Festival Of Cricket

FOC2009

5 May 2009

Sponsorship and Trade Opportunities at Festival of Cricket 2009

Photographs Courtesy of Sesatha Web

Cricket lovely Cricket!

Kandyan Cultural Dancers and Cricketers

Typical Sri Lankan Nosh!

A cross section of spectators having a fun day

Merriment doing the Baila !

Successful events are part of the lifeblood of a successful community. Whether it's a fun day, concert or a walk to promote a good cause, good events bring people together and help cement a community. In the first year, in 1989, FOC started its membership with only 6 OBAs, and the way it initially developed and the pleasant atmosphere it continued to create over the years, made the event extremely attractive and inspirational for others to join.

FOC has grown from strength to strength, and at age 21, prominently known as an event that one can spend a wonderful Summer day with family and friends watching excellent cricketing talent combined with a very enjoyable party atmosphere throughout the day - Sri Lankan style, with its fair share of cheer, and its music and associated baila singing and dancing, and varieties of Sri Lankan and International food.

Today, in the year 2009, FOC has a membership of 24 Sri Lankan Schools OBAs, and worldwide sponsors with over 5000 attendees, annually. Many schools in Sri Lanka have been nourished by their respective OBAs and each year FOC's Grand Charity Raffle continues with their donations to Maharagama Cancer Institute for valuable medical items and facilities. FOC also make a donation to Cancer Research in the UK. In this year too, the FOC warmly welcomes new entrepreneurs and state-of-the art businesses to promote their goods and services with Sri Lankans and their friends in UK and abroad.

The FOC Committee has published the Commercial Charges and Rates for the Festival of Cricket to be held on 12 July 2009 at Winchmore Hill Cricket Club, The Paulin Ground, Ford's Grove/Firs Lane, Winchmore Hill, London N21 3ER.

Businesses can participate in the Festival of Cricket as a Gold, Silver or Bronze sponsor. A Business/Trade, Old Boys'/Girls' Association or Charity can hire a marquee for the festival to promote their product and/or service.

Organizations and Individuals can Banner advertise at the Festival, in the FOC 2009 Souvenir and/or on the FOC website http://www.festivalofcricket.org.

For more information please contact: Methsiri Wijeratna Mobile : +447956 576768 Email: wijeratna@aol.com

Download: Commercial Charges and Rates.

5 May 2009

FOC's Grand Charity Raffle in aid of Cancer Charities in Sri Lanka and UK.

Towards the beginning of 1989, while the idea of organising the Festival of Cricket was still on the drawing board, the FOC charity project was but a sparkle of thought. However, having been given a conscientious 'kick start' at the very first festival, the Grand Charity Raffle has now become an integral part of the occasion and has matured into a major fund raising project.

The Grand Charity Raffle is primarily for the benefit of Cancer patients at Maharagama Cancer Institute of Sri Lanka where it has enabled FOC to donate many valuable medical items over the years. Medical Aid to Sri Lanka, joins the FOC to recommend and organise the supply of medical equipment for Maharagama Cancer Hospital.

Since 2007, FOC also donates funds to Cancer Research UK, the UK's leading charity dedicated to Cancer research to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer, appreciating their research work.

This year's Grand Charity Raffle tickets are now on sale and can be purchased from any participating school representatives or from the Charity marquee at the Festival. For further enquiries, please contact, the Charity Sub-Committee Chairman, N. Wimalendran (07956 206709), Jazal. Marzook (07961983146) or Wickrama Waidyanatha (0788 792 542).

The Festival organising committee greatly appreciate continued support and welcome all Sri Lankans living in UK and friends, again this year to support its Grand Charity Raffle.

The Prizes of Grand Charity Raffle are :

1st Prize: 2 Return Air Tickets to Sri Lanka (Terms and conditions apply) donated by SriLankan Air Lines.

2nd Prize: 1 Return Air Ticket to Sri Lanka (Terms and conditions apply) donated by SriLankan Air Lines.

3rd Prize: A valuable painting of Sri Lankan wild life, donated by Mr. Don Hubert - De Mazenod College OBA, UK

There will be other attractive prizes donated by FOC members and well wishers, and will be updated in http://www.festivalofcricket.org

The Draw will be held at the Festival of Cricket on Sunday 12th July, 2009 at 4.00 pm, at the Winchmore Hill Cricket Club, London N21 3ER. SriLankan Airlines is the main sponsor of the FOC Grand Charity Raffle.

26 April 2009

FOC’s 21st Visit to the Sri Lanka High Commission

FOC Joint Presidents with His Excellency the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the UK – Justice Nihal Jayasinghe

FOC Team, and BOC Country Manager with His Excellency, the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the UK – Justice Nihal Jayasinghe

It was a busy day for His Excellency the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the UK – Justice Nihal Jayasinghe. However, he very graciously found some time to receive the FOC team bringing the traditional invitation to welcome him as the Chief Guest of the Festival of Cricket 2009, to be held on Sunday, 12th July, 2009 at the Winchmore Hill C.C., The Paulin Grounds, London N21 3ER.

