Speaking at a press conference at the Nomads Sports Club (Colombo Municipality) Miss Rohini Fernando, Secretary of the Association said that this is the first ever tournament organised by them. ``There will be a leather ball and tennis ball competition. The leather ball competition will be only for clubs and 10 clubs have entered so far. For the tennis ball competition which is open to schools and clubs, 18 schools and 16 clubs have registered for the tournament,'' said Miss Fernando.
Mrs. Shiami Gooneratne, wife of C. V. Gooneratne, Minister of Industrial Development and the President of the CDWCA mentioned that the aim of the association is to broadbase the game of cricket by taking it to the outstations. This being the first tournament it was decided to hold it in Colombo, but the rest of the tournaments will be held in the outstations. The aim of the association is to promote sportsmanship, and promote it especially in the underprivileged areas,'' concluded Mrs. Gooneratne.
Mrs. Algernon Francke, Tournament Secretary of the association outlining the events to be held said that the tournament will be in three sectors. The schools section and the two clubs sections. ``There are teams from Gampaha, Anuradhapura and Gampola participating. On June 13 (Saturday), the softball tournament will be held for schools and clubs. The finals will be held on June 14 (Sunday). We hope to introduce leather ball cricket to the schools. The teams will play each other for the Coca Cola Trophy. The winners of the leather ball competition will receive a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 plus the trophy while the runners-up will walk away with Rs. 2,500.
The winners of the schools softball tournament will receive Rs. 3,000 with the runners-up getting Rs. 1,500. The clubs tennis ball winners will receive Rs. 4,000 and the runners up Rs. 2,000. All participants will be given a certificate. All balls for the tournament will be provided by the organisers. Apart from the team awards individual awards for the Best Batswoman and Best Bowler and also the Woman of the Final will be distributed at the awards ceremony at which the chief guests will be the Minister of Industrial Development, C. V. Gooneratne (who is the patron of the association) and Mr. Keerthi Adasuriya, the General Manager of Pure Beverages Ltd,'' explained Mr. Francke in conclusion.
Mr. Jagath Pattiarachchi, Business Development Manager of Pure Beverages, speaking on behalf of the sponsors said that they were glad to be involved in the tournament and hoped that the ground will be ``full of men'' to support the women's tournament and wished the tournament all success.