Cricket introduced to Henanigala

S M Jiffrey ABDEEN Kandy Sports Correspondent

Sri Lanka Cricket broke new grounds when it took steps to introduce the once elite sport of cricket to the Vanniyela Atto land at Henanigala in Dehiattakandiya in the Ampara district recently.

This program was attended by the Vanniyela Atto Chief Uruwarige Wannila Atho who came all the way from Dambana, the two chieftains of the village of Henanigala, and from Sri Lanka Cricket, Manager (Coaching), Malcolm Perera, Uva Provincial Coach Chaminda Kodikara, district coaches Ajith Bandara, Kasun Maduranga de Silva, Muthubanda (Principal, Henanigala Vidyalaya) and Gamini Jayasinghe (cricket coach attached to Henanigala Vidyalaya) and a large number from the Vanniyela Atto community.

Vanniyela Atto Chief Uruwarige Wannila Attho said that cricket is gaining popular in the world and there is no reason why our children should not take to this popular sport. But at the same time they should preserve their identity and culture which had been preserved by them for hundreds of years despite civilization taking root everywhere. This is very important. We have heard that our contemporaries in other countries have participated at the highest level in Olympic Games. We must encourage these activities without any erosion to our culture. Manager Sri Lanka Cricket Malcolm Perera said that the idea to introduce cricket to unknown environs was the brainchild of the present Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket D Somachandra de Silva made a request we should introduce cricket to the Vanniyela Atto children and look for talents in that region. Strongly built children from that area having stamina and strength coupled with endurance could be made use if they make the grade. For this we must lay the foundation and provide with the necessary facilities and later look for results. Without providing these facilities we cannot achieve results.

He also requested us to provide the schools with cricket materials so that a start could be made in hard ball cricket. Malcolm Perera also said that it was D S de Silva as the Advisor to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on cricket, made arrangements to provide 400 schools with cricket equipment last year.

Venues were improved and new grounds were constructed and even schools were provided with practice wickets to improve their individual skills. This resulted in tremendous improvement in the standard of school cricket and many bowlers captured over 100 wickets and many batsmen scored 1,000 runs during the season. Most of all they displayed consistency in their performances which is more important than scoring a hundred in one match and failing in the next few matches.

A notable feature was cricketers from the outstation areas excelled thus emphasizing the objectives of Mahinda Chinthanaya's 'Gamata Kreedawa' (Sports to the Villages).

Malcolm Perera said that in Uva provincial cricket coach Chaminda Kodikara they are fortunate to have a young but experienced cricket coach who has played division one cricket, school cricket coach and district coach before being elevated to the position of provincial cricket coach.

While he will endeavour his best to impart to his charges his knowledge of cricket coaching, those undergoing training should display an eagerness to learn.