Sri Lanka: Cricket coaching for Physical Training Instructors (29 November 1998)

29 November 1998

Sri Lanka: Cricket coaching for Physical Training Instructors

By S M Jiffrey Abdeen

Over fifty Physical Training Instructors from the Hatton, Maskeliya, Bogawantalawa, Ambegamuwa, Dickoya and Dimbula Plantation Districts were given an intensive coaching in cricket by the cricket coaches attached to the Central Regional Cricket Board II at Dunbar Grounds, Hatton on Thursday and Friday.

The coaching team was led by Central Regional Coach Sunil Fernando - the coach who was instrumental in discovering Muttiah Muralitharan at St. Anthony's College and he was assisted by former Sri Lanka players Bernard Perera, Harold Ranasinghe, Chaminda Kodikara, Upali Kodituwakku and a helping was also given by district coaches N. Katheek (Hatton) and Lanka Francis (Nuwara Eliya).

The Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) who are mostly attached to schools in far flung areas like Morahenagama, Hangarapitiya, Upcot, Ingestre, Bogowantalawa, Ginigathena, Norton Bridge, Dolosbage, Padupola, Norwood Kirivinagama just name a few were taught the basics so that they could in turn spread the gospel of cricket to those in the village schools and plantations, said Sunil Fernando.

This program is unique and what had been imparted will reach a larger area in view of the fact that the participants were all attached to the schools and are permanent members of the staff. Thus most schools where cricket is virtually unheard of will take to the game as they have someone qualified to put them through their paces.

Among the participants there was also a female Urusula Tharangani attached to Sumana Maha Vidyalaya, Talawakelle who particularly impressed the Regional coaches with her approach and quick grasp of what had been taught. She drove the ball with very little flaws and also demonstrated a number of strokes which was excellent for a new comer.

The participants were also given a lecture on sports psychology and how to get the best of the tutelages, increasing the performance and also on accepting victory and defeat in the same manner. The participants in turn were thrilled in following this highly informative course, and they thanked the Kandy Regional Cricket Board and the Nuwara Eliya District CA.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)