The Sri Lanka Canada Association of Ottawa SLCAO held their annual tri-city Softball Cricket tournament this July, but with a brand new format that gave a second Ottawa team the chance to compete for the Championship Trophy.
Although the Montreal team came away victorious, the SLCAO’s new tournament format went off without a hitch and brought out over 150 players and spectators to watch and participate in the matches held at McCarthy Park in Ottawa.
A tradition with the SLCAO for over 35 years, the Ottawa tournament typically hosted teams from Toronto and Montreal during the Civic Holiday in August. Generally, the Ottawa and Montreal teams would compete on Saturday, and then the winners would play Toronto in the final on Sunday.
However, since Toronto’s team was unable to participate this year due to various circumstances, changes were made by the SLCAO to replace them with a second Ottawa team, resulting in a new triangular tournament comprised of two Ottawa teams and one Montreal team.
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The tournament also took place on July 26 and 27, instead of the long weekend, to maximize crowd participation.
In the new format, the cricket matches were all held on Saturday, July 26 from noon to 7:30. The usually strong Ottawa “A” team was subdued due to the absence of few key players who were down with injuries. The powerful Montreal team easily overcame the weakened Ottawa “A” team in the final to clinch the Championship Trophy, awarded to them by SLCAO President Roshan Fernando and Vice President Naradha Kodithuwakku. Best Bowler and Man of the Match awards also went to the Montreal Team.
Sunday was dedicated to the SLCAO members and their families. Cricket tournaments were held for men, women and children under 14. Despite the on-and-off rain, the matches continued in friendly rivalry. All Cricket tournaments were of 6-side nature, each match lasting 40-50 minutes.
In the women’s competition, team Kandy Crush beat the other two teams Angry Birds and Ahindaas to become the first-ever women’s champions in this City tournament. Of the five teams in the men’s competition, teams Gajabaa and Sinhabahu edged the other teams to come to the finals. The strong Gajabaa team overcame the team Sinhabahu to clinch the trophy.
In parallel to the 6-a-side Cricket tournaments, an indoor Netball Championship was held for the 5th year in succession. Of the two level C teams, team Tulip won this year’s Championship Trophy.
2014 Tri-city Cricket Champions – Montreal Team celebrating their win. (Pictures by Nushaine Ferdinand)
The Sri Lanka Canada Association of Ottawa SLCAO held their annual tri-city Softball Cricket tournament this July, but with a brand new format that gave a second Ottawa team the chance to compete for the Championship Trophy.
Although the Montreal team came away victorious, the SLCAO’s new tournament format went off without a hitch and brought out over 150 players and spectators to watch and participate in the matches held at McCarthy Park in Ottawa.
A tradition with the SLCAO for over 35 years, the Ottawa tournament typically hosted teams from Toronto and Montreal during the Civic Holiday in August. Generally, the Ottawa and Montreal teams would compete on Saturday, and then the winners would play Toronto in the final on Sunday.
However, since Toronto’s team was unable to participate this year due to various circumstances, changes were made by the SLCAO to replace them with a second Ottawa team, resulting in a new triangular tournament comprised of two Ottawa teams and one Montreal team.
2014 Netball Champions – Tulip Team celebrating their win.
The tournament also took place on July 26 and 27, instead of the long weekend, to maximize crowd participation.
In the new format, the cricket matches were all held on Saturday, July 26 from noon to 7:30. The usually strong Ottawa “A” team was subdued due to the absence of few key players who were down with injuries. The powerful Montreal team easily overcame the weakened Ottawa “A” team in the final to clinch the Championship Trophy, awarded to them by SLCAO President Roshan Fernando and Vice President Naradha Kodithuwakku. Best Bowler and Man of the Match awards also went to the Montreal Team.
2014 Ladies Cricket Champions – Kandy Crush team celebrating their win.
Sunday was dedicated to the SLCAO members and their families. Cricket tournaments were held for men, women and children under 14. Despite the on-and-off rain, the matches continued in friendly rivalry. All Cricket tournaments were of 6-side nature, each match lasting 40-50 minutes.
In the women’s competition, team Kandy Crush beat the other two teams Angry Birds and Ahindaas to become the first-ever women’s champions in this City tournament. Of the five teams in the men’s competition, teams Gajabaa and Sinhabahu edged the other teams to come to the finals. The strong Gajabaa team overcame the team Sinhabahu to clinch the trophy.
2014 Mens Six-a-side Cricket Champions – Gajabaa Team celebrating their win.
In parallel to the 6-a-side Cricket tournaments, an indoor Netball Championship was held for the 5th year in succession. Of the two level C teams, team Tulip won this year’s Championship Trophy.
