Asian Cricket Academy and Stafford Motor's Search for Talent

BY RICHARD Dwight

THE cliche "Early bird catches the worm" does appear to be the intention and objective of the Asian Cricket Academy (ACA) - who in partnership with Stafford Motor Company Ltd, will be engaged in the much needed positive exercise of conducting an islandwide cricket talent search programme.

The aim of this novel concept, is to unearth talented Under 20 cricketers from schools and clubs from all parts of the country and, to provide them with modern hi-tech facilities to nurture them to become, the future cricketing stars of Sri Lanka.

This timely idea of 'Catch-em-young' is most opportune and a step in the right direction, considering the now downward trend of our senior cricketers at the international level.

Ambitious, thought not far-fetched this laudable project which, perhaps with time will be ongoing-has the active support and sponsorship of Stafford Motor Company Ltd., a company (which is an agent and sole distributor) for Honda Motorcycles and Honda Automobiles, is also the agent for Hero Honda Motorcycles addressing the media at the recently held launch of the project, at the Austasia International Sports Complex, the MD/CEO of Stafford, Dr. Kalinga Kaluperuma, said that the Hero Honda brand represents speed, Quality, Reliability Power, Durability and accurcy and, stressed that these qualities must be looked for in pace bowlers, to be selected through this programme.

He firmly felt that the project needs to be communicated to all areas of the island, in order to give equal opportunity to players, and so select the best.

The thinking behind this venture, according to the Executive Director ACA, Brendon Kuruppu, arise from the fact that there are many unearthed talented young quick bowlers in the country, who have not got the opportunity to go above certain levels, due to lack of facilities, opportunities, exposure and financial constraints.

The objective is to harness this talent and give these youngsters the guidance and the opportunity, to become quality fast bowlers.

Fast bowlers in the cricketing world, is not only about men running in from a long run up and delivering the ball at express speed, its all about bowlers who could bowl with pace and yet exhibit control and skill, which would mean that they could be economical and at the same time deliver the goods to expectations.

To achieve this, promising fast bowlers from schools and clubs at a young age, will be picked for cricket camps to be held in Dambulla, Kandy, Galle, Kalutara, Badulla, Gampaha and Colombo and will be trained and guided by knowledgeable coaches with much repute, in Rumesh Ratnayake, Milton de Silva, Brendon Kuruppu, Chandika Hathurusinghe, K. Gamini Perera and Sisira Handunge.

Ten players will be selected from each of the aforesaid venues, and the final 70 players will vie for the top 10 slot, who will be awarded the scholarship for the programme for a period of one years by the Stafford Motor Company Ltd.

If this commendable far - sighted programme be so sustained, with the seriousness it deserves - then there is reason to believe, that it will have the desired to believe, that it will have the desired effect on the country's cricket here.