At a press briefing held at Jade Garden Restaurant on Friday, the president MCA, Gehan Siribaddana and secretary MCA, Tissa Madigasekera spell out at the program of the tournament. Gehan said that this year's tournament has attracted 15 teams with eight teams, making their debut - M. J. F. Group, Saman Silva SC, Habib Bank, Ceylon Shipping SC, Amico Group, Mabroc Teas, J. L. Morison Sons and Colombo Dockyard.
MCA is indeed tankful to Access International (Pvt) Ltd., for coming forward to sponsor this tournament.
Tissa said that the tournament proper will begin on January 10 and the matches will be played at the above five venues MCA, Health grounds, Malay grounds, Shalika grounds and Wesley College grounds. Eight teams will play in the group 'A' - Union Assurance Ltd., M.J.F. Group, Samson Silva SC, Arpico 'B' Habib Bank, Forbes and Walker, Hemas Group, Ceylon Shipping SC.
Group 'B' - Maritime Holdings, Amico Group, Mabroic Teas, J. L. Morison Sons, Kelani Cables, Colombo Dockyard, Air Lanka Catering 'A' (seven teams).
The Group 'A' winner and Group 'B' winner will clash in the final to be played on March 13.
The champions will be presented the Access Group Challenge Trophy and cash, the runner-up Access Group trophy and cash. In addition, the sponsors will present trophies and cash awards to the best bowler, best batsman and man of the final.
Srilal Rajapakse, treasurer MCA, Shan Juranpathy, tournament secretary MCA, Siri Fernando, administrative manager MCA were associated at the press briefing.