Sports

Sports

Schools age limit revised to Under-20
By Bernie Wijesekera
On an appeal made to President Chandrika Kumaratunge who is also the Minister of Education, by Jayantha Seneviratne and a host of other prominent cricketers, to amend the existing age group (under-19 to 20) has borne fruit. A joint letter of appeal made by past national cricketers and prominent coaches - states that the present age limit has not helped in the development of cricket compared to other disciplines namely, athletics, boxing, rugby, wrestling etc. The student is eligible to sit for the A/L twice depending on the results of the first sitting.

Imagine a talented cricketer- a future prospect is debarred from continuing his school cricket career due to the prevailing regulation (Under-19). Despite being allowed to be in school, according to Circular 94/1 of Jan 3rd, '94, the appeal specifically requests to do away with one-day limited over tournaments and extend it to two day or one-day friendly games. Limited overs cricket at juvenile level has had no desired effects.

According to Seneviratne, President Kumaratunga as the Minister of Education directed Education Ministry hierarchy - headed by the Director of Sports, additional Secretary and other senior officials invited Seneviratne and the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association for a discussion. After studying the pros and cons issued a Circular (Ed/L/15/2/2/85) dated March 28, 2005 - that future First XI cricket will be Under-20 not U-19.

Other signatories to this appeal, are Roger Wijesurya, Russel Hamer, Champaka Ramanayake, Bandula de Silva, USC Perera, Keerthi Gunaratne A.J. Samarasekera, Hemal Mendis, Rohitha Perera Hemantha Devapriya, Leslie Narangoda and Susantha Karunaratne.

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