The four Saints gather for 56th occasion in Colombo next week
View(s):The 56th edition of the annual Saints’ Quadrangular Tournament will be staged on November 8 and 9 at Darley Road and Bambalapitiya, with former sports stars from four leading Catholic schools — St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota, St. Benedict’s College, St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College – set to compete against each other in a weekend of spirited competition, camaraderie and nostalgia.
With the origins of this historic tournament tracing back to 1963, at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of St. Benedict’s College, where the other three institutions joined in, this year will mark the 56th edition of continued legacy of the famed Saints’ Quadrangular.
The ‘Quadrangular Weekend’, as it’s known among the four schools, now has become a hallmark event eagerly awaited by its past pupils, players, and supporters. It is not merely known as a tournament, but as a celebration of brotherhood, sportsmanship and enduring friendships among the Saints’ fraternity.
Each year, one of the four schools proudly hosts the event and this year the tournament will be hosted by the Old Joes Sports Club under the able leadership of Prithieraj de Silva and Viranga Malawana heading the organising committee, ensuring that the spirit of the tournament continues to thrive through shared heritage, healthy competition, and deep-rooted camaraderie.
All events will be held at St. Josephs’ College and St. Peter’s College grounds on November 8 and 9, with Dinuk de Silva Wijeyerathne, a distinguished old boy of St. Joseph’s and Director of Sitrek and Virelio, gracing the opening ceremony as the guest of honour. Another distinguished old boy of St. Joseph’s, Kenneth de Zilwa, will grace the closing ceremony as the chief guest. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Lanka Rating Agency Ltd. and the former Chairman of LankaPay Ltd.
Following the success of introducing four sister schools, the Saints’ Quadrangular have also included a ladies’ softball cricket tournament, where former players from Good Shepherd Convent, Kandy, Good Shepherd Convent, Colombo, St. Bridget’s Convent and Holy Family Convent, Colombo compete in a six-a-side competition. The tournament will be played at Darley Road on November 9.
The main focus however, will be the two T20 cricket tournaments and two basketball tourneys for under 40 and over 40 age categories, an Over-20 rugby sevens competition and the basketball tourney, completing the activities of the Saints’ Quadrangular.
“We are expecting some of the finest players from the four schools to represent the country in cricket, rugby and basketball to be part of this year’s events. It will be a treat to watch them compete against each other, but with good spirit, sportsmanship and brotherhood,” noted Viranga Malawana, the Chairman of the Tournament Committee.
Winners of the two cricket tournaments will be walk away with the Quadrangular Trophy while the basketball winners are set to receive the Very Rev. Fr. Joe E. Wickramasinghe Trophy. The overall winners of the Saints’ Quadrangular Tournament grab the coveted Ranjith Samarasekara Challenge Trophy. Over 20 trophies will be on offer in cricket, basketball and rugby at this year’s Saints Quadrangular besides the main silverwares. Since 2017, when the Overall Championship was introduced, St. Anthony’s College has won the title once while St. Peter’s won its on three occasions. This year’s hosts, St. Joseph’s are the defending champions. The 56th Saints Quadrangular Tournament is sponsored by LOLC, Hemas Hospitals, Fox FM and Prima Kottumee.
“The inaugural organising committee included Basil Noyar from St. Benedict’s College, Tom Deen from St. Anthony’s College, Jimmy Vanderkoon from St. Joseph’s College, and Maurice Perera representing St. Peter’s College. Their vision, together with the foresight of Old Antonian, the Late Ranjith Samarasekera, who was instrumental in encouraging the schools to make this an annual event, gave birth to what is now known as the Saints’ Quadrangular Tournament,” stated Prithieraj de Silva, the Chairman of Saints Quadrangular Association.
“What began as a two-day cricket encounter has now evolved into a multi-sport carnival that continues to embody the true spirit of sportsmanship and fraternity. Over the past five decades, the Saints Quadrangular has witnessed numerous national and international cricketers proudly don their school colours once again, rekindling memories of their schoolboy days,” stated Jude Pillai, the President of Old Antonians Sports Club, Colombo branch.
In 2002, the organisers introduced a 25-over Cricket Tournament for players aged 40 and above, allowing past cricketers to once again represent their beloved alma mater. Two years later basketball was added to the lineup, enriching the event further given the strong basketball heritage of the four schools. Continuing its evolution, a 7s rugby competition was introduced in 2014, transforming the Saints’ Quadrangular into a vibrant sports carnival that now features three major sports across four tournaments. This annual tournament, after its success as the longest running Old Boys Tournament, is now being played around the world annually in United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.