless to say that it lifted the stature of both the Club, as well as the tournament, with Radio and TV coverage too. So much so that through the years, it has become a much looked forward to, increasingly popular event for many.

Heartening it was, that in the year 1994 a team from Maldives in Majeediya School came down to take part. It was touching as well, in keeping with the them 'Peace for all' that in 1998 with the help of the Army and Lion ir, three teams from the North/East in, a combined schools team from Jaffna, Methodist Central College from Batticaloa and R. K. M. Hindu College from Trincomalee were here to participate.

Two Principals of the College, viz. Dunstan Fernando and N A B Fernando, in accord with their respective periods of office, lent patronage to the tournament. The present principal M A P Fernando who is a keen promoter of Sports at Wesley, is a source of encouragement to the OWSC and is very supportive of the Six-a-Side Cricket competition. The Presidents of the OWSC, who were associated with the tournament during their tenure in office were Prof. Mahroof Ismail, Denzil Perera, Lucky Gunetilleke and Capt. Navin de Silva. The current President Tyronne Maye has been involved with this tournament from last year, in his official capacity. The Chairman of the Organising Committee from the inception of tournament in 1993 to the year 2000 was Eric Gauder. The present Chairman of the Organising Committee, is former Wesley Cricket Captain Sunil Fernando, who also steered last year's tournament as Chairman. Sunil also played cricket for the Colts Cricket Club and a Mercantile firm. He has sufficient experience in organizing Six-a-Side tournaments, having done so for the Tea Shippers tournament for quite some time.

Those who have assisted the tournament at different intervals from the Ceylon Cold Stores, the sponsors are M. D. Sumithra Gunasekera, Directors Billy Walpola, and Laksiri Wickremage Managers Nalin Jayasuriya, Ashan Wanduragala, Neil Samarasinghe, National Sales Manager.

Billy Walpola and Ashan Wanduragala, have been very keen followers of the progress made by the OWSC in relation to the tournament. The adjudicators at these competitions have been past Sri Lankan Cricketers, while the umpires doing duty have been picked from the panel of Sri Lankan Umpires.

The Champions at this year's tournament will receive the Lemonade trophy, with individual awards for eight members, while the runner-ups will be presented with individual awards for eight members. There will in addition be special awards for the Best Batsman, Best Bowler, Best Fielder and Man of the Tournament.

The past champions of this tournament winning the Lemonade Trophy were 1993 Royal, 1994 Kalutara MV, 1995 Thurstan, 1996 Nalanda, 1997 Prince of Wales, 1998 Nalanda, 1999 St. Josephs, 2000 Nalanda, 2001 Royal.

May this partnership between OWSC and CCS in the next ten years, be even more brighter than the past ten years.

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