The Under 15 Inter District/ Provincial Cricket Tournament will commence this week and will feature players from all around the country and be empowered by Prima for the ninth successive occasion.
Speaking at the press conference, President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Sidath Wettimuny applauded the gesture shown by the Prima in sponsoring the under 15 tournament and mentioned that Sri Lanka’s future in the sport lies in the under 15 format. Accordingly, this tournament can be nurturing grounds for prospective national talent.
A total of 32 teams will participate in the tournament initially according to their respective districts comprising of teams from the North and East as well. Later, the top performers from the District teams will be selected for the 10 provincial teams who will later compete against each other for the Prima Champions cup.
In the past eight years in which the champions’ cup was active, the tournament had been the proving grounds for many cricketers who later went on to represent Sri Lanka in the sport. Players such as Niroshan Dickwella & Binura Fernando who are currently in the national squad had played the Champions cup in the past eight years. Also emerging players such as Kusal Mendis, Anuk Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrama who represent Sri Lanka in the under 19 segment were also a part of the tournament few years back.
Adding a few words about the nine long year partnership of Prima with Sri Lanka Cricket in empowering junior cricket, General Manager Mr. Shun TIen Shung mentioned that Prima continues to sponsor the cricket format in an effort to develop junior cricket in the country and hopes that it will make a positive impact towards its progress. In addition to the sponsorship, Prima will also be providing the teams with equipment and kits for the players.
The tournament will be played across the island and will later move towards Colombo in the final knock out games. The Prima Champions cup will undoubtedly be an energizer for the upcoming junior cricketers in the country and definitely be a tournament which will boost up their confidence and experience. The final encounter will be telecasted live on television.
