The VIMAN Street Cricket Cup was officially launched at a press conference held on January 21, 2025, at Cinnamon Grand. This transformative initiative, led by John Keells Properties under its VIMAN suburban living vertical, aims to foster women’s cricket at the grassroots level in Sri Lanka. Chamari Athapaththu, captain of Sri Lanka’s Women’s National Cricket Team and a trailblazer in the sport, has joined hands with VIMAN and John Keells Properties, bringing her leadership and passion to this inspiring initiative.
The tournament, scheduled for February 2, 2025, will feature school cricketers from over 8 schools across Sri Lanka competing in the U16 and U19 age groups. This initiative highlights a commitment to identifying and nurturing talent while creating awareness and opportunities for women in sports.
At the launch, the official logo of the tournament was unveiled, featuring one of Chamari Athapaththu’s iconic shots from the Women’s Asia Cup, where Sri Lanka clinched a historic victory last year. The logo symbolizes the tournament’s vision of inclusivity, talent development, and community engagement.
Speaking at the event, Nadeem Shums, Head of Sales and Marketing at John Keells Properties, remarked:
“We are thrilled to partner with Chamari Athapaththu, a true icon of Sri Lankan cricket, to launch the VIMAN Street Cricket Cup. This initiative represents a significant step in empowering young women cricketers across the country, starting with promoting women’s cricket at the grassroots level. At John Keells Properties, we are deeply committed to redefining the future of our nation by investing in its people and building opportunities for growth. Chamari’s passion and dedication to the sport make her the perfect partner to champion this initiative. Together, we aim to inspire the next generation of women cricketers and help them realize their potential, building a stronger future for sports in Sri Lanka.”
Chamari Athapaththu expressed her pride in the initiative, stating:
“As the captain of the Sri Lankan women’s cricket team, I feel a profound responsibility to empower and nurture the next generation of women cricketers in our country. I firmly believe that the most impactful way to achieve this is by identifying talented young girls passionate about the sport and creating opportunities for them to thrive, excel, and grow into their fullest potential. It is with immense pride and joy that I have partnered with John Keells Properties to launch the VIMAN Street Cricket Cup – an inspiring initiative designed to unearth hidden talent, provide young girls with a platform to showcase their skills, and ignite their dreams of representing Sri Lanka on the global stage. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future in women’s cricket.”
The VIMAN Street Cricket Cup reflects John Keells Properties’ dedication to empowering Sri Lanka’s youth, particularly young women, through sports and community initiatives.
For more information about the VIMAN project, please contact John Keells Properties at 0706 068 068.
VIMAN by John Keells Properties
VIMAN redefines modern suburban living across six acres of land, with 65% of the space dedicated to greenery and open areas. Located in the heart of Ja-Ela, VIMAN features 418 thoughtfully designed apartments and over 15 amenities, creating a serene sanctuary for families to thrive. Its prime location ensures easy access to the Colombo Port Access Highway, enabling a seamless 30-minute commute between Ja-Ela and Colombo.
With its vision of “Creating New Worlds,” John Keells Properties continues to lead transformative projects that combine community, sustainability, and modern living.
