The Sri Lanka Embassy in Rome, Italy took part in the Commonwealth Club Cricket Cup
2024 and Commonwealth Food Fair organised by the Commonwealth Club of Rome, Italy, in
collaboration with the Italian Cricket Federation held last weekend on Saturday, 28 th
September 2024 at the Roma Cricket Ground, Via Valle di Perna SNC Spinaceto. First time
entrant to the Cricket tournament, the Sri Lanka Embassy Team won the Runner Up Trophy.

The Embassy played in two 5 over matches in its Group B category. Ambassador Satya
Rodrigo won the toss and the Sri Lanka Embassy team fielded first and limited the British
Embassy team to 32 runs and defeated the British Embassy by posting 74 runs, not out
setting the highest record of the tournament, beating a previous record set by Bangladesh
for 65 runs. For the second match, the Sri Lanka Embassy Team played against the
Bangladesh Embassy, who had won the Champions Trophy for 2023, and defeated them
with 58 runs against their 42 runs. The Sri Lanka Embassy then played in the semi-finals
against the Commonwealth Team. The Embassy batted first posting 65 runs and lost to the
Commonwealth Club Team who posted 66 runs, in a nail-biting finish down to one run from
the last ball, to lose to the Commonwealth Club Team that won the Champions Trophy and
the Sri Lanka Embassy won the Runner Up Trophy. The Sri Lanka Team Uniform was
sponsored by Soloviaggi S.R.L. Travel agent in Rome.

The Embassy also took part in the Commonwealth Food Fair 2024 held alongside the
tournament and provided Sri Lankan tea and some food with the participation of Mission
staff and Sri Lankan restaurants in Rome-, Ceylon Chef, Suresh Food & Drinks, Seven Lanka
and Manju Catering Service; that provided a variety of delicