Student Blog

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A 140-Year-Old Cricket Rivalry

With the perfect season for outdoor activities upon us, I had the opportunity to learn about a fascinating sports event from my Sri Lankan friend, Nashath. He shared his experiences from his high school days, particularly about one of the most prestigious sporting events in Sri Lanka.

Nashath attended Royal College, a national school with thousands of students ranging from 1st to 13th grade. During his time there, he served as the Student Council President, overseeing all events and student organizations. However, the most exciting event of all was the annual cricket match against St. Thomas' College, where teams competed for the prestigious Senanayake Shield.

Leading fellow students in cheering as a leader.

This cricket rivalry has an impressive history spanning over 140 years and is one of the longest-running cricket matches in the world, lasting for three days. The event is so popular that even the President of Sri Lanka attends, alongside many locals. To put it into a Japanese perspective, it could be compared to the legendary Waseda-Keio (Sokei-sen) university rivalry.

On the match day, the entire city comes alive with street stalls, dance performances, and enthusiastic crowds. But the real highlight of the event, Nashath told me, is the bicycle parade. As music plays throughout the streets, large groups of supporters ride bicycles, forming a lively procession towards the venue. He described it as nothing short of a carnival.

Although cricket is not yet a widely recognized sport in Japan, perhaps this story will spark some interest. Why not take this opportunity to explore the world of cricket?

DEEN Mohamed Nashath
(Nickname: Nashat)
College of International Management, 3rd year

Originally published in Japanese in the morning edition of the Oita Godo Shimbun on November 26, 2024

Sakaguchi Sora

Bonjour! I'm Sora, a third-year student majoring in APM at APU. Since fall 2023, I've been studying abroad in France for a year. By sharing my experiences as an APU student and my study abroad experiences, I aim to convey the allure of international exchange to everyone.