The Past Cricketers Association (PCA) of Nalanda College has appointed Nelson Mendis as the head coach of the under 14, under 16 and under 19 first eleven cricket teams.

Nelson Mendis is well known in the cricketing circles and is one of the finest coaches in Sri Lanka having produced many top cricketers in the past. Milton de Silva will be the assistant coach responsible for the first eleven cricket team during the 2003/04 season.

The Past Cricketers Association have also set up a committee on coaching comprising messrs Lalith Kaluperuma, Hemantha Devappriya, Roshan Mahanama together with the Principal of Nalanda College, head coach, prefect of games and the President of the PCA. The formulation of a new coaching structure in which the duties of active training of the first eleven team will be handled by an assistant coach while the head coach is overall responsible for Nalanda cricket.

The Past Cricketers Association has also set up a Cricket Academy and presently there are over 60 students selected from grade 4 to 6 undergoing training. The period of training is two years after which they would be available for the under 14 teams. Nelson Mendis was instrumental in setting up this unit and he will be assisted by Leslie Narangoda who is also a past cricketer of Nalanda.

Nelson Mendis also conducted a cricket workshop for the senior cricket pool recently and this workshop was handled by messrs Owen Matau (batting), Champaka Ramanayake (bowling) Gamini Perera (spin bowling), Kumara Dharmasena (fielding), Hemantha Devappriya (batting and wicket keeping) and Oshadie Weerasinghe (spin bowling). In addition a one day outbound training and a course on motivation, team work and leadership will be held just prior to the commencement of the season.

Meanwhile the Past Cricketers Association have appointed a panel of visiting experts comprising of past cricketers of Nalanda College. They are Bandula Warnapura, Lalith Kaluperuma, Roshan Mahanama, Kumara Dharmasena, Mahela Jayawardena, Hemantha Devappriya, Gamini Wickremasinghe and Susantha Karunaratne.

They will be in charge of selected areas of expertise and concentrate on excelling through technical advise and practice.

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He has created a celebrity-line of actors on stage who has followed in his footsteps and are at the top in both contemporary teledramas and films. He created an image in society through his portrayal of 'Sudu Seeya', the isolated intellect in 'Doo Daruwo'. As a gesture of gratitude for that long and tedious walk through the passage of performing arts besides his contribution towards literature, theatre production and song writing, actor Henry Jayasena will be honoured by Nalanda College Colombo this evening by presenting him with the 'Nalanda Keerthi Shri'.

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It has been decided to form an association comprising past cricketers who represented Nalanda College in order to maintain a high standard of cricket in school.

Facilitating the development of well disciplined cricketers of good calibre for selection at all levels of national cricket as well as to ensure that those who represent school are well positioned in society being the vision of the proposed association.

A special general meeting has been convened on June 21 at 3 00 pm at Malalasekera Hall at Nalanda College under the chairmanship of the Nalanda principal. All those who are eligible to be members of the Nalanda College Past Cricketers Association are invited to be present.

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Nalanda Glory 2002, a trade fair and carnival to raise funds for the proposed sports complex and gymnasium will be held from December 6-8 at Sathutu Uyana, Vihara Maha Devi Park.

The total cost of the project has been estimated around Rs. 50 million. Nalanda Glory 2002 is expected to pump at least Rs. 2 million to the proposed sports complex project. The theme for Nalanda Glory 2002 organised by the Nalanda College Old Boys Association will be Way too Much Fun. A comprehensive publicity programme, in electronic and print media, in addition to poster campaigns, banners and hoardings will be launched.

Trade stalls, food stalls, kiddies games, beer garden and military and police exhibitions will be among the attractions. Musical entertainment will be provided by Marians, Flash Back and Saman and the Clan.

The project was officially launched by Minister of Irrigation and Water Management, Gamini Jayawickrema Perera at a media conference at Mahaweli Centre on October 15. Among the Old Nalandians who addressed the gathering were Minister of Lands Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Opposition leader, Mahinda Rajapakse, Telecom Chairman Thilanga Sumathipala, Nalanda College Principal, Hemantha Prematilaka.

The organising committee of Nalanda Glory will join four Old Boys' Unions and form a group to carry out a four year plan to generate funds for the Sports Complex. Nalanda Walk, organised by the Junior OBU, a musical show, a dinner dance are some of the activities under this four year plan.

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