SHARJAH: Sri Lankan cricket fans in the UAE can expect some calypso-style cricket this weekend when the alumni of two famous schools in Moratuwa, St Sebastian’s College and Prince of Wales College stage their 5th ‘Battle of the Golds’ encounter on Friday, March 23 at the Al Batayeh Cricket ground in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
St Sebastian’s is captained by Suneth Mendis and the Cambrians by Chamara Fernando. The match starts at 9.30 am, and with a short break for prayers, the event is scheduled to be over by 3pm.
St Sebastian’s will look to extend their winning streak, having won the annual battle in the last three successive years while Cambrians will go all out to regain the trophy they won in the inaugural fixture in 2014.
The cricketing magic generated by the traditional ‘Battle of the Golds’ in Sri Lanka will in some ways be replicated at the Sharjah event with a fun-filled day awaiting the old boys of both schools, their fans and families. This year’s event is being made even more colourful with the addition of a ladies match along with a veterans (over 40) match. Food stalls at the venue will serve Sri Lankan style breakfast and lunch.
The organisers of the event have invited Sri Lankans in the UAE to attend and enjoy the event and in the process, experience the excitement of the good old city of Moratuwa, which has produced world-class cricketers.
The former Western band members of St Sebastian’s College will turn out a Sri Lankan style ‘papare band” while old boys from both schools and their supporters will be able to swing to the baila music that Moratuwa is famous for with acoustic guitars and drums stepping up the tempo in the pavilion.
