Stallions on canter to make Jaffna a cricket hub
When Sri Lanka joined the rest of the full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2020 with its own version of franchise cricket, with the launch of the now-popular Lanka Premier League (LPL), the island nation filled in the long overdue vacuum of sports entertainment. Embraced by many Sri Lankans for its popularity of franchise cricket, the LPL offered a swift, yet entertaining format of Twenty20, many were of the view that it was just double-header games providing all the thrills and frills with renowned international players representing each team.
But for Jaffna Stallions, the champions of the inaugural LPL, who beat Galle Gladiators by 53 runs at Sooriyawewa in front of a packed stadium, it was an achievement beyond dreams. Throughout the remainder of the LPL, the franchise representing the northern region of Sri Lanka would go on to win three more titles – in 2021, 2022 and 2024 – but under a different ownership as Jaffna Kings.
Chaminda Vaas having a pep talk with the youngsters at JSCA nets
Thus, Jaffna holds the record of being the most successful franchise among the competing five, with B-Love Kandy winning the LPL title in 2023. Colombo Strikers, Dambulla Sixers and Galle Marvels are the remaining franchises yet to taste the success of a title win.
Jaffna also became the most loved and followed franchise within the LPL, despite the franchise changing ownership once—from Stallions to Kings. Kandy had ownership changes for each of the five editions of the LPL, while Dambulla had three ownership changes within this period. Colombo and Galle were under three different owners during the five editions.
While other sides fail to uphold their followers’ loyalty to the team, Jaffna follows a completely different approach to franchise cricket, mainly due to an initiative by its first owners, the Stallions. At times, they are still called Jaffna Stallions by many, notably by those followers from the region itself who are grateful for putting Jaffna on the cricketing map, not only locally but globally.
“We stepped into franchise cricket with a long-term vision. Our intention of acquiring the Jaffna franchise and naming them ‘Stallions’ was part of a bigger plan. After many years, we are highly pleased that our efforts have paved the path to aspiring youngsters and hidden talent,” said Arulmoly Kanagasabapathy of Jaffna Stallions Cricket Academy (JSCA), the training arm of the franchise based in Jaffna.
Despite losing the ownership of Jaffna franchise, which was a major blow to the owners and a heartbreaking setback to their followers, the team that managed the Stallions stuck to their mission of nurturing talents from the region through scouting programmes and continue their commitment as pledged to their followers in Jaffna and rest of the country.
“We were thrilled to initiate the JSCA while the franchise was active. So far the academy has nurtured many cricketers to different levels, including Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, who went on to play first class and even in the Indian Premier League,” proudly noted Dr. Rajiv Nirmalasingham, a keen supporter and promoter of the sport.
The JSCA owns the region’s only indoor cricket training facility with five lanes and an upcoming turf lane, while contributing immensely to Jaffna’s cricket development, focused mainly on the grassroots. Their strong development programmes, improved facilities, and unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation of talent has already seen many cricketers graduate to the next level, in addition to regularly welcoming new entrants. Currently, the JSCA has over 160 youngsters, including girls, training under a qualified coaching staff.
This robust player development system has gradually turned Jaffna from a football-crazy region into a thriving cricket hub. Young cricketers across Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17 levels have been engaged in structured programmes, while an elite squad of 25 players receives focused training. Already some of their talents have graduated to Division 2 and the National Super League competitions of Sri Lanka Cricket.
“In 2023, a talent scouting programme attracted national cricket icons like Chaminda Vaas and Brigesh Jeganathan, putting a spotlight on undiscovered northern talents, especially bowlers, opening doors for many young players and reinforcing the north’s potential as a cricketing hub. Today, our academy and facilities have become a useful entity to many cricketers across various age groups from the entire region,” Arulmoly added.
Being able to cover many aspects of cricket, including creating pathways for cricketing talents from less-privileged or non-cricket-playing schools into institutions with facilities, and assist those who are in dire need of holistic support, including accommodation, job placements, and top-tier coaching, JSCA has already earned a reputation of their own.
With many programmes lined up for the future—including forming a girls’ team to compete at club level after a comprehensive nurturing platform, and providing the much-needed exposure to turf wickets at competitions and practice sessions—JSCA has a long to-do list they intend to cover in the coming months and years.
But one of their main interests will be to reclaim ownership of the Jaffna franchise they dearly held onto and create it as a springboard to attract more talents into cricket, at the upcoming LPL.
“We have been invited by Sri Lanka Cricket to reconsider taking over the Jaffna franchise, something we are highly keen on. Reclaiming the ownership of one of the most successful LPL franchises would be a dream-come-true, but our venture of nurturing young talent from the region will never cease,” Arulmoly affirmed.