HSBC supports SSC

The domestic inter-club cricket season involving Premier Clubs in the country, had cricket enthusiasts captured during the latter part of December 2010. The dashing SSC team sponsored by HSBC who qualified for the semi's against NCC at the R. Premadasa grounds, entered into the final of the Premier Limited Over's Cricket Tournament, winning by 5 wickets (with 8 balls to spare).

The SSC team led by Kaushal Silva, comprized key national players Mahela Jayawardane, Dilhara Fernando, Thilan Samaraweera, Thilina Thushara, Dhammika Prasad, Tharanga Paranavithana, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Nuwan Zoysa and Thilina Kandambi. The opponents NCC was lead by national player Upul Tharanga and comprized other national players such as Kumar Sangakkara, Lasith Malinga, Jehan Mubarak, Chamara Kapugedera, Dinesh Chandimal and Fervez Mahroof.

The anticipated Premiere Limited Over final, which was abandoned much to the disappointment of cricket fans without a ball bowled due to bad weather, resulted in the SSC Premier Division I Cricket team and Colts been declared joint champions of the Tournament 2010/2011.

Besides a well contested tournament the performance of some of the players were outstanding. SS Pathirana of Colombo Cricket Club stood out as the player of the Tournament and Bowler of the Tournament, while the Chilaw Marians Mahela Udawatte who started off the season in style with 350 plus runs was no doubt Batsman of the Tournament.

This year's Premier Limited Over Tournament, comprized key national players giving fans an opportunity to witness club cricket in its best form. And, HSBC is honoured to be associated with the prestigious cricket club SSC that has a proud history of having produced some of Sri Lanka's greatest cricketers of all time.

HSBC's sponsorship of the SSC division 1 cricket team includes the Premier League and Premier Limited Overs Tournament and is to further promote the game among its patrons in the country.

Michael de Zoysa, Chairman - Cricket House Committee - SSC commented, "It is indeed a privilege for the Sinhalese Sports Club to be sponsored by HSBC as it brings together the best cricket club in the Island with the best Bank not just in the Island but arguably in the world. We hope that this partnership will go from strength to strength and that HSBC's support of the Club will lead to many more championship victories."

Former Sri Lanka and SSC captain Mahela Jayawardena who opened the batting for SSC said he was happy that the team was able to make it to the final but was disappointed that the match could not be played due to bad weather, whereby the trophy had to be shared with Colts CC.

He further stated, "I'm extremely proud that the most prestigious club in Sri Lanka is being sponsored by an international bank like HSBC and hope that this partnership will be a long lasting one.'

HSBC's association with the Singhalese Sports Club dates back to 2003, when the Bank provided the funding to build the "HSBC" Grand Pavilion. In 2008, the premises were further enhanced with an 'access for all' ramp to allow persons with reduced mobility enter the premises with ease.

In addition, the sponsorship will give HSBC the opportunity to host customers who are cricket enthusiasts for all club and international one day and test matches at the HSBC Grand Pavilion located at SSC.