The Foundation of Goodness says it is organising a unique cricket match, played between the visiting Yarra Valley Cricket Association Team from Melbourne, Australia and the Jaffna School Combined Team from Sri Lanka on July 4.
This game follows in the trend of the international school cricket matches, played in the North after 30 years of conflict, organised by the Foundation of Goodness. The first such match took place in Kilinochchi in 2013 when the Australian Helenic Federation and the Melbourne Ferntree Gully Cricket Association Combined Team played Sri Lanka’s North & East Schools Combined Team.
The 2013 as well as the 2014 tours are organised by David Cruse, Keith Thompson and the Foundation of Goodness, and are facilitated by the Sri Lanka Army. These encounters give exposure to the rural youngsters post-conflict
The Foundation of Goodness is an organisation which has undertaken many sports events in the North to bring about development and reconciliation through the spirit of sport. Noted sports events organised by it includes the 2012 and 2013 Murali Harmony Cup cricket tournaments played across five venues in the North with the participation of 12 schoolboy cricket teams from around the island, which was followed by forming the Murali Harmony Cup Unity Team which toured Singapore and England in 2013 and 2014.
It is emphasised that without the help of the Sri Lanka Army and the leadership of Maj. Gen. Udaya Perera, the Security Forces Commander in Jaffna, it would not have been possible to hold international matches in the North.
The Yarra Valley CA Team vs. Jaffna Schools Combined Team cricket match will commence at 9 a.m. on June 4 at the Jaffna Central College Grounds.