Since its inception in 1989, and commencing with His Excellency Chandra Monarawala, The High Commissioner at that time, it has been a tradition that the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka hoists the Sri Lankan national flag , at the FOC opening ceremony.

The FOC was the brain child of Old Anandian – Mr.G.C. Perera -, at a time Civil war and ethnic unrest appeared to have enveloped the country and the words 'Unity' and 'Friendship' were at their lowest ebb. The FOC enabled feelings of unity and friendship to return, in the form of a sporting event, - the much loved game of Cricket !.

At the meeting, HE Justice Nihal Jayasinghe, was informed of the arrangements and progress of the Festival of Cricket 2009 by office bearers of the FOC 2009 team - Hon. Joint Presidents Brian Ratnayake and Jay(antha) Edirappuli, Hon. Secretary - Victor Wickramasinghe, Hon. Treasurer - Wickrama De S. Waidyanatha, Hon. Assistant Secretary - Dr. Sirinimal Fernando and Hon. Sub Committee Chairmen - Methsiri Wijeratna (Fund Raising), and N. Wimalendran (Charity).The Country Manager, Bank of Ceylon – The Main Sponsor - Cyril Madadeniya was also present (Pix by Nimal Navaratne).

19 April 2009

FOC 2009 Cricket Tournament Draw

Champions of the FOC 2008 tournament - St. Josephs College OBU	Nelanka Peiris, Skipper of St. Joseph's Team showing off 'OBA Challenge Trophy'		Runners-up of the FOC 2008 Tournament - St Sebastian College OBU
The Draw for the 21st Festival of Cricket 2009 was held at an executive committee meeting recently. Festival of Cricket 2009 will be on Sunday, 12th July at the Winchmore Hill Cricket Club, The Paulin Grounds, London N21 3ER. The tournament starts at 9 am and is expected to complete by about 8 pm. The first round of matches between 24 schools will be played from 9 am to 12 noon in ground 1, 2 and 3 of the Winchmore Hill Cricket Club.
Time	Ground	Match
0900-0945	G1	De Mazanod Vs Thurstan
0900-0945	G2	DS Senanayake Vs Mahanama
0900-0945	G3	Royal Vs Holy Cross
0945-1030	G1	Wesley Vs Dharmaraja
0945-1030	G2	Maris Stella Vs Zahira
0945-1030	G3	Trinity Vs St Sebastians
1030-1115	G1	St Benedicts Vs Richmond
1030-1115	G2	St Aloysius Vs Isipathana
1030-1115	G3	Ananda Vs St Josephs
1115-1200	G1	St Thomas Vs St Peters
1115-1200	G2	Nalanda Vs Mahinda
1115-1200	G3	St Anthonys Vs Rahula

The details and the pictures of the players, detailed time table and ground numbers of the matches will be published in May 2009. For latest updated details, please visit, http://www.festivalofcricket.org/Cricket_frame.php St. Josephs were crowned champions of the Festival of Cricket tournament 2008, whilst St. Sebastians, and St. Benedicts received the awards for the Runners-up, and Plate respectively. Nilanka Peiris captained the winning St. Joseph's Team. Man of the Tournament was Sebastianite Thushendra Soysa and Man of the Final Match was Buddhika Attanayake of St. Joseph's College. The Chairman of the Cricket sub-committee Mr. Jay(antha) Edirappuli (Ananda). He is a senior FOC member, President of FOC 2007, and the Joint President of FOC 2009 and is supported by an experienced team, including the President of FOC 2008 - Dr. Deutram Thambapillai (Royal), Parakrama De Silva (Mahinda), Azahim Mohamed (Wesley), Nazzoomi Azhar (Trinity), and Shanaka Herath (Royal). There will be a number of other activities also held around the grounds to keep the audience/visitors and children entertained throughout the day, such as Live Band music, a Sri Lankan Bazaar, International hot food stalls, Beer tent, UK and Sri Lankan based trade stalls, Children's entertainment and a Hospitality marquee to cater exclusively to those entrepreneurs who would like to entertain clients or friends on the day, whilst watching exciting cricket and sampling the culture and cuisine of Sri Lanka. The Chief guest will be Justice Nihal Jayasinghe, His Excellency the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the UK. Once again Bank of Ceylon will be the main sponsor and SriLankan Airlines the co-sponsors of FOC 2009. Arrangements for another successful event are in progress, and the FOC committee warmly welcome Sri Lankans, their friends and Sponsors in the United Kingdom and from overseas, to the Festival of Cricket 2009.

Updated on 7 April 2009

SRI LANKAN SMILES WITH THE FESTIVAL OF CRICKET

SriLankan, confirmed its commitment to co-sponsor the Festival of Cricket again this year. Arrangements were discussed at a meeting held at the London office - Central House, 3 Lampton Road, Hounslow TW3 1HY.

SriLankan Airlines, began operations in 1979, and has won numerous global awards establishing a firm reputation as a leader among Asian airlines in service, comfort, reliability, and punctuality. SriLankan is a network carrier, with rapid connections that link Europe and the Middle East on one side with Southeast Asia and the Far East on the other. SriLankan now serves 45 destinations in 25 countries in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Far East. Major destinations include London, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Rome, Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, and Dubai. As the National Carrier of Sri Lanka, SriLankan takes to the air the qualities of warmth, caring and friendliness that are a distinct part of Sri Lanka's culture.

