Ananda-Zahira Friendship Cup cricket revived after 20 years
View(s):The Friendship Cup, a friendly cricket encounter played between Ananda and Zahira Colleges, Colombo will be revived after a lapse of 20 years. The limited overs cricket encounter will be played for the T.B. Jayah Trophy next Sunday at the Colombo Colts ground, under a party atmosphere.
The annual cricket encounter which was played between the two neighbouring schools of Maradana as a two-day game has not been played since 1994, due to unknown reasons. But it will come alive as a limited overs encounter where coloured clothing and the white ball will add glamour to the excitement.
This encounter was revived as after lengthy discussions took place between the Old Boys’ Cricket Wings of the two schools.
“This match is being hosted to build the bridge between two ethnic groups in the country and we have planned out many fun events during the day. The spectators will be treated to a very special attraction at the innings break when the Under-11 teams of both schools will be engaged in a 5-over per-side soft ball game. We hope the message will reach old boys of both schools all across the island, as their participation is considered highly important for the growth of this encounter in years to come,” Gihan Karunaratne, a member of the organising committee said.
This annual game with a difference interestingly will be played a week before Ananda, one of the teams, appear in their 85th Big Match encounter against traditional rivals Nalanda College. But the organisers were fully confident that followers of both schools, especially Ananda, will fill in the ground.
“It’s a game that has always been looked forward to in the past. And that instinct will make a comeback with new additions. It will be a great occasion to meet former players of both sides and share memories of the past, while looking forward for an exemplary cricket encounter in the years to come,” said Muttiah Devarajan, a former Zahira skipper who heads the cricket advisory board of his alma mater.
The Cricket Wings of Ananda and Zahira hopes to take this game forward as an annual encounter, to showpiece unity and fellowship between Sri Lanka’s leading Buddhist and Muslim schools. World Cup winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranarunga will grace the occasion as the chief guest while Imtiaz Bakeer Markar will be the guest of honour. The event is sponsored by Cargills Ceylon Ltd and Hameedias. – NA