Thalawathugoda Comes Alive With Indoor Cricket Festival
The Masters World Series 2024, organised by the Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association assisted by U Pro – United Arab Emirates & U Pro – Colombo will be featuring over 800 tourists over a period of 12 days, from 26th September to 05th October. The tournament sanctioned by the World Indoor Cricket Federation, will be conducted at the Austasia Leisure & Sports Club in Thalawathugoda, Colombo District, Western Province, Sri Lanka. The now upgraded 04 indoor courts together with other infrastructure by U Pro, will provide sports tourism of the highest calibre to be much enjoyed & highly appreciated by the world indoor cricket family & the local sports lovers.
Over 500 women & men will be in action representing 42 teams from 09 nations : Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, India, Singapore & hosts, Sri Lanka. A total of 231 matches will be completed over 09 days of competition under 06 age groups : Over 30 Women, Over 35 Men, Over 40 Men, Over 45 Men, Over 50 Men & Over 55 Men.
This is the 02nd World Indoor Cricket event to be organised by Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association – the franchise holder for the sport in the island nation in the Indian Ocean. The World Indoor Cricket Open Championship was held in Sri Lanka in 2004, the only Indoor Cricket facility in the country.
Sri Lanka were runners up to Australia – the World Indoor Cricket super power. Chrishantha Peiris, Dilshan Witharana & Sachindra Gonaduwa who played in that team is also playing in this tournament. Asela Pathirana who captained side is the National Coach of Sri Lanka Indoor Cricket now.
Experienced & respected Australian, David Shepley is the Tournament Director. Hard working Director Technical, of the Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association & Sri Lanka Delegate to the World Indoor Cricket Federation, Hiran De Mel assists him.
Wishing all involved good luck & all the best ! Enjoy the competition & hospitality.
Report / Photos assisted by Hiran De Mel & Priyantha Wickramanayake