Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club has shed its century old image and fallen in line with present day requirements as it launched out to acquire its first ever state-of-the-art indoor nets and elected a new president in Ramesh Schaffter.
For more than 120 years the Tamil Union club according to historians had played a crucial part in paving the way for the nation’s rise to international standards as it groomed and moulded the careers of hundreds of cricketers over the years and throughout the ages while it became the only venue in the whole of Asia where the great Australian batsman Don Bradman played.
The venue also hosted Sri Lanka’s first ever Test match played in the country in 1982 which was against England.
“Celebrating the achievements of Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club is not just about the past – but also about the future,” said Schaffter.
“It is all about fueling young talent, giving them the opportunity to give their best to the game. With our facilities and our commitment to the game, we believe that we can indeed look forward to getting there. We also believe that more of the best of cricketing talent from Tamil Union is yet to come.”
“As a premier cricket club that has contributed tremendously to the sport, Tamil Union has so much of potential to offer. Our goal is to share that vision with the cricketing world, empowering young talent and uplifting the game to greater heights.” As a step towards consolidating its commitment towards excellence in cricket, its new indoor nets initiated by immediate past president N. Vasanthakumar is equipped with a state-of-the-art lighting system that offers cricketers the opportunity to train and master their craft be it in batting, bowling or fielding.
The new indoor nets were put up at a substantial investment and are expected to encourage the young cricketers of Tamil Union as well as others to hone their skills. “Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club has such a rich history in sports. It is on record as the only venue to have supported almost all international matches played in Sri Lanka since 1945.
“It was also the only venue that could accommodate large crowds at the time and it was here that Sri Lanka recorded its maiden Test victory against India. So much of cricketing history was made here at this venue.”, said Balan Asirwatham the General Secretary of Tamil Union. Four cricketers from Tamil Union–Jeewan Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Suranga Lakmal and Isuru Udara represented Sri Lanka in the 2019 World Cup.
Cricketing legends Mahadevan Sathasivam and Muttiah Muralidharan are two iconic names of the club while three other players Niroshan Bandaratilleke, Upul Chandana and Rangana Herath are also prized products that kept its flag flying in the annals of cricket in Sri Lanka.