By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Gifted as the gentlemen’s game by the Englishmen, Sri Lanka cricket had come a long way from being an elite sport played by a very few affluent families to an industry where a micro-economy is built around the sport for its popularity and as a lucrative career.
However, the man who turned around the tables in cricket from a few affluent families to the poor talented cricketer, Sri Lanka’s world cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga said the talent should be given priority than lucrative attractiveness in cricket.
Former cricket captain Ranatunga has stated that the “My Dad is My Super Star – Dad cricket tournament” will not be just a cricket tournament but one that will build up new social relationships to avoid cultural degradation.
“The main objective of Dads cricket tournament is to create a surrounding where talented cricketers will join with veteran cricketers, coaches and counsellors,” said Ranatunga a Minister in the present government at a media briefing held at the Sri Lanka Foundation yesterday.
“The common challenge with the younger generation is liquor and drug abuse that will cause degradation of ethics and culture. As adults, we should fight against it. We expect to initiate an organization for this by Dads cricket tournament,” he said.
The 1996 World Cup winning cricket team will participate at the Dads cricket tournament where 18 teams are expected to take part.
The opening ceremony will be held on 2 November at Colts ground. The league stage matches will be held on 3, 4, 10, 11 November at Colts and BRC grounds. The semi-final will take place on 18 November at Moratuwa Stadium under lights.
The mascot and the schedule of the tournament was presented at the media brief.
Hashan Tillakaratne, Pramodya Wickramasinghe, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Upul Chandana, Roy Dias and Nuwan Soyza also participated at the media brief.
More details of the tournament can be obtained from Ravindra Pushpakumara – 0768317302.
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