The Foundation of Goodness Seenigama Sports Academy Regional Schools U-15 cricket team returned to Sri Lanka as champions last week, holding high the KAF International Youth Cricket Tournament Cup in their debut international tour.

The 3rd KAF International Cricket tournament 2009, was held in Malaysia earlier this month.

Sri Lanka-born Australian David Cruse, an ardent supporter of the Foundation of Goodness, sponsored two tsunami affected school cricketers, Seeniama’s Pulina Tharanga from Devananda College, Ambalangoda and Royalist Anjana Kudahetty, both of whom had previously represented the Sri Lanka U-15 team, to attend the tournament.

Thanks to the hard work, commitment and compassion of many involved, spearheaded by David, this dream came true for 12 young boys from eight schools in the Seenigama region.

This was a wonderful opportunity for the boys who have benefited from the beautiful facilities built in two local schools by Surrey County Cricket Club and Marylebone Cricket Club. These grounds were built soon after the tsunami in 2004, transforming a damp marsh at Seenigama Sri Wimala Buddhi MV and a gravel ground at Sri Sumangala College, Hikkaduwa, into two of the best school level cricket facilities outside Colombo. Since then, both Surrey County Cricket Club and MCC have continued to provide support for cricket development, in terms of maintenance, coaching costs and other support to ensure that children from the villages have the chance to excel in a sport that is all too often dominated by their urban affluent peers.

The Sri Sumangala ground, which includes indoor nets incorporated into the pavilion, the first of its kind, as well as a beautiful astro turf wicket, provides the ideal location for monthly specialist cricket coaching camps. The Royal Lancers 9-11 and the Panter family, members of MCC, came to Sri Lanka to help in the rebuilding efforts after the tsunami. Facilitated by Jayantissa Ratwatte and the other MCC Sri Lankan local trustees Vijaya Malalasekera, Ajith Dias and Mano Ponniah, they joined forces with the Foundation of Goodness and identified this initiative as a long term investment in the development of the area and the future prospects of village children.

Specialist coaches, Hemantha Devapriya and Susantha Karunaratne conduct camps for the best cricketers between the age groups of 11 to 19 and their coaches, from 10 schools in and around the Seenigama area.

Funds for the tour were raised thanks to part sponsorship from David Cruse, a long term supporter of the Foundation of Goodness. Sri Lanka cricketers and Foundation of Goodness trustees, Muttiah Muralidaran and Kumar Sangakkara donated signed memorabilia, which was sold in Australia. Well-wishers Ajith Dias and Dillon Peiris also generously joined the effort to make this trip a reality.

The Foundation of Goodness provided the boys with everything they needed to be able to hold their heads high, amongst the 22 cricket teams from five other countries including India, Bangladesh, Singapore, Australia and Malaysia. Tour bags, match and practise kits, cricket boots, caps, cricket equipment, air tickets and visas were provided and many commented that the team looked as smart as the Sri Lanka cricket team itself. One boy even received passport sponsorship, to ensure that no one was left out of this once-in-a lifetime opportunity.

For the 12 boys, this was their first time in a plane, the first time in a hotel; for some, it was even their first time in Colombo. The chance to compete internationally was truly a momentous opportunity for them.

Accompanying the team were Seenigama Sports Academy cricket head coach Anjula Mendis, cricket coordinator, Amal De Silva and Sri Sumangala coach/master-in-charge, Ranjan Nanayakkara.

The benefits of this tour for the children are long lasting and will manifest themselves in many ways. Increased confidence, communication skills and team work, flexibility, maturity of character can already be seen in the demeanour of the boys. Some children have even received sponsorship from Australian followers who saw them play so well and have come forward to help them develop their skills.

The Foundation of Goodness team also won the Bowl-out Championship.

Special awards were presented to Chamindu Kalana from Madampagama Central College, Ambalangoda, who won the Man of the Final award and Akila Udesh, also from Madampagama Central College, who won the Best Wicketkeeper of the Tournament award in this Super8 Cricket Series.

FoG played a total of 13 matches, won 10, lost one, while two games were called off due to rain.

Having finished as group leaders in Round 1 and second in the group in Round 2, the team was under tremendous pressure, as they came out to field in the quarter final against Kajang High School, Malaysia. However FoG won by seven wickets. In the semi-final, against Victoria Institution, Malaysia, FoG won the toss and chose to bat. After losing three wickets in the first two overs, and when everyone thought this game was lost, with great concentration and determination FoG managed to win by 13 runs.

The final was a time of great tension, especially amongst the team managers and supporters, while the boys tried to focus on the game. However, against all expectations, they managed to beat Penang Free School, the the pre-tournament favourites and winners of the previous two years, also from Malaysia by seven runs.