The cricketing community in Ambalangoda and the nearby towns will be able to develop their cricketing skills as they were presented with a revamped Urban Council ground last weekend.
With Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) going ahead with the ‘Cricket Gamata’ program they laid the entire ground with a new turf along with the construction of three centre turf pitches and one matting pitch. They also built five side turf practice pitches along with movable sight screens. In addition, SLC also handed over ground maintenance equipment such as drum rollers, pitch cutters, outfield grass cutters and tractors.
Among those who were present at the handing over ceremony were Dr. Ramesh Pathirana (Minister of Plantation) and Shammi Silva (President-SLC), Aruna Pradeep, Chairman, Ambalangoda UC, Kamal Dharmasiri (Head of National Development Centre SLC) and former Sri Lanka cricketer Ajith de Silva and Upul Tharanga.
In the meantime, indoor nets of the Singha Sports Club of Ambalangoda, which was established by SLC in 2004, was renovated.
The refurbished nets were declared open by Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa during the weekend.
Following the opening of the redeveloped ground a match was played between Singha Sports Club and Rio Sports Club.
Scores:
Singha SC beat Rio CC
Singha SC: 167/5 (20) (Chalitha Helambage 46, Imesh Udayanga 34, Adeesha Thilanchana 32 n.o., Dinuka Dilshan 20, Upul Tharanga 17)
Rio SC: 65 (18.5) (Lakila Tehan 30, Anudha Jithwara 16 n.o., Dinuka Dilshan 3/5, Sasindu Malshan 2/3, Tharuka Gimhan 2/7) (YK)