Asian Cricket Council Rewards Groundsmen With US$50,000

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has awarded the groundsmen and curators of the Kandy, Colombo cricket field with a cash reward of  US$50,000 to thank them for their efforts in preparing the field for play even through non-stop rain.

ACC president Jay Shah announced the cash reward through a posting on X (formerly Twitter).  

“Big Shoutout to the Unsung Heroes of Cricket! The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are proud to announce a well-deserved prize money of USD 50,000 for the dedicated curators and groundsmen at Colombo and Kandy.

“Their unwavering commitment and hard work made the Asia Cup 2023 an unforgettable spectacle. From pitch perfection to lush outfields, they ensured the stage was set for thrilling cricket action. This recognition highlights the critical role these individuals play in cricket’s success. Let’s celebrate and honour their yeoman services,” Jay wrote on his X page.

The groundsmen were well prepared for the bad weather, thanks to the efforts of the national curator of Sri Lanka Cricket, Godfrey Dabare.

Dabare, who knew that the 60 men team he has under his wings will not be enough for the monumental task they will be facing, decided to hire an additional 50 labourers to help them prepare the field for cricket’s Asia Cup.

“We took about 100 labourers for a match, otherwise there are 60 skilled workers and if needed I borrow them from Pallekele, Galle, Hambantota. But because of the rain this time, I had to bring more” Dabare said to Indian Express.

Thanks to Dabare and the team’s effort, the match was only delayed for 40 minutes. In the ensuing match, India routed Sri Lanka which crowned them with their eight Asia Cup trophy.