CEAT awards to recognize local cricketing talents

Bernard PERERA

A new era dawns for Sri Lankan Cricket with CEAT joining hands with Sri Lanka Cricket and Sri Lanka Cricketers Association to honour local cricketers with CEAT awards 2009.

This was revealed to the press at the briefing held at Taj Samudra yesterday.

"CEAT Cricket Awards ceremony is due to be held on October 30 at Waters Edge," said the Chief Executive Officer Narang.

He added that his company was the first to introduce the cricketers rankings at international level, and it felt the need to introduce the same to local cricket with a view to honour the players for their commitment for the sport in Sri Lanka.

This he said was not only to national players but to all involved in the game from the under 23 age group.

In addition there will be awards for women cricketers too.

The awards are expected to exceed 100 with Premier League. Tiers A & B, Premier League A & B Limited over, Sara Trophy, Sara Trophy Limited over players eligible for Awards.

There will also be special CEAT awards for Best Bowling and Best batting performances in Tests and ODIs the Best debutant/Emerging Player of the Year, the Best International Women Cricketer, and the Best Junior player of the year are to receive these awards.

A special panel will select the players for the above special CEAT awards. Meanwhile it was stated that for other awards the performances will be considered through out the season to find the recipients.

CEAT also have come forward to honour two personalities with lifetime awards for achievements and services rendered for the game.

The special feature of the CEAT awards will be the award presented to player who will be named as the CEAT Peoples Player of the year on the voting from the general public through SMSs.

Narang also said that his company hopes to continue this program which will be of high value to the players in Sri Lanka who dedicate their most valuable time and energy to keep the sport going while bringing glory to their motherland.

Kumar Sangakkara speaking said that he is thankful to the SLC and the Cricketers Association for joining hands with CEAT to honour the cricketers at the opportune time. He said that this kind of honouring never saw the limelight in the past.

With CEAT's appearance the cricketers will be highly benefitted and also the future too will be bright for Sri Lanka cricket.

CEAT's emergence is something that every Sri Lankan should be proud of as this turns a new chapter for the up and coming cricketers.

The cricket loving public will no doubt witness a new era, he added.

Nishantha Ranatunga the Secretary SLC thanked CEAT for coming forward with this new concept. Their experience in international arena too will be used for this program which sure to uplift the standards here, and assured the fullest co-operation in forging towards a better future for both parties.

Ravi Dadlani, General Manager Sales and Marketing CEAT, Graeme Labrooy Secretary, Sri Lanka Cricketers Association, Duleep Mendis CEO, SLC and Sujeeva Rajapaksa Treasurer SLC were also present on the occasion.