34th Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year today:

SHOW of shows to honour award winning SCHOOLBOY CRICKETERS

A galaxy of top performers and entertainers, include world-renowned Bhathiya and Santhush, will add colour to the 34th Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the year mega awards presentation to be held at the Grand Ballroom of the Galadari Hotel, Colombo commencing at 6 p.m. today.

Besides B n S, the other top entertainers lined up to spice up the memorable evening are Dushyanth Weeraman (dedunna wage), Umaria (Price tag), Voice Print (Gayu Gee), Uditha Sanjaya (Adare Hithenawa Dekkama), Anthony Surendra (Kolaveri) and Nilukshi Jayaweerasingam (Alegra).

It will be a memorable day for the country’s outstanding schoolboy cricketers who have performed exceptionally well during the later inter-school first X1 season. Interestingly, such performer during the 1989/ 1990 season will grace the Mega Show as the Chief Guest.

Former Sri Lanka captain and the current batting coach of the national team, Marvan Atapattu will return to the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year stage, exactly 22 years after he won that prestigious award way back in 1990.

It has been customary for the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest awards show to invite a celebrated former winner as the chief guest each year and Atapattu will return to the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year stage after Ranjan Madugalle, Sidat Wettimuny and Muttiah Muralitharan gracing the series as chief guests in recent years.

The principal sponsor of the most prestigious event in school cricket is Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, the national mobile service network. Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena will be the Guests of honour, along with Secretary to the Ministry Mass Media and Information, Charitha Herath and Director General of Sports, Ranjani Jayakody.

Many leading Sri Lanka cricketers have commended the feats of the Sunday Observer in recognizing top schoolboy cricketers since 1978/79 – the in which former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle became the first ever recipient of the prestigious award. Here what the past cricketers have said on the Mega Show:

ICC Chief Match Referee and former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle:

The Sunday Observer should be complemented for keeping the show going for all these years. Sponsors are essential to keep the show going. May the show continue for many years to come. In the past, most of the winners of the top awards came from Colombo and its suburbs, but now, the outstation schools have come in a big way and it is a positive sign for the game.

Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga MP:

It is the dream of any schoolboy cricketer to win the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award. It’s great for the Sunday Observer in continuing the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest for nearly three-and-a-half decades to encourage the budding schoolboy cricketers. I was particularly happy to see that the Northern Province joining up with the others.

Former Sri Lanka captain Anura Tennekoon:

Competitions such as the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Show gives great encouragement and motivation for the schoolboy cricketers. Organising a show of this nature by the Sunday Observer for over three decades is no doubt a laudable achievement.

Former Sri Lanka captain and ex-Chairman of Selectors Duleep Mendis:

The Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of The Year showpiece is an incentive for the young players who are hoping to reach the zenith in cricket at school level which is described as the cradle of cricket in this country. During my time and even before our standard of school cricket was rated as the best in the World and it was a great challenge, everything was well organized.

Former Sri Lanka Captain Santh Jayasuriya MP:

The Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the event has inspired many schoolboy cricketers for over three decades. Dedication, discipline, commitment and hard work are the key to success not only for a successful cricket career but also in one’s day-to-day life.

Sri Lanka cricket captain, Mahela Jayawardene:

It was a much look forward to the event during my school cricket career at Nalanda College and it is a contest which has benefited many cricketers. It’s a show that acknowledges school cricketers efforts and brings out the best in them. It is a great event as we all enjoyed going for the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer at awards night as schoolboys and I am sure, still those young schoolboys would love to go for that kind of event, where they get the opportunity to see the glamour as well as recognition for their good work.

ICC Match Referee and Former Sri Lanka captain Roshan Mahanama:

It is a remarkable event that gives due recognition to the deserving schoolboy cricketers and inspire them for their future challenges.

Sri Lanka team’s batting coach and former Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu:

Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year show inspires players and indicate them here they stand. It conveys the message that who have a future in the sport. A strong panel of umpires picked the winners during our time. Most of them had officiated in school matches and seen the players physically in action. That’s why most of the winners have reached the top level. I hope that trend will continue in the future.

Former Sri Lanka fast bowler, Chaminda Vaas:

This contest will no doubt give the hard working schoolboy cricketer the confidence they need for their future endeavours during their march towards national recognition.

ICC Elite Panel Umpire and former Sri Lanka cricketer Kumara Dharmasena:

It was commendable for the Sunday Observer to conduct the show for over three decades. We should also commend the sponsors. Without sponsorship, there cannot be such huge success.

Former Sri Lanka opener Romesh Kaluwitharana:

The foundation laid by talented schoolboy cricketers will be further consolidated by conducting contests like the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year as these contests will give the necessary confidence for the player to go up the ladder of success.

Manager of Sri Lanka team and former Sri Lanka cricketer Charith Senanayake:

It was a great privilege for any schoolboy to take part in the much looked forward Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year event. As a schoolboy, this type of recognition is bound to inspire a cricketer’s career. Sri Lanka may be the only country which continuously recognises the schoolboy cricketers in a such a big way by organising many shows.

Sri Lanka cricketer Thilan Samaraweera:

The zenith of a schoolboy cricketer is winning the Schoolboy Cricketer award or any other prize at this prestigious ceremony held annually with the completion of the school cricket season. The Sunday Observer and the sponsors of the show have done a fine job in promoting the game which has produced a number of top class players.