MCA tourneys to commence tomorrow

YASARATNE GAMAGE

The 18th annual Singer - MCA Premier 'League, Knock-out, and T20 tournaments will get under way from December 19 and conclude on January 22, 2011. This was officially announced at a media briefing held at the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) premises last Wednesday. All national players will be in action during this tournament.

The tournament, commenced in 1994 is sponsored by Singer Sri Lanka PLC for the 18th successive year. The tourney starts off with only the League matches and later added the Knock-out series in 2002 . Singer Sri Lanka has also taken over sponsorship of the T20 series too this year.

In the T20 the team line up it is the same except for Seylan Bank who are replaced by ETI.

The T20 which was to take place on November 26 has been postponed due to bad weather and according to the organizing committee the new dates will be decided later.

Singer Sri Lanka PLC Marketing Director Nasser Majeed handed over the sponsorship for all three segments to MCA President Mahesh Wijewardene.

Sampath Bank will play against HNB at BRC on December 19 in the opening encounter, while Seylan vs Janashakthi taking place at Oval and John Keells are playing with Unichela at Colts on the same day. The league stage goes on until January 9 consisting of 21 matches. The five Knock-Outs are to be held on January 12 and 15 at Thurstan College ground, Oval, Colts and NCC grounds. The final of the knock out tourney is scheduled for January 22 at the Oval.

The seven teams participating in the league and knockouts tournament are: Sampath Bank 'A', Janashakthi 'A', MAS Unichela (Pvt) Ltd, Hatton National Bank 'A', John Keells Group 'A', Seylan Bank 'A', MAS Active Synergy.