47th Saints Quadrangular Sports Tournament on 23-24 August

Thursday, 14 August 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The 47th Saints Quadrangular Sports Tournament will be held on 23 and 24 August in Colombo. This year, the Old Peterites Sports Club will host this prestigious old boys’ sporting event. It is the flagship event of the old boys of the four premier Catholic schools in Sri Lanka, namely; St. Anthony’s College Katugastota, St. Benedict’s College Colombo 13, St. Joseph’s College Colombo 10 and St. Peter’s College Colombo 4. Sports teams and old boys of these schools come together once a year as a tradition to celebrate their comrade and fellowship whilst reliving their glory years. The Annual Saints Quadrangular Tournament was the brainchild of the Old Benedictines for their OBU Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1963. Various schools were invited for this inaugural tournament, but coincidently only three schools responded, St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and St. Peter’s College, Colombo.

Old Anthonian Ranjith Samarasekera is a pillar of strength of the Saints Quadrangular as he galvanised the OBU’s subsequent to the inaugural event and made this an annual event. He has been present in every organising committee since then. Originally the main cricket match among the past players of the four schools was played as a two-day encounter. But as years progressed, the organisers decided to convert the tournament into a much involving event by changing the tournament into a limited overs competition. Also in 2002, the organisers introduced a 25-overs per side cricket tournament for players above the age of 40. This drew the interests of many past cricketers of yesteryear with some who went on to represent Ceylon and Sri Lanka after representing these schools in their heyday turning out once again for their alma mater proudly wearing their college crests. Then in 2004, basketball was introduced and this became a keen contest as these Quadrangular schools do enjoy a rich tradition of basketball in Sri Lanka. Of the four schools, Old Benedictines enjoys this very much as they have led the tally since 2004. In addition to cricket and basketball tournaments, this year the organisers will be introducing a 7-a-side rugby tournament for the first time and this will make the Saints Quadrangular more exciting with most of the current leading national and club rugby players who are hailing from these four schools are expected to represent their alma mater. The winning Basketball team of the Quadrangular Tournament will receive the Very Rev. Fr. Joe E. Wickremasinghe Trophy. Last year the tournament was held in Kandy where Old Peterites won the basketball and main cricket tournaments whilst Old Anthonians won the Over 40s (age) cricket tournament. This year the ‘Ranjith Samarasekera Challenge Trophy’ donated by the Old Peterites Sports Club is to be introduced for the Rugby 7s in recognising the commitment and the excellent service rendered by Old Anthonian Ranjith Samarasekera towards the Saints Quadrangular. The Chief Guest for this occasion will be former Peterite and Sri Lanka Cricketer and now an international cricket commentator Russel Arnold whilst the Guest of Honour will be former Josephian cricketer (1969) Arthur Hakel. A Saints Quadrangular Social will be held on Saturday 23 August from 7 p.m. onwards at the St. Peter’s College Hall with a live band, entertainment and food stalls. Tickets are available with the respective OBUs. The schedule 23 August Cricket Main tournament (from 9.45 a.m. onwards) Old Peterites Vs Old Benedictines at St. Peter’s College Grounds, Colombo 4. Old Josephians Vs Old Anthonians at St. Joseph’s College Grounds, Colombo 10. Cricket Over 40s Matches to be played at S. Thomas’ College Grounds Mt. Lavinia. 9.30 a.m. Old Peterites Vs Old Benedictines 1.30 p.m. Old Josephians Vs Old Anthonians Basketball matches to be played at St. Peter’s College Basketball Court, Colombo 4. 7.30 a.m. Old Peterites Vs Old Benedictines 9.30 a.m. Old Josephians Vs Old Anthonians 2.30 p.m. Old Peterites Vs Old Josephians 4.30 p.m. Old Anthonians Vs Old Benedictines Rugby 7s to be played at St. Peter’s College Grounds. 7.50 a.m. Old Peterites Vs Old Benedictines 8.10 a.m. Old Josephians Vs Old Anthonians 9.10a.m Old Peterites Vs Old Anthonians 9.30a.m Old Josephians Vs Old Benedictines 1.10 p.m. Old Peterites Vs Old Josephians 1.30 p.m. Old Anthonians Vs Old Benedictines 5.40 p.m. – Plate Championship 6.00 p.m– Cup Championship 24 August Cricket Main tournament Finals at St. Peter’s College Grounds, Colombo 4. Cricket Over 40s Finals at St. Joseph’s College Grounds, Colombo 10. Basketball matches to be played at St. Peter’s College Basketball Court, Colombo 4. 7.30 a.m. Old Peterites Vs Old Anthonians 9.30 a.m. Old Josephians Vs Old Benedictines 2.30 p.m. 3rd place play off 4.30 p.m. Finals