’Carlton Cup 2014’, Sri Lanka’s premier Basketball championship will commence on the 16th of August 2014. HSC Blues Basketball Club, the Sports wing of the Hambantota Sports Club in collaboration with Tharunyata Hetak will host the tournament for the sixth consecutive time this year.
The Carlton Cup is a popularly celebrated event in the Sri Lankan sporting calendar which has taken Sri Lankan inter-club Basketball to a whole new level. Over the years, the tournament has provided the youth of the country with a new platform to display their talents in Basketball. It is so far the best opportunity for amateurs as well as professionals in the game to master the sport, while show casing their talents to a larger audience.
The inaugural Carlton Cup was held in 2009. The organization has celebrated four years of success in annual Carlton Cup Basketball Championships with the participation of the best Basketball teams around Sri Lanka. This has also provided a good opportunity for the young and upcoming teams to showcase their talents. Over the years, the tournaments have witnessed awe-inspiring performances by players around the country who have exhibited true sportsmanship and great spirit in their performances. Moreover, the tournament has succeeded in bringing quality and professionalism to the game. As the participation and the interest of game has raised over the years, today, the championship stand tall as the premier sporting event of the local Basketball arena.
The Blues Basketball Club was founded on the 1st of September 2008 which currently comprises of three teams – Blues, Blacks and later on Melbourne Blues in Australia. The club has been carrying out various community outreach programs to benefit the athletes around the island. In addition, the club has taken much effort in felicitating those who have rendered a yeoman service to the sport. The Blues Basketball Club also assists in development of infrastructure necessary for uplifting the quality of Basketball in Sri Lanka. Overall, the club attempts to make Basketball the number one recreational sport in the country whilst building a Basketball subculture amongst the youth.
In 2013 Carlton Cup Championship Trophy, HSC Blues and Colombo Basketball Club battled for the “A” Division title where HSC Blues managed to grab the championship Club 64-61 at full time. Colombo ‘B’ beat Negombo Knights last year in the “B” Division finals 66-63 at fulltime. This year Carlton Cup 2014 Basketball Championship will be held for the sixth consecutive year with the participation of the most celebrated Basketball teams under two divisions from the 16th of August onwards.
