The grand finale of the MJF Challenge Trophy: Sri Lanka’s one and only National Cricket Encounter organized and steered in recognition of the cricketing skills of the visually impaired, was worked off on July 20, 2013 at the Wesley College grounds, Colombo.
Subhagya Vidyalaya (the School for the Visual & Hearing Impaired) in Monaragala defeated CEI Sports Club (The sporting arm of CEI Plastic Ltd) at the much thrilled final encounter of the MJF Challenge trophy, worked off for the sixth consecutive year.
Batting first, Subhagya Vidyalaya sealed a mammoth 198 for 02 wickets off the allotted 20 overs. Suranga Sampath coming in at the crucial No.03 position stroked a dazzling 108 not out, claiming 12 boundaries while skipper Chandana Deshapriya (regarded as the Sanath Jayasooriya of National Cricket for the Visually Handicapped) knocked off a fast 59 not out, with 08 scorching boundaries. Both Suranga Sampath and Chandana Deshapriya put up a magnificent partnership of 140 runs for the 3rd wicket. Ranjith Munasinghe from the CEI Sports Club took one wicket for 42 runs.
CEI Sports Club got off to a blistering start when Sri Lanka skipper Chandana Suriyarachchi 49 (one glorious six and five boundaries) and CEI Captain Ruwan Wasantha 47 (three boundaries) put on a mighty 96 opening partnership. CEI Sports Club had recorded 108 runs at the end of 10 overs. However, Chandana was caught in the deep attempting another six and Ruwan was unnecessarily run out. CEI was finding it difficult to keep the score board ticking against Subhagya Vidyalaya’s bowling attack when they crumbled 173 for six wickets in their 20 overs. Prabath Tissa from Subhagya Vidyalaya bowled a splendid 02 for 27.
Late on Saturday night Subhagya Vidyalaya team was warmly received and felicitated by other students and the village folk of Monaragala, it is learnt.
Summary of the Tournament:
Champions – Subhagya Vidyalaya Monaragala
Runners up – CEI Sport Club Piliyandala
3rd place – Ratmalana School for the Visual impaired ‘A’ Team
4th Place – Cricketers from the Sri Lanka Council for the the Visually Handicapped
Man of the Match – Suranga Sampath from Subhagya Vidyalaya (School for the children with Visual & Hearing Imapirement)
Best player B1 (Totally Blind) – Selvanayagam from Subhagya Vidyalaya (School for the children with Visual & Hearing Impairment)
Best Player B2 (Partially Blind) – Ruwan Wasantha from CEI Sports Club
Best Player B3 (Partially sighted) – Suranga Sampath from Subhagya Vidyalaya (School for the children with Visual & Hearing Impairment)
The Merrill J Fernando Charitable Foundation acts as a catalyst for Cricket for the visual impaired in Sri Lanka ever since the first tournament was played in 2008 May. The Visually handicapped youth have been motivated to perform better and attain higher levels not only in Cricket but also in their academic, professional and vocational pursuits. Merrill J Fernando Challenge Trophy is played on the 06th of May every year as a way of celebrating Mr. Merrill J Fernando’s birthday, with the kids who are connected to the foundation and especially with the differently able who are closer to his heart. The semi Finals of this match was played on the May 5, 2013, and although the finals were planned to be played on the May 6 due to bad weather it was postponed to the 20th July 2013.
The Tournament was conducted by the Sri Lanka Cricket Association of the Visually Handicapped that was established in early 1980’s. The Association currently has registered 13 teams of the visual impaired in Sri Lanka. The Association has also produced an excellent National Team of the visually impaired that has played on international grounds twice (Pakistan and India) representing Sri Lanka at the International Cricket World Cup for visually impaired.
Mr. Merrill J Fernando and his son Malik J Fernando along with Tasha Fernando and Mr. Rienzi Benedict; the Past President of the Sri Lanka Cricket Association of the Visually Handicapped, Mr. U. Priyantha the current President of the Sri Lanka Cricket Association of the Visually Handicapped and Mr. Chaminda Kaluarachchi the Secretary of the same institution were present at the match.
Mr. Athulathmudali and Mr. Sumanaweera the most amazing umpires and Mr. Seneviratne was the Match commentator whilst Mr. Ravi was assigned to be the official scorer of the match. It is commendable that all these officials have been connected with Merrill J Fernando Challenge Trophy since 2008.
Whilst congratulating Subhagya Vidyalaya (the School for the Visual & Hearing Impaired) on their victory warm wishes go to the Cricket teams CEI Sports Club, The Ratmalana ‘A’ team and the Team representing the Sri Lanka Council for the Visually Handicapped that participated in the tournament.
Click here for the Pictures of the match
The Facebook album of the match
