Youth players rewarded by Sri Lanka Cricket
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Addressing the young ricketers at the ceremony held to recognise the Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket squad
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) rewarded and recognised 26 players of the national Under-19 squad, currently undergoing training focusing on the upcoming inbound tours, the Under-19 Asia Cup and the ICC Under-19 World Cup.
The players were given financial assistance of Rs. 100,000 each for the commitment shown for the game by the youngsters since identifying them through an island-wide Talent Hunt Programme conducted by SLC.
“During our playing era, we did not have adequate facilities and playing opportunities to enhance our game. However, things have changed now, as SLC is working tirelessly to provide the best of facilities for our cricketers to prosper and progress to the next level,” said Ravin Wickramaratne, the Vice President of SLC, whilst handing over the monetary recognition to the players.
Ravin Wickramaratne
“You were selected to the Under-19 squad out of a talent hunt programme SLC conducted across the island covering every district and province, and I urge you to use this opportunity and progress to the national level,” Wickramaratne added, when addressing the players.
The 26 players who were recognised, completed a 22-day Residential Training Camp on September 29, which was held at the SSC Colombo in a Bio-Bubble environment.
Ashley de Silva, the CEO of SLC, Tilak Wattuhewa, the President of Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association, Tim McCaskill, the Head of National Cricket Development of SLC and Chinthaka Edirimanne, the Head of Domestic Cricket of SLC, were present during the handing over of the assistance to the players.
The junior national selectors picked the 26-member squad out of the 75 players, selected via an island-wide Talent Profiling Programme conducted by SLC, with school cricket being out of action for almost two years since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Members of the SL U-19 cricket squad
SLC Vice President Ravin Wickramaratne (left) having a casual chat with the members of the SL U-19 squad