I learnt many lessons at Ananda College, says Arjuna Ranatunga

“I learnt good lessons not only in cricket but other essential things to build up my career from my Alma Mater Ananda College said 1996 world cup winning Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga who was the chief guest at the 22 nd Henry Steel Olcott Memorial cricket tournament felicitation ceremony held at Grand Kandyan Hotel on Saturday.

Ranatunga who took part as a batsman of old Anandian team said we are very proud to say so many National players were produced by the eight Henry Steel Olcott schools but we have to find out why today less players from these schools reach National level

.When I was 18 years old I got a chance to represent Sri Lanka in our inaugural test against England.Late Bandula Warnapura the first test captain was the man who had an idea to conduct this Henry Steel Olcott Cricket tournament among eight Buddhist schools Ananda ,Nalanda ,Dharmaraja ,Dharmapala ,Rahula ,Mahinda ,Maliyadeva and Dharmasoka . I had chance to take part in most of these tournaments and this year too played for Old Ananda team and this tournament build up friendship among our schools . Today Sri Lanka Cricket gone down but we like to continue this tournament successfully and Henry Steel Olcott Cricket Foundation doing a superb job along with Old Dharmaraja Cricket Foundation which hosted this tournament said Ranatunga.

When we were at school those days not only cricket how to walk eat talk and love our motherland were taught by our master’s and coaches .Our teachers gave good knowledge to us and we should give this to our youngsters . President Ranil Wickremesinghe is also concerned about this cricket issue and hopes to solve it said former Skipper Arjuna.

President of the Henry Steel Olcott Foundation Rohan Somawansa a distinguished old boy of Rahula College said all eight schools really performed well during this tournament which provided opportunities for members of all Olcott schools and in the past young cricketers showed us a glimpse of their talent with . most of them representing Sri Lanka at the National level.

As a foundation this year’s tournament is important for us to understand the skill levels of our young cricketers to further their development, we are very keen to get more players to the National cricket team and under 19 team in the next three years from Olcott schools said President Rohan who is also Secretary of the Mercantile Cricket Association.

The eight legends awards ceremony was also the main event of this tournament Dharmaraja Outstanding cricketer Mahinda Pethiyagoda, well known entrepreneur and Philanthropist and former Sri Lanka Cricket Board President Ana Punchihewa of Ananda, Judge of the Court of Appeal who was former head Prefect of Nalanda Sobitha Rajakaruna, outstanding cricket coach of Mahinda Lucky Arambawela, outstanding sportsman, Rt Major General Sunil Tennakoon from Maliyadeva,Rahula College former Athlete and present Director General of Sports Medicine Unit Dr Lal Ekanayake, Outstanding sportsman and cricketer of Dharmasoka Rt Major General Bimal Widhanage,Old Dharmapala skipper and renowned coach. W.L Withanage were felicitated at this ceremony and received their momentoes from chief guest Arjuna Ranatunga.

The post I learnt many lessons at Ananda College, says Arjuna Ranatunga appeared first on DailyNews.