Schaffter urges Ratwatte: Persuade politicians to play cricket (25 August 1999)
The present Sri Lanka Cricket manager Chandra Schaffter who was the guest of honour of the cricket award ceremony at the Nationalised Services Cricket Association said that the coming forward of Clifford Ratwatte as a contestant at the last Cricket
25-Aug-1999
25 August 1999
Schaffter urges Ratwatte: Persuade politicians to play cricket
Ranjan Anandappa
The present Sri Lanka Cricket manager Chandra Schaffter who was the
guest of honour of the cricket award ceremony at the Nationalised
Services Cricket Association said that the coming forward of Clifford
Ratwatte as a contestant at the last Cricket Board Annual General
Meeting was a blessing in disguise for the betterment of the
country's cricket.
Schaffter deputising for Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who was
the chief guest but did not turn up due to unavoidable circumstances
at the 9th NSCA Cricket Award ceremony urged the president of the
NSCA Clifford Ratwatte to persuade politicians to play cricket
because it teaches them many lessons.
"Cricket is a great game which teaches many lessons. Most of the
games could be played for personnel glory but cricket undoubtedly is
a team game where you got to obey the umpire to play for the team,"
said Schaffter.
He further said that Mr. Ratwatte's nomination for the Cricket Board
presidency came at the appropriate time as what the previous regime
did was certainly not cricket said Schaffter.
He concluded saying that the NSCA has produced excellent cricketers
and has a proud history and takes pride in what they have done.
Clifford Ratwatte the president of the NSCA in his welcome address
lauded the late Cricket Board President Gamini Dissanayake who
provided them with a ground at Ratmalana and observed a minute
silence in honour of him and the service personnel who have
sacrificed their lives for the country.
"I congratulate the winners as well as the losers in a very
competitive tournament and the committee which has done a very
efficient job in organising the function," said Ratwatte.
Ratwatte further said that he is hoping to improve the facilities at
the Nationalised Services Cricket Grounds at Ratmalana particularly
the pitch and the standards of the pavilion.
In the main league tournament Petroleum Corporation won the 'A'
division title. Petroleum also won the 'A' division knock out
tournament and Kabool Lanka was the runner-up.
Sri Lanka Transport Board and Kabool Lanka Ltd. finished winner and
runner-up in the 'A' division six-a-side.
Source :: The Daily News (https://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/)