Ananda College’ stun Nalanda College to break the hoodoo and became the Champions of Olcott Memorial Trophy 2023 in UAE and Nalanda College became the runner-up. Mahinda and Dharmasoka College took Honors by winning Plate and Shield finals at the 14th Olcott Cricket Tournament held in UAE.
14th Sir Henry Steel Olcott Schools Cricket Tournament organized by Olcott Alumni UAE was held on 26th February 2023 at Sharjah English School ground and newly appointed Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United Arab Emirates H.E Udaya Indrarathna graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The event, which has become a permanent fixture in the local cricket calendar in the United Arab Emirates, was participated with old boys of seven Olcott Schools (excluding Rahula) and Sri Lankan cricket lovers living in the United Arab Emirates was an entertaining day with lot of excitement.
The top 4 ranked teams of league stage played semi-final where Ananda beat Dharmapala and Nalanda beating Mahinda to reach Championship trophy final. Losers of semi-final Mahinda and Dharmapala played the plate final whereas Dharmraja the 5th ranked team and Dharmasoka the 6th ranked team played the Shield final.
Two unbeaten teams during league stage and 2nd round, Ananda and Nalanda, the arch rivals gave spectators to witness a worthy final for the trophy championship. Ananda College secured a dramatic victory off the final ball against Nalanda College to become the Olcott Trophy champions for the 2nd occasion. Dinesh De Silva of Ananda College adjudged as the Player of the Final while Namal Gunawardena of Nalanda College adjudged as Best Batsman and Kushan Wijewardena of Ananda College adjudged as Best Bowler of the Trophy Championship.
Mahinda College became winner of the Plate final and Dharmapala College became Runner-Up. Ajith Sooriyaarachchi of Mahinda College adjudged as the Man of the Final while Milinda Madhawa of Dharmapala College adjudged as Best Batsman and Kasun Thilina of Mahinda College adjudged as Best Bowler of the Plate Championship.
Dharmasoka College beat Dharmaraja College to become winner of Shield final. Pasindu Wanniarachchi of Dharmasoka College adjudged as the Man of the Final while Niran Wijesena of Dharmaraja College adjudged as Best Batsman and Kasun Edirisinghe of Dharmasoka College adjudged as Best Bowler of the Shield Championship.
Dharmasoka College ladies won the exhibition match played between Mahinda College ladies while Olcott Memorial Veterans trophy won by Maliyadeva College beating Combine Schools Veteran Team.
The tournament was organized by the Sri Lankan Olcott Schools Alumni in the United Arab Emirates for the 14th consecutive year and Ambassador H.E.Udaya Indraratne graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor and distributed the award for the winners.