SHARJAH: The alumni of two of Sri Lanka’s oldest and renowned schools, Royal and S. Thomas will stage the Middle East version of Sri Lanka’s most popular ‘Big Match’ on Friday, 23 March in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
It will be a carnival-like atmosphere that will prevail at the ‘16th Battle of the Blues’ in the UAE at the Sharjah Wanderers Sports Club grounds, commencing from 2pm. In addition to the 1st XI cricket match, the event will also feature a 2nd XI match, a veterans match, an improvised game of rugby and a ladies match. Surprises and prizes await participants and spectators.
In 1985 Heshan de Silva (Royal) and Lindon Loos (S. Thomas) captained their respective teams at the Royal-Thomian ‘Big Match in Colombo. Not in their wildest dreams did they imagine that they would lead their teams again – this time at the inaugural Royal – Thomian Old Boys’ match in the UAE in April 2000!
Since the first event of its kind was held in 2000, the ‘Gulf Battle of the Blues’ is a regular fixture in the UAE, and with the two teams consisting of highly talented players, cricket fans in the UAE can look forward to yet another exciting contest.
Above all, this much-awaited social networking event in the desert brings together former pupils and players of two of Sri Lanka’s leading schools, fans and families to enjoy a great experience in the spirit of friendship, fun and frolic complete with raffle draws, Sri Lankan cuisine and the baila beat!
In the UAE, the two schools boast of a vibrant old boys network that focuses on numerous activities apart from cricket, such as organising social events for old boys and their families, as well as supporting charity projects and initiatives undertaken by their Alma Mater back home.
The annual Royal-Thomian cricket match known as the “The Battle of the Blues”, which has been played without interruption even during the two World Wars, is one of the oldest cricket encounters in the world with its 139th edition having just concluded at the SSC grounds in Colombo.
Thousands of former students from both schools are domiciled abroad, and many of them fly to Colombo to attend their “Big Match” every year, while others belonging to the alumni associations of these two schools, and who form a key component of the Sri Lankan expatriate communities overseas, usually organize their own version of the “Big Match” in their respective countries of domicile.
