Yatiyana CC win Colombo leg of Mini World Cup

Yatiyana and Matugama Cricket Clubs fought off competition from 121 teams to be crowned winners and runners up respectively, of the Colombo leg of The Mini Cricket World Cup and in doing so have taken a step closer to an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of facing a team of World Cup winning stars.

Given the large number of teams that participated, it was also decided that third and fourth place victors, Borella SC and Rathanapitiya XR would also qualify for the Grand Finals.

The Mini Cricket World Cup knock-out, six-a-side, soft ball tournament is just one part of a number of promotional activities undertaken by the ICC, in the lead up to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

The action commenced with a friendly encounter between members of Sri Lanka Cricket and a bevy of local celebrities from the world of song including household names such as Iraj, Dushyanth, Chillie, Chinthy and Krishan.

The excitement was further heightened as the official ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 trophy arrived at the grounds to a warm welcome from both players and officials.

Yatiyana and Matugama Cricket Clubs outplayed their opponents displaying true skill and mastery as they inched themselves one step closer to the chance of playing against the legends of the 1996 World Cup winning, Sri Lanka Cricket Team.

Commenting at the opening ceremony, Tournament Director, Suraj Dandeniya, said, "Sri Lanka has been blessed with the opportunity to host the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and the new stadia and facilities that will be in place will not only ensure a fun and exciting tournament, but will also serve as a spring board for both urban and rural cricketing talent to leap onto the national stage."

The first leg of this tournament was held in Hambantota where Galle United and Deberawewa SC claimed victory. The Hill Capital Kandy played host to the second leg that witnessed Katugastota SC and Slimline Pannala also qualify for the Grand Finals.

The Grand Finals will witness the winning teams of the first three legs (Hambantota, Kandy and Colombo) facing up to each other in Colombo, on the 8 January 2011 at the Sport's Ministry Grounds in Torrington, with the eventual winner taking on a squad comprising veterans of Sri Lanka's ICC Cricket World Cup 1996 winning team.

The Mini Cricket World Cup promises a great family day out with plenty of activities for kids, complemented by food stalls and entertainment.

The Mini World Cup is part of a comprehensive community program that is being delivered by the ICC and its partners at the ICC Cricket World Cup, which includes the Think Wise campaign, a joint partnership between the ICC, UNAIDS, UNICEF and the Global Media AIDS Initiative that has been running since 2003. The initiative aims to raise awareness around HIV prevention and eliminate discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS.