First - ever inter-university T20 Sri Lanka tournament kicks off today

• Winner of the tournament will compete in the Red Bull Campus Cricket World Series Championship 2013 to be held in India next February

By Rashika Fazali

After Rizvi Campus, India took the cup home at the first ever Red Bull Campus Cricket Asia Finals held this April in Sri Lanka, Red Bull decided to make campus cricket bigger by spanning across the world.

Yet another first, Red Bull is set to host the first ever inter-university T20 Sri Lanka tournament starting from 7 December till 26 January 2013. It will span across seven weeks where 14 Sri Lankan universities will battle it out to become the national qualifier to take on the Red Bull Campus Cricket World Series Championship 2013 among the best campuses from 11 other test playing nations.

The inter-university T20 tournament is another first in Sri Lankan history which will help bring across unity and enthusiasm for the game. It is also another platform to find young new talent.

Addressing the welcome speech Cricketer Dinesh Chandimal said, “It’s possible that one or two cricketers can even become professional crickets.” He also mentioned that cricket is a special game for Sri Lankans and the quality of cricket played here in most schools is of a high standard.

Further speaking of the tournament’s importance, he stated, “It will help us to develop cricket in Sri Lanka.”

Chief Guest and Deputy Minster of Higher Education Nandimithra Ekanayake also speaking at the launch stated that this tournament will further teach the young cricketers on the necessity of team work, test leaders and improve leadership and it will also discipline the cricketers and the society.

Tournament Director and Maldives cricket team coach Kuruppu pointed out the event objectives stating: “It will develop sportsmanship and encourage inter-university interaction.” He also added that it will energise the intellectual youth, attract non playing students and provide opportunities to have fun, socialise and form peer relationships and honour in representing their university.

Speaking about the inter-university tournament, he stated that the 14 teams will be divided into four groups: Vijaya, Gamunu, Parakrun and Kashyapa and the matches will be played among five locations Moratuwa, Wayamba, Rajarata, Peradeniya and Colombo.

Kuruppu said, “We want to play it like the IPL, giving each university a name and a logo. We have also given 14 different kits.” cricketer Dinesh Chandimal and cricketer Lahiru Thirimanne unveiled the 14 jerseys and handed over the respective jerseys to the respective captains.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer and politican Sanath Jayasuriya and former Sri Lankan cricketer Romesh Kaluwitharana along with Chandimal and Thirimanne also unveiled the Red Bull Campus Cricket Sri Lanka 2013 trophy.

Kuruppu mentioned that 2013’s Red Bull Campus Cricket World Series Championship will be held in India between February and March and will see 11 test playing nations India, Pakistan, England, The Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, West Indies, UAE and Bangladesh.

- Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe