Gymnasiums at most International venues
Sri Lanka Cricket in its bid to broadbase the game will be equipping several of their International Stadiums with gymnasiums.
Speaking about the project SLC’s Interim Committee Chairman Sidath Wettimuny said “We are hoping to balance the gym facilities that we have. At the moment we have such facilities only at the Max Academy at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Within the next two and a half months gym facilities will be provided for the stadiums at Pallekele, Dambulla and Galle.
Wettimuny explained that this move is in keeping with the Zonal system that they have conceptualized. He said “Then the cricketers of those areas will also have access to the facilities which was only confined to Colombo. At the same time when there international games at these venues, even the respective players could make use of the facility”.
The SLC Interim Committee chairman also said that they have also drawn up the blueprint to build two indoor nets at Pallekele and Dambulla. “We have called for quotations for this project, I would be happy if we could launch the two programmes during our tenure so that whoever follows us into the administration could finish it for the benefit of Sri Lanka cricket”.
The Gym Project
Sri Lanka Cricket under the Vision 15/15 of the Interim Committee has been working on upgrading the Gym facilities for our National Cricketers in all of its International venues. This project is a vital aspect and will allow SLC to further develop the ‘Performance Environment’ of our National Cricketers. This project will also give the rural players opportunities to use the facilities at Zonal and District level in strength and conditioning in order to develop their ability to their highest level.
Below is a summary of what the project will entail:
R Premadasa Stadium: Refurbish and renovate the current facility to be a world class performance gym. This development will dramatically improve the quality of training for players who train from this venue as the main site (All National Team Programmes). The equipment, design of the gym and updated layout features will better cater for larger groups and allow for much more effective physical training/programming.
SLC gym at the Premadasa Stadium
P Sara Oval: The current equipment which is located at R Premadasa Max Academy will be relocated here. This will be a great upgrade for the P Sara Oval and help the national team with consistency of training when based here for training/test matches.
Galle Stadium: A New facility will be developed here. This will be a slightly smaller facility but will still have adequate equipment for up to 12 players to complete effective training. Again this helps all the national team programmes who train/play here and allows for consistency in physical work completed. This space is ready made to be fitted out and already has A/C, flooring, mirrors etc.
Pallekele Stadium: Same as Galle but does not have A/C or gym flooring so this will need to be addressed in due course.