FOG U-15 Cricket Team Crosses International Borders for the 3rd Consecutive Time

Having emerged champions in their debut international tour in 2009 and runners- up in 2010, the Foundation of Goodness’ Seenigama Sports Academy U-15 Cricket Team set out on another sporting adventure to Malaysia between 21st and 25th July 2011 to take part in KAF International Youth Cricket Tournament Cup.

Owing to the fact that the entire U-15 Cricket Team came from tsunami affected families who witnessed their lives crumbling down to the ground within a matter of minutes with family and loved ones being washed away and taken away from them forever; the misery that engulfed these young lives back then never allowed them to foresee an opportunity to perform their talents at an open ground, let alone at an international cricket venue. It is for helping us provide this opportunity to deserving youngsters by way of sponsorships that we take our hats off to David Crusea - Sri Lankan now domiciled Down Under, without whose compassion, participating at this international tournament would have been impossible for poor village kids.

Following the dream run of 2009 where FOG emerged champions and the test of courage from 2010 that made FOG team runners-up, the tour of 2011 became a journey of faith for team spirit, courage and commitment to be proven, once again. 25 teams from Malaysia (including a Women’s team), Australia, Singapore, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka participated in this year’s tournament under the guidance of Kuala Lampur Cricket Association that did a marvelous job at putting the event together.

The venues selected for this year’s tournament were – Selangor Turf Club, Club Aman Cricket Ground, Bayuemas Cricket Oval, Kinrara Cricket Oval and the Royal Selangor Club. The FOG team played the first round of games (4 matches in total) at the Selangor Turf Club grounds, second round of games (4 matches in total) at Kinrara Oval, and the Semi-Finals & Final on day 3, at the Royal Selangor Club grounds.

Having played 10 matches in total, the FOG Team faced two defeats; one in the 2nd round and the other at finals. Returning this year as runner’s-up champions, the FOG players did not fall short of leaving their footprint in Malaysian soil as unmatchable performers. Shammu Ashan walked away with ‘The Player of the Tournament’ title and Kasun Tharaka was awarded ‘Man of the Finals’ award.   The entire team did a marvelous job throughout the tournament that came in for much praise from organizers, contributors and spectators. Apart from the award winners, Ravin Tharindu, Sajana Sathsara and Indunil Buddhika were identified as key players and performers who excelled in all areas.

As much as this tour contributed towards team building, sportsmanship and personal growth for the young cricketers, it also allowed an opportunity for them to experience another country for the first time in their life. It was a ‘once-in-a-life-time’ opportunity for many members of the team. Except for 6 players that represented the FOG U-15 Cricket team last year and therefore, got the opportunity to air travel and explore another country; all other players faced brand-new experiences that they fondly carried back home with much appreciation and gratitude.

Facilities for cricketers including accommodation at the 3 star Hotel Maluri; a wide variety of food and comfortable transportation arrangements were well organized and arranged so much so that the FOG cricket team proclaimed that they could not have asked for more. Thanks to the generous contributions of Shaktha Amaratunga and Athula Samarasekera who provided pocket money for the boys, the team’s Malaysian tour did not fall short of the famous ‘shopping experience’ that every traveler to Malaysia fondly embrace as part of the journey. The boys thoroughly enjoyed loafing about shopping malls and purchasing souvenirs to carry back home.

The KAF International Youth Cricket Tournament indeed is a unique experience that the FOG U-15 cricket team will hold close to their hearts not merely because the journey added life experiences, but because it filled their hearts with aspirations and motivation to perform even better in the future.

Anura De Silva, Head of Sports Development of the Foundation of Goodness stated that, “This is a huge experience for village boys to come out and experience the world. Traveling overseas, experiencing a different culture, playing in foreign lands under foreign conditions, mingling with diverse teams of different backgrounds, all contribute towards molding sportsmen to international standards. Overall, it was a fantastic experience for our team”.

Although, a second defeat at the finals was far off from what was anticipated, the level of confidence and the spirit of the game showcased by FOG cricketers were highlighted as being of the finest standard. This was also true of the overall behavior of the FOG cricketers who so warm heartedly made friends with other team players that they met for the first time in life. As bonds were built and experiences garnered, the FOG U-15 cricket team headed back home carrying the runner’s-up title with determination to raise the bar even higher for themselves at the KAF tournament in 2012, with one goal - to reclaim the trophy next time around!

23.08.2011

"It Does Not Matter How Many Times You Get Knocked Down, But How Many Times You Get Up."

-Vince Lombardi