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| Saturday, 31 July 2004 |
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The birth of Sri Lanka's first Cricket Academy by Richard Dwight The 'Fast Tracking Training Centre' (FTTC) of the Sri Lanka Max Cricket Academy (MCA) at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, strikes one as an innovative exercise to be an altogether new concept in training here. For the reason that those not faring well (Specifically fledglings and debutantes) in the Sri Lanka national side and 'A' team, could be referred to the FTTC to get over a setback or reverse, improve their skill, rectify an error or, even sort out a problem or two, under the guidance of accredited specialists. And so after appropriate remedial action, these cricketers could again rejoin their respective pools, be it of the national side or the 'A' team. The Manager - Development Sri Lanka Cricket, Jerome Jayaratne, who is also the head coach of MCA, is highly enthusiastic of the prospects of the FTTC, and feels that it's a farsighted step in the right direction. The FTTC is operative two days in the week, which includes net sessions and skill training, from 2.30 P.M. to 5.00 P.M. It will also accommodate a talented, independent individual, if the SLC selectors so direct and, also be open to Junior National teams and prospective players of associate and affiliate countries. This, whilst making the FTTC a viable venture, will in addition assist, to make it an on-going squad, with cricketers leaving after training and fresh trainees joining in for assistance. A commendable approach indeed, and a new dimension in helping budding national cricketers, at the MCA. The MCA to those who do not know, had its origin through an Indian company called Sony Max. It was this company, that funded the Cricket Board for the entire construction of this very impressive cricket training centre at Khettarama, which is now a little over a year old, was opened on the 29th of May 2003 by the then Minister of Sports, Johnston Fernando, under the Interim Presidency of Hemaka Amarasuriya. While the FTTC of the MCA, is committed in serving the cause of a set of cricketers, in need of cementing their places by performing well at the highest level of the game - the main thrust and emphasis of the MCA however is, the imparting of specialized coaching and training, to handpicked talented cricketers with much promise, through its residential camp program. Those eligible for training at the MCA residential training camp, are cricketers who have performed well for their respective schools, and have just left same, inclusive as well of those who have been highly successful in the under 23 cricket tournament, and are between the ages of 18 to 23. Since the MCA presently has provision and facilities for twenty, these 20 trainees are chosen by the SLC selectors, headed by Ashantha De Mel. These 20 cricketers will be under training in the camp for 5 to 6 months within the year and, will be permitted to go to be in their respective homes on Saturdays and Sundays and, perhaps participate in the domestic cricket tournaments. The trainees during their period at the MCA, will have access to 19 out door turf pitches, attended by curator Subash Gunewardene, under the guidance of national curator Anuradha Polonowita. They will be assisted by bowling Machines, bowling speed gun, which measures speed and a Gymnasium. In addition there is a lecture room with multimedia facilities, a dining-room and air conditioned rooms with all amenities for 20 trainees. The assistance rendered to trainees at the MCAs residential training camp are as follows. 1. Intricate precise guidance in the running between wickets - dealing with circumstances where the batsman runs himself out, or the batsman is run out by his partner, or the fielder through his ingenuity runs the batsman out. 2. Through net sessions, when batting you keep simulating match requirements, bowlers also benefiting having to vary line and length. 3. Introducing the intensive reversed repetitive stroke play, where they need to work on their batting drills. 4. Discussions and deliberations supported through video analyzing facilities available in the audio visual room and lecture hall, is a regular feature. Assistance in the art of bowling fast is given by Champaka Ramanayake, batting is looked after by Hemantha Devapriya, while Ruwan Kalpage helps out with the fielding, with visiting lectures too, addressing the trainees on relevant topics. It was gathered from the Manager Administration MCA, Ronnie Guneratne, that with the trainees being off on Saturdays and Sundays, the duration of the stay of trainees at the residential training camp vary from 22 to 24 weeks. A day in the life of a trainee, commences with waking up at 6.00 A.M. and retiring to bed at 10.00 P.M. In between, time is set apart for breakfast, lunch and dinner and interspersed through the weeks are the batting, bowling and fielding sessions - with workouts at the army training camp at Ganemulla, Physical training at the MCA Gymnasium, cardio vascular breathing exercises and swimming, to make it ever so elaborate. But by far what seems to be most heartening to be timely, is the classes conducted by those accredited - in Yoga, English, Psychology, Sports Medicine, Banking, Computer and Umpiring - quite a comprehensive training program indeed, at the Max cricket academy. Prominent amongst the batch of 20 that underwent training last year were, Lasith Malinga, Shan Wijeratne, Jeevan Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekere and S. Gallage. The MCA is gearing itself to handle yet another 20 this year. Jayaratne's view is that the Sri Lanka Max Cricket Academy, could be referred to as the hitech performance centre, on line with the Australian and Pakistani Cricket Academies. Jayaratne should know what he is talking about, since he is a highly qualified coach, having achieved the ACB levels 3 & 2, ECB level 2 and also being seconded to the International Cricket Council London, for a period of six months. According to him the net session training systems have changed and, that we need to accept change, because we cannot carry on with the old system, and have to therefore keep with the modern trends in a game, that is moving rapidly. He strongly feels the need to invest on modern technology, with regards to coaching aids with Computer software and the like, if we are to compete with the very best in the World. This apart, Jayaratne's aim for the MCA is (a) to have a fully equipped Indoor cricket centre, with modern technology (B) lighting to be installed simulating 'Day Night' atmosphere for the outdoor (C) an upto date cricket library. All this is well and good, but what is required as the years unfold, is that the year old MCA, will be so sustained and maintained to enjoy continuity. |
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