Sri Lankan combined Softball and Tape-ball teams set for historic tour of England

By Hishan Welmilla

The Sri Lanka Softball Federation affiliated to the Ministry of Sports is in the process of finalizing arrangements for a path breaking tour to the traditional home of cricket – UK in the month of August. 

The 14 day tour which is jointly supported and facilitated by Sport Leisure Travel – UK, its Young and energetic, Managing Director Mathew Rogers and Cricket Wales is intended to not only raise the profile of Softball and Tape-ball Cricket in the Island but also to provide and create opportunities for budding young cricketers in the country to select an alternative career path. 

The tour is coordinated by the federation’s international relations consultant Nishantha Herath whilst the SLSCF’s UK representative Sanjeewa Jayakody will overlook match arrangements with the guidance of the tour facilitators. 

The Sri Lanka Softball Cricket Federation (SLSCF) has been in existence for over 40 years and has over 1,200 registered clubs in its books. Matches/tournaments are played all over the island throughout the year and it is one of the most popular pastimes for kids of all age groups. 

Unfortunately the support from the powers that be and corporates to raise the profile of the sport and develop the game was not forthcoming until the advent of the incumbent Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara, who has a clear vision to not only develop all sports affiliated to the Ministry but to also inculcate a sporting culture in our youth and afford them alternative career options whilst also maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle free of vices. 

It is a fact that Iconic cricketers like Lasith Malinga and Sanath Jayasuriya developed their games through softball cricket and there is no reason why the SLSCF cannot develop a further crop of talented youngsters as a feeder system to the National Cricket Team which is going through a rebuilding phase at the moment. 

The federation’s tour of the UK will consist of eight 20 overs a side matches against local British Club teams as well as a three team tournament organised by the current UK softball cricket champions – Hounslow in London. The team will also play a couple of friendly practice matches against Sri Lankan opposition including the Sri Lanka Schools OBA champions. 

During the tour, the team will also visit the Iconic Lords Cricket Ground, the Headingly Stadium in Leeds and the Cardiff Stadium in Wales to soak up the atmosphere. This will be the second overseas tour undertaken by the federation in 2016, after the successful tour of the UAE in April where the team won four out of five matches. 

The Federation and its office bearers led by the President and General Secretary are thankful to Jayasekara for his patronage and guidance to ensure that the tour goes ahead, along with the Ministry of Sports. The support of the corporate sector too would be most welcome as the federation builds up towards their departure. In this regard, it is noteworthy to mention the contribution of national carrier SriLankan Airlines which has offered an attractive discounted rate on the air tickets for the tour squad. 

The federation’s team of players and officials are due to leave the country on the 18 August and return on 31 August.