Action Sports indoor cricket in progress

Yasaratne GAMAGE

The Open Indoor Cricket Tournament 2012 organized by Action Sports together with the Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association (CICA), commenced recently. Fifteen teams are battling it out for supremacy including two regional teams, Kurunegala Cricket Association and Kegalle with 13 teams from Colombo.

The tournament is in progress in the league format of three groups with the top two teams moving on to a "Super League" play off while the top four will go into semi finals. The 2011 season ended successfully where the Indoor Cricket National Team was ranked fourth at the World Indoor Cricket Championships.

The organizers, Action Sports have made arrangements to strengthen their partnership with the CICA to face lift indoor cricket environment there by opening wider opportunities for emerging players and teams.

"It is encouraging to see the growing interest in the sport and I am personally delighted with the manner in which the game has continued to gain interest.

It is our aim to build on this start for the year and continue with a view of positioning ourselves in time for the World Indoor Cricket Masters Tournament, which is due to be held in Sri Lanka in October 2013" said CICA president and Minister of Indigenous Medicine Salinda Dissanayake .

"We look forward to contributing positively towards the countries economy by encouraging overseas participation and thereby help to boost the already booming tourism industry in Sri Lanka" the minister added.

Action Sports Managing Director Shohrab Salman expressing his views on the status of indoor cricket said that they are absolutely excited about the prospect of continuing their partnership with CICA to promote Indoor Cricket and taking the Sport to a whole new level.

"Our sole aim will be to promote this game in a very professional manner and help CICA in its endeavors to meet the required standards of the World Indoor Cricket Federation (WICF), in local and International participation, Shohrab added. Sri Lanka is preparing for the upcoming Indoor Cricket Masters World Cup in 2013 and have put together an extensive plan including tournaments and development program for coaches and umpires with a view of fielding some competitive sides to represent the country at the World Cup next year. This major event will be under taken for men and women in age groups of 30 and above, 35 and above, 40 and above and 45 and over.