The 2016 Murali Harmony Cup will be launched on 20th September as the tournament was officially unveiled on Thursday evening in Colombo.
The Murali Cup is a reconciliation T20 cricket tournament conceptualized to develop and encourage schools cricketers in Sri Lanka’s rural areas, especially in the war-affected North and East, as well as promoting community-building, the development of cross-cultural friendships and the creation of goodwill and harmony within Sri Lankan society.
“Sports give a message to everyone on how to become one nation, one beat in this country. This tournament is a great opportunity for these kids to showcase their talents, learn about the other cultures. I can see how friendships have blossomed between players from different teams and the tournament has become very appealing with many teams from different regions wanting to participate each year.” Spin King and Chief Trustee in Foundation of Goodness, Muttiah Muralitharan said at the press briefing.
The 2016 edition is the 5th occasion where Foundation of Goodness together with Sri Lanka Army has taken major strides to make this tournament a reality. After the opening ceremony on 20th September, the matches will take place between the 21st and 25th of September.
“The progress from the last four years shows that there’s so much of talent in North/East. One-day we might unearth a diamond who will go on to represent Sri Lanka in the junior level or the senior level, that’s our hope. Presenting them with opportunities like these is what this is all about.” Legendary batsman and trustee, Foundation of Goodness, Mahela Jayawardene said.
The five-day event will feature 16 schoolboy teams and 8 under 23 girls club teams and they will play at five grounds across Northern Sri Lanka in the towns of Jaffna, Oddusuddan, Mankulam and Killinochchi.
In the past four occasions, St. Peter’s College and Ananda College won the boy’s tournament twice each while Nittambuwa Ladies bagged the trophy last year.
Royal College, Colombo, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and Nalanda College, Colombo will play their debut tournament.
Boys Tournament – Group A – Jaffna / St. Patrick’s College grounds
1. Jaffna Combined Schools
2. Royal College, Colombo
3. Seenigama Combined Schools
4. Up Country Combined Schools
Boys Tournament – Group B – Jaffna / Central College Grounds
1. Central College, Jaffna
2. St. Joseph’s College, Colombo
3. Monaragala Combined Schools
4. Zahira College, Maradana
Boys Tournament – Group C – Killinochchi / Central College Grounds
1. Killinochchi-Mulathivu Combined Schools
2. Nalanda College, Colombo
3. Kalutara Vidyalaya
4. St. Aloysius’ College, Rathnapura
Boys Tournament – Group D – Mullathivu/IODR Oval
1. Mannar-Vauniya Combined Schools
2. Kingswood College, Kandy
3. Mahinda College, Galle
4. Trinco/Batti Combined Schools
Ladies Tournament – Group A
1.ttambuwa Ladies
2.Shakthi Ladies
3.North/East Combined Ladies
4.Badulla Ladies
Ladies Tournament – Group B
1. Seenigama Ladies
2. Matale Ladies
3. Polonnaruwa Ladies
4. Monaragala Ladies Academy
The tournament is funded exclusively by sponsorship and private donations with Arinma Holdings being the main sponsors of this year’s tournament. Other key sponsorship partners include Fortune, Tokyo Cement, MAS, Access, Sri Lanka Sports Association of Queensland and Subway.
