August 1st and 2nd 2009 saw the return of the Desert Cubs Cricket Academy at the beautiful Seenigama Sri Wimala Buddhi Cricket Oval at the Seenigama Sports Academy. For the Desert Cubs under -13 and u15 teams this was a second opportunity to practise their cricket against the Seenigama school u13 and u15 teams, following their successful tour last year.

The matches was played out under the blistering sun, at the Seenigama Sri Wimala Buddhi Oval, which was opened in May 2007 and has since then provided essential facilities for the training of Seenigama Wimala Buddhi cricket teams, the Seenigama village teams and the newly founded Seenigama Cricket Ladies. Of course, many visiting teams have also enjoyed the facilities, and this weekend was no exception.

A carnival atmosphere pervaded the stands as family members from all over Sri Lanka rejoined their expatriate relatives. 106 visitors in all formed a crowd of enthusiastic supporters.

While the teams from Dubai put up a good fight, the Seenigama teams won both matches. But the enjoyment of cricket was plain to see on all sides during both days of play.

The games culminated in an award ceremony and a presentation of two large bags of bats and other equipment to the Foundation of Goodness Sports Academy for the development of cricket in rural schools in the Seenigama region.

The generosity of the Dubai Cricket Academy extended to the presentation of  30 pairs of training shoes and practice kits to the u13 and u15 teams and a scholarship for a promising schoolboy cricketer.

Manager of the Sports Academy, Anura de Silva commented that “its a fantastic gesture by the Dubai Academy to come to Seenigama. Actually, for them it is a challenge as they were playing against superior opposition which is great experience for them and we saw a great improvement in their talent from last year. And in terms of their donations, so many under privileged children will benefit immensely from the cricket gear and the funding of a student is very kind and will have a huge impact on this student's life. We look forward to seeing them again next year for another fun weekend of cricket.”

In thanks, the Foundation's Founder, Kushil Gunasekera reminded the cricketers of the importance of personal attitude to bring about success.  He commented that “for the children of both Academies this is a wonderful opportunity, not just to hone their sporting skills but to learn some very important life skills, including communicating across the language barrier, working together, learning about their different cultures and making new friends. All players will gain in confidence and their sense of personal achievement will no doubt stay with them for many years into their adult hood. Of course I wish to extend personal thanks and gratitude to the Desert Cubs  Cricket Academy for their dedication in inspiring the boys from Dubai to play cricket, and for at the same time empowering rural children and youth from Sri Lanka by enabling more and more boys and girls to get involved in sport, which in the end is a great way to develop one's personal character, ones community, and also to represent one's country, which is always the highest honour.”

Desert Cubs Cricket Academy have promised to come back next year to continue what is rapidly becoming a traditional fixture in the Seenigama cricket timetable.

“Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer.”

2009.08.23