Eight teams to contest for Colombo Big Match in August

From left: Manoj Samarasimghe – Nalanda College, Fowzil Nawaz – Wesley College, Daminda Cooray - Thurstan College, Lal Hewagama – Ananda College, Janesh Rathnadasa – S. Thomas’ College, Lalith Sumanasiri – Consultant, John Daren – CEO International Cricket Services Ltd., Anushka Polonovita – Royal College and Malintha Warnapura – St. Peter’s College

History will be recreated in the sporting arena this August at the Premadasa International Cricket Stadium when old boys from eight of the very best cricket playing schools in the country will come together to lock horns in an event titled Colombo Big Match that promises to be the perfect mix of young and not-so-old showcasing their skills and bringing back memories of the past.

What will be most appealing to the participants is that the old boys contesting the two-day championship will play in the same atmosphere and environment of annual big match action and revelry or even beyond in the new concept.

The eight teams that will contest the Colombo Big Match will be attired in coloured clothing with team logos and other identities and will call themselves the Ananda Maroons, Josephian Fighters, Nalanda Titans, Royal Tuskers, St. Peter’s Stallions, St. Thomas’ Gladiators, Thurstan Knights and Wesley Blue Thunder.

International Cricket Services Ltd. (ICSL) is the exclusive marketer and event organiser of the Colombo Big Match that marked its launch and countdown at an MOU signing ceremony recently with the participation of the eight old boy representatives.

Each of the teams will consist of eight players a side battling in matches that will be of eight overs per innings. Each team will be entitled to field two National players, two present cricketers of the school and the rest from old boy players.

Should any team not have National players to choose from, such players could be sourced or arranged through the Old Boys Associations (OBAs).

Current International Cricket Council (ICC) rules will apply for the matches that will be umpired by professionals with match referees also in attendance.

It is possible that the proceedings will have a live television broadcast and the final will be played under lights after the initial League play-offs.

Teams will have their own dug-outs or player tents and be entitled to enlist a popular actress or celebrity as their ambassador for the event. Papare and calypso bands, cheer leaders, food and beverage stalls and entertainment for kids will form part of the side shows.

Actresses for the ambassadorial role may be arranged through the OBA and the ICSL.

The OBA teams will be entitled to numerous benefits like prize money and revenue percentages from sponsorships and sale of merchandise like caps and T-shirts.

All teams will participate free of charge and the champion can carry away Rs. 1 million in prize money and the runners-up Rs. 500,000.

The overall event itself has enough clout to entice the corporate sector to cash in and stake their claims as the tournament’s Title sponsor or even buy up teams they could use to promote the image of their products or services as all eyes will be focused on the players in the middle.

The emphasis that will be placed on the Colombo Big Match will be like never before for old boys to showcase their un-extinguishable flame as a collective unit since discarding their school bags. The occasion will also mark the advent of several more blockbuster attractions in store by the ICSL and their partners.

Project organisers contend that the Colombo Big Match will strive to bring out what Old Boys’ events in Sri Lanka have so far failed to identify in accordance with their pursuits and passions after college.

As their branding team names suggest, old boys from the eight schools are already raring to go and grooming their best players for the occasion that will see the dawn of an event that can only be envied.