Guidance International School – rising in the arena of cricket
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The Under-13 team with the school officials
Merely after a decade since its formation Guidance International School, situated in Kesbewa, has been able to prove their worth as an educational institute for many reasons. With nearly 900 students in both genders, boys and girls, the school not only provides guidance to all students in academic, but also in extra-curricular activities, mainly sports.
The near success story comes from the Under-17 cricket team of Guidance International School, who have been able to maintain an unbeaten run in their second competitive season. With one match ending in a draw, Guidance International School recorded three back-to-back wins in the Inter-School Under-17 Division III segment, marking their presence and progress as a team to watch out.
Coached by Kapila Manohara, an experience cricket coach who earned the credit of guiding many young cricketers to the national level, including Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, Roshen Silva, Thisara Perera and many others from St. Joseph’s College Colombo, Guidance International School has eagerly exposed their intention at competitive level. Manohara is ably assisted by his understudy Dilshan Kadawathaarachchi, who is also a budding coach with a sound playing background.
The Under-13 cricket squad
“The school has two age category teams – the Under-13 and Under-17 – and they have progressed remarkably during the past few months. It’s really overwhelming to see the enthusiasm of these kids, which clearly gives high hopes of a bright future in cricket for Guidance International School. The support of the school authorities, including the Chairman Mr. Panduka Weerasinghe, the teachers and supporting committees formed by the parents headed by Mr. Kumara Hewakottage, who voluntarily contribute to the cause, should be highlighted for our recent successes,” noted Manohara, who is eager to see Guidance International School reach greater heights in the school cricket arena.
Though Guidance International School has been featured in the Inter-School competition conducted by Sri Lanka School Cricket Association, success has been not in their favour until this season. After four matches played so far, they drew the game against Mahinda Rajapaksa MV but impressively returned to complete with wins against Sri Parakrama MV by 3 wickets, Presidents Maharagama by 229 runs and Presidents Homagama by 8 wickets in the four games played so far.
The Under-17 cricket squad has had a decent run this season
This is indeed a significant feat for a school that accommodates nearly 900 schoolchildren, out of which nearly half are boys. In addition to the Under-17 side, the school’s Under-13 team also has a bunch of enthusiastic players who are eager to follow the footsteps of their seniors.
“Guidance International School is an educational establishment founded in 2010 as a humble nursery in Bokundara, which now has grown into a well-known school that offers quality education to students of all ages. We are really humbled and proud of the achievements of our young cricketers, and are eagerly looking forward to see their progress in the future. We hope to add more teams and attract more players, and are really delighted with what the school has achieved during the short span,” stated Panduka Weerasinghe, the founder of Guidance International School, which was formed with 22 students and a dedicated teacher 10 years ago.
After its growing popularity as an established and well managed educational institution, Guidance International School expanded its curriculum from Grades 1 to 11, offering both local and Edexcel streams. Currently the school has 115 dedicated academic and non-academic staff, led by three experienced principals.
Dilshan Kadawathaarachchi - Assistant Coach
“In addition to academics, Guidance International School recognises the importance of extra-curricular activities. The school has various clubs and societies such as ICT Club, Gavel Club, Astronomy Club, English Literary Association, Buddhist Society, Chess Club, Good Food Club, Environmental Society, Sinhala Literary Association, Photography Club and Media Club. These clubs and societies allow students to explore different interests and develop leadership qualities. Adding sports activities such as cricket, swimming, basketball, chess and karate has helped the school earn a good reputation as a well-balanced institution,” Weerasinghe added.
Kapila Manohara - Head Coach
The school offers many facilities to all students in academic and extra-curricular activities as Guidance International School has developed to be a well reckoned educational institution among other giants in the trade. Among the facilities available are fully-fledged classrooms and sporting facilities such as a swimming pool, a basketball court and other indoor sports. The school authorities are currently in the process of developing their own cricket ground in the neighbourhood of the school near Kesbewa. Currently they are hiring grounds owned by other schools in the vicinity.
The school’s Under-17 cricket team includes Anuhas Udarshana Fernando, Sadeesha Imal Hewakottage, Vinula Sanduwara Kirindeniya, Vidun Baritha Udukola, Tharul Sanketh Amarasinghe, Tharul Luthmin Atapattu, Osuka Bandira Palihena, Senesha Sandayuru Silva, Thasmitha Dewmith Jayasundara, Miyuru Maduhansa Ranasinghe, Thenuka Mihiran Sandeepa and Chamuditha Yashen Bandara.
The Under-13 side includes Kaweesh Mihisara, Kevindu Deshan, Pathiw Vehan, Risija Lakvidu, Thanush Gimsara, Kavindu Lochana, Binulaka Dulneth, Dimeth Dimasha, Dohan Chamuditha, Sethum Chamathka, Januth Lakshitha, Kihan Weerabandara, Chathumina Thenuka, Yenuja Sasen Induwara, Jithula Dinasara and Yethum Yusara.
The dedication of the school authorities, coaching staff and keen parents and the interest of the young cricketers have led Guidance International School to its recent successes in cricket in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and they are eagerly anticipating more feats as time goes by.
| Results so far: | |
Sri Parakrama MV 172 all out (50) (Dulmina Samith 39, Vimukthi Udayanga 34, Mituru Madushan 4/26, Tharul Sanketh 2/17, Venula Kirindeniya 1/26, Sadeesha Imal 1/32) Guidance Intl School 173 for 7 wickets (46) (Miyuru Ranasinghe 37, Tharul Atapattu 27, Tharul Amarasinghe 26, Vinula Kirindeniya 22, Pasindu Hirushan 2/31, Dulmina Samith 2/32)
Guidance Intl School 273 for 5 wickets (50) (Tharul Sanketh 93, Vidun Baritha 60, Vinula Sandaruwan 28, Dulaksha Induwara 2/34, Chansilu Sanruka 2/43) Presidents Maharagama 44 all out (15.5) (Tharul Sanketh 5/23, Miyuru Ranasinghe 2/13, Tharul Atapattu 1/02)
Presidents Homagama 98 all out (32.4) (Charindu Chethana 27, Vinula Kirindeniya 6/20, Miyuru Ranasinghe 2/24, Tharul Sanketh 2/33) Guidance Intl School 99 for 2 wickets (30.5) (Vidun Baritha 34n.o., Tharul Atapattu 26n.o.)
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