Sports Ministry distributes sports equipment to schools without cricket

The distribution of cricket equipment to schools in the Western Province was held today (June 06) under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Sports, Minister Sugath Thilakaratne, in conjunction with the School Cricket Development Program implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports with the aim of ‘Identifying children with cricket skills at the regional level by improving access to cricket’.

It is hoped that a foundation will be laid for the creation of a strong national cricket team and that cricket will be developed as an industry through the identification of human resources. Side wickets and cricket equipment were provided to 30 selected new schools (where cricket is not currently played) in the Western Province.

Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne, officials of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, principals of selected schools in the Western Province, teachers and school students participated in this event.

Participating in this event, Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne said that it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to provide the necessary facilities for the development of sports, and therefore, such good programs that have been implemented so far will continue to be implemented.

The Deputy Minister said that this program is being carried out targeting all districts and that its benefits will be received by children from all schools that play cricket. He further said that he expects that providing these cricket equipment will help their sports life as there are many children who do not have the means to purchase sports equipment.

The Deputy Minister addressed the school children and asked them to make the most of the facilities available to them as the future generation who will take charge of the future of the country and to maintain a balance between sports and education.

Sports are expected to produce good, healthy citizens, and the government will continue to provide the necessary infrastructure for sports, Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne said.