The grand opening of the MCC Centre of Excellence in Seenigama, sponsored by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and a group of other co-sponsors, was witnessed by local and international guests, along with the local community, making it a day to remember. Dignitaries in attendance were Mr Mike Brearley, President of the Marylebone Cricket Club, UK (MCC), Mr Keith Bradshaw (MCC Chief Executive), John Stephenson (MCC Head of Cricket), Mr Roger Knight (MCC former CEO/Secretary), Mr Tom Seabrook (MCC Member), Mr Vijaya Malalasekera, Mr Ajith Dias and Mr Mano Ponniah, the local MCC Trustees.

Dr Prabath Nanayakkara, a senior medical specialist from the Netherlands Free University Hospital (VU Medisch Centrum) was also present. It was an honour to have him as one of our important guests, having co-sponsored the medical centre.

Built on the grounds of the FoG’s founder/trustee Kushil Gunasekera’s ancestral home, it has brought new meaning to learning for this tsunami affected community and comprises of a medical centre, business skills development centre, women’s enterprise division, computer training centre, an English teaching school, pre-school, an environment project management, rebuilding lives programme, handicraft centre, tsunami gallery, MCC gallery, an administration office and an accommodation villa for volunteers, donors and trainers.

The ceremony began in traditional style with a garland presentation and the unveiling of the Lord’s official plaque at the MCC Centre of Excellence by Mr Mike Brearley, followed by the lighting of the traditional oil lamp along with other dignitaries. The formalities ended with speeches from MCC associates and Mr Gunasekera, on the impact this development has had on the village community.

‘I thank the Marylebone Cricket Club in the UK for having charity in their heart and for making a positive difference for the better being the landmark learning and wellness centre in the context of a rural village’ said Mr Gunasekara, who no doubt showed heartfelt gratitude towards the MCC in undertaking the development of this unique project.

In his speech, Mr Tom Seabrook recognized the hard work shown in constructing a well equipped modern facility catering to the needs of over 20 villages in the Seenigama region.
‘I appreciate the outstanding effort made by Kushil and admiration to him and his team for the work they have done,’ he said.

Mr Mike Brearley was equally impressed with the results. ‘It is heartwarming to see a vision come to fruition and to know that MCC has played some part in that,’ he said.

With the completion of the formalities, the attendees were given the opportunity to tour the extensive facilities, during which the highlight was a traditional dance and drama performed by the youngsters from the pre-school which the guests found greatly entertaining.

The day of excitement continued with the opening of the new cricket ground, the pavilion and the indoor nets at Sri Sumangala College in Hikkaduwa, another amazing project sponsored by the MCC. Once the formalities of speeches and the hoisting of the flags by dignitaries were complete, the MCC Spirit of Cricket skills programme which was in progress for the Under-11 cricketers, appeared to be the main focus.

Thousands of spectators gathered in anticipation for the official opening of the cricket ground by a Twenty20 match between the MCC and a local team including former stars put together by the Foundation of Goodness, with Mr Gunasekara himself captaining the team.

As the game began people crowded around different vantage points, some sitting on the boundary edge, others perched high on rocks near the ground, whilst others settling to the comfort of the shady pavilion, enjoying the game nonetheless. Sri Lankan cricket matches of course involves its own musical commentary, with trumpeters and drummers bringing a tune whilst the action is announced over the PA.

It was a close match which went down to the wire, with the local team finally beating the MCC team by near 3 runs. The MCC side featured former star cricketer Mr Aravinda De Silva and Mr Keith Bradshaw from MCC.

The ground is a fabulous project in that this school has been playing cricket for 53 years in all age categories of the Sri Lanka schools cricket tournament by way of a gravel/clay venue with a matting strip at the centre which has now been upgraded to a beautiful lush green cricket ground, with an Astroturf which will harness the skills and talent of rural children to a different dimension. It is understandably the first school’s pavilion that incorporates 2 cricket indoor nets which is historic and all credit to the MCC.
The current Sri Lankan skipper Mr Mahela Jayawardena made the point that 15 such venues in the rural communities spread wide will take Sri Lankan cricket into another dimension.
The closing of the day’s events involved a group of school girls in brightly coloured attire, taking to the outfield to perform the traditional Sri Lankan dances, bringing a sense of fun and unity among this community once devastated by the tsunami but now rebuilt with renewed hope, with the display of projecting a THANK YOU to the MCC in creative style.

‘Difficulties mastered are opportunities won’

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