KDCA launches ‘Talent Hunt’ program in Kalutara under the patronage of SLC

Talent Search Program - Dharga Town 

SLC VP Ravin Wickramaratne addressing the gathering in Beruwala

Talent Search Program - Dharga Town

Kalutara District Cricket Association (KDCA) under the patronage of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), commenced a ‘Talent Hunt’ program to search for potential cricketers, covering both men’s and women’s cricket.

Towards this, a series of programs were held recently, covering communities and schools in the Kalutara District.

The first program was held in the area of Nartupana, resulting in SLC talent scouts identifying several potential young cricketers, who will be groomed through the age level, District and Provincial Cricket to feed the National system.

In the meantime, two other programs were held separately at St. Mary’s College – Beruwala and Sri Gnanissara Maha Vidyalaya – Dharga Town, focusing on promoting cricket among girls.  Students of the Samudra Devi and Bandaranayake Colleges of Payagala also took part in the program.

SLC Women’s Cricket Convener Apsari Tillakaratne explained the value of playing cricket and the gains the girls can derive both personally and professionally.

During the program, the girls were also shown a motivational documentary on the journey traveled by former Women’s team Test Captain Shashikala Siriwardena to make her mark in International Cricket. 

SLC Vice President Ravin Wickramaratne took part as the Chief Guest during the ‘Talent Hunt’ program, and also present were former Sri Lanka Captain and current SLC High Performance Centre Batting Coach Hashan Tillakaratne.

The program was held under the initiative of the KDCA President Prasanna Amarasekera, whilst SLC Consultant – Operations and Development of Women’s Cricket Lt. Col. Manuja Kariapperuma, Western Province Cricket Association Secretary Anura Weerasinghe, Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Coordinator Indrani Ariyaratna, KDCA Secretary Dilran Abeysekera and KDCA Training Committee Chairman Tissa de Silva also graced the occasion.

The Kalutara District Talent Hunt was conducted in line with SLC’s island-wide talent search, which is an ongoing program conducted to attract potential girls and boys into the game.