Island News Item
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday officially unveiled a world-class Provincial Centre of Excellence for Cricket in Kandy, heralding a new chapter in high performance training and preparation for Sri Lanka’s cricketers. The new facility, the first of four proposed provincial Centres of Excellence is part of SLC’s ambitious National Development Plan to create a catalyst for all training and development activities across various districts to support every young aspiring cricketer from the grassroots level upwards.
The newly completed five strip, state-of-the-art indoor training facility at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium officially declared opened by the Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara and President SLC Thilanga Sumathipala will be the first fully-fledged centre dedicated to the development of Cricket in Sri Lanka. It is the vision of SLC to see that every young exceptional player is given a just and fair opportunity to represent the country and the centre will serve as a significant feature of their promising sporting careers.
The newly installed floodlights of the side-wickets were also inaugurated this week. The completion of the indoor nets together with the floodlighting of the side-wickets marks the completion of the first phase of SLC’s ambitious plans to establish four Provincial Centres of Excellence across the country. This Centre of Excellence when completed will feature both state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor training facilities and advanced equipment capable of enabling real-time analysis and biometrics of sporting sciences. This will facilitate coaches to enhance the development of Sri Lankan cricketers, so that they are better prepared to meet the growing demands of both domestic and international competition.
Similar centres are to be established in Colombo at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, in Galle at the Galle International Cricket Stadium and in Dambulla at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. According to the Strategic Corporate Plan of SLC, the provincial Centres of Excellence is part of a nationwide campaign and development plan to identify young exceptional cricketers and to provide them with the support they need to carve their niche in this sport. Plans are afoot to upgrade and develop each of the stadiums to meet stringent high performance needs with state-of-the-art facilities such as floodlit side wickets, top-range indoor nets with IT connectivity.
The Centre will simulate various match surfaces while bio mechanical and advanced motion analysis systems will help High Performance Managers to understand and maximize a player’s potential. Facilities such as plunge pools, medical consulting rooms, a physio treatment area, recovery and rehabilitation centres, residential facilities and a gymnasium replete with facilities will assist in the rehabilitation of injured players.
The event yesterday coincided with the start of a six-day high intensity training and conditioning programme for the National squad ahead of the Champions Trophy 2017.