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The present Sri Lanka Cricket manager Chandra Schaffter who was the guest of honour of the cricket award ceremony at the Nationalised Services Cricket Association said that the coming forward of Clifford Ratwatte as a contestant at the last Cricket Board Annual General Meeting was a blessing in disguise for the betterment of the country's cricket.

Schaffter deputising for Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who was the chief guest but did not turn up due to unavoidable circumstances at the 9th NSCA Cricket Award ceremony urged the president of the NSCA Clifford Ratwatte to persuade politicians to play cricket because it teaches them many lessons.

``Cricket is a great game which teaches many lessons. Most of the games could be played for personnel glory but cricket undoubtedly is a team game where you got to obey the umpire to play for the team,'' said Schaffter.

He further said that Mr. Ratwatte's nomination for the Cricket Board presidency came at the appropriate time as what the previous regime did was certainly not cricket said Schaffter.

He concluded saying that the NSCA has produced excellent cricketers and has a proud history and takes pride in what they have done.

Clifford Ratwatte the president of the NSCA in his welcome address lauded the late Cricket Board President Gamini Dissanayake who provided them with a ground at Ratmalana and observed a minute silence in honour of him and the service personnel who have sacrificed their lives for the country.

``I congratulate the winners as well as the losers in a very competitive tournament and the committee which has done a very efficient job in organising the function,'' said Ratwatte.

Ratwatte further said that he is hoping to improve the facilities at the Nationalised Services Cricket Grounds at Ratmalana particularly the pitch and the standards of the pavilion.

In the main league tournament Petroleum Corporation won the 'A' division title. Petroleum also won the 'A' division knock out tournament and Kabool Lanka was the runner-up.

Sri Lanka Transport Board and Kabool Lanka Ltd. finished winner and runner-up in the 'A' division six-a-side.