Rural schools given equal opportunities in cricket

Priyan de Silva Matara Daily New sports correspondent

"Cricket is known as the gentleman's game". It was confined to a few affluent schools in the cities in years gone by. After Sanath Jayasuriya of

St Servatius College, Matara stamped supremacy in the cricket arena, the game took root in village schools.

By building international cricket stadiums in remote Sooriyawewa and Pallekele President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken positive action to give the rural lads an equal opportunity to rise to the pinnacle of the game.

I hope players from these two schools will represent the nation in World Cup matches in the future.

I was happy to read in a newspaper last week that a rural school like Karandeniya Maha Vidyalaya humbled the mighty S Thomas', Mt Lavinia team at a game which has been played for centuries in that school.

It shows that the President's vision is paying dividends.

I call upon you to maintain the traditions of the game, maintain discipline and build an eternal relationship between the two districts of Matara and Hambantota through this game between Vijitha Central College and Rajapaksha Central College, the two sports schools of these districts.

Please maintain the honour and dignity of your alma mater at all times," said Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Dullas Alahapperuma who was the guest of honour at the start of the 2nd big match between Vijitha Central College, Dickwella and Rajapaksha Central College being played at the Vijitha Central College grounds in Dickwella on Sunday and Monday.