The latest addition of SriLankan, Frequent Flyer Programme "FlySmiLes", opens doors to a world of rewards for passengers. FlySmiLes also introduced a number of partner airlines and other companies which offer members a choice to both earn and burn miles for a variety of goods and services, ranges from hotel stays to bank services, retailers, and especially SriLankan Holidays. SriLankan's smiling airline staff, both in the air and on the ground, have given the airline a global reputation for Warmth, Caring and Friendliness. Hence the name SmiLes."

SriLankan joins FOC for the 21st consecutive year. SriLankan will support FOC providing 3 Return tickets to Sri Lanka for the 1st and 2nd prize winners of the Grand Charity raffle, and 3 Return tickets to Sri Lanka, to be auctioned at the Festival. Proceeds from the Grand Charity raffle are donated to Cancer Institute of Sri Lanka and Cancer Research UK. As in previous years, SriLankan will also sponsor the live bands and provide utility support for the festival.

Since its inception in 1989, FOC has grown to be the most popular event in the social calendar of the Sri Lankan community in the UK, where they enjoy the day watching 24 teams displaying excellent cricketing talent combined with a very enjoyable party atmosphere - Sri Lankan style !!!.

Festival of Cricket 2009 will be held on Sunday, 12th July at the Winchmore Hill C.C. The Paulin Grounds, London N21 3ER.

FOC Hon. Joint President - Brian Ratnayake, completes sponsorship arrangements with Chanaka Olagama, SriLankan Airlines Manager - UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, USA & Canada.

FOC Officials at SriLankan Airlines office in the UK. L to R Wickrama De S. Waidyanatha - Hon. Treasurer (Richmond), Brian Ratnayake - Hon. Joint President (St. Peter's), Chanaka Olagama - Manager - UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, USA & Canada, SriLankan Airlines, Imasha Dahanayake - Senior Sales Support Agent, SriLankan Airlines, Methsiri Wijeratna - Chairman, Fund Raising (Nalanda), N. Wimalendran - Chairman, Charity (De Mazenod), Jeremy Soertsz - Sales Manager - UK/Ireland, SriLankan Airlines - Pictures by Nimal Navaratne.

BoC Sponsors FOC Again!
Updated on 25 Mar 2009 Bank of Ceylon, the bankers to the Sri Lankan nation, will be the main sponsor of the Festival of Cricket 2009, for the third consecutive year. The sponsorship agreement was finalised at a meeting held recently at the BOC, London Branch at No.1, Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4WD. BOC is the no. 1 bank in Sri Lanka, providing banking technology for the changing lifestyles of their customers, through a record breaking online network of 305 local and 3 overseas branches and the Off-shore Banking Unit. BoC also achieved a milestone in the Banking Industry in Sri Lanka by becoming the first commercial bank having assets of more than Rs. 400 billion. FOC is the biggest annual gathering of the Sri Lankan community and their friends in the UK and from abroad, a day of fun and excitement for all who attend. The event commences at 9 am and completes at about 8 pm. FOC has attracted over 5000 people annually, and is organized by a committee, made up of representatives of Sri Lankan Schools Old Boys Associations, resident in the UK. Proceeds from the Grand Charity raffle are donated to Cancer Institute of Sri Lanka and Cancer Research UK. Festival of Cricket 2009 will be held on Sunday, 12th July at the Winchmore Hill C.C. Grounds, London N21 3ER. For more information visit www.festivalofcricket.org.

FOC Team with BOC Country Manager. L to R Methsiri Wijeratna (Chairman, Fund Raising), Wickrama De S. Waidyanatha (Hon. Treasurer), Jay(antha) Edirappuli (Hon. Joint President), Cyril Madadeniya (Country Manager, Bank of Ceylon), Brian Ratnayake (Hon. Joint President), Victor Wickramasinghe (Hon. Secretary). - Pictured by Nimal Navaratne.

FOC appoints two Joint Presidents

25 February 2009

Brian Ratnayake

(St Peters)

Jay Edirappuli

(Ananda)

With the further appointment of Joint Hon. Presidents: Brian Ratnayake (St. Peter's) and Jay(antha) Edirappuli (Ananda), the Hon. Secretary: Victor Wickremasinghe (St. Joseph's), Hon. Treasurer: Wickrama Waidyanatha (Richmond), the Executive Committee and sub-committees are moving steadily along with arrangements for a very enjoyable day of sport and conviviality. The main sponsor again for the third consecutive year, will be Sri Lanka's No.1. Bank - The Bank of Ceylon - to whom we extend our grateful thanks. The Festival is not confined, only to Sri Lankans and friends in the United Kingdom. Other interested sponsors too and friends from overseas are most welcome, especially those who would like to know more about "SERENDIB" the Resplendant Holiday Isle, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, and to enjoy the day watching 24 teams of excellent cricketing talent combined with a very enjoyable party atmosphere throughout the day - Sri Lankan style !!!.