The much awaited inter international college cricket tournament organized by Redbull is to kick off in the first week of May 2015. It will be played under the theme of “Play for your campus, Represent your country”. The media launch of the event was held at the P. Sara Oval Grounds, on Thursday.
In its fourth successful year, Red Bull Campus Cricket (RBCC) is back to fuel the passions of young Sri Lankan cricketers. This annual international college cricket tournament will give wings to aspiring young cricketers in 200 universities across 8 cricketing nations Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the UAE. RBCC matches are played under the same regulations that govern the ICC T20 matches. However, this year Red Bull has added one more twist and included two special clauses which is Super Sub and the Strategic Timeout allowing for more strategy and planning by the team right throughout the exciting and nail-biting games.
Sri Lanka took pride in hosting the very first Asian Finals of RBCC in 2012. Following its success, Sri Lanka also went on to host the World Finals of the tournament in 2013. This year, Brendon Kuruppu, RBCC Tournament Director and Lahiru Thirimanne, Vice-Captain of the Sri Lanka Cricket Team, launched the local tournament with a unique “bowl-out” draw at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium (The Oval) on April 9th. The preliminary stages will be held between May 7th and 9th while the Quarter Finals will be held on September 5th and 6th and the Semi Finals on September 12th ending with the National Finals on September 13th. This will culminate in a spectacular World Finals on October 21st in India.
14 local teams including the reigning National Champions ICBT, ACBT, ANC, APIIT, Auston Institute of Management, BMS, CINEC, IIHE, IIT, RIC, SLIIT, VHEC, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and the NSBM will compete to represent Sri Lanka at the World Finals.
Coaches and prominent personalities from the Sri Lankan cricketing fraternity will also mentor teams from the Quarter Finals including holding special workshops on how to succeed in big tournaments.
Speaking at the tournament draw, Thirimanne said that “Cricket has always united us as a nation seeking a common victory. Red Bull Campus Cricket does an exceptional job of tapping into this determination and inspires young Sri Lankan cricketers to come forward, nurture and showcase their talent as they represent their university and country on a global stage.”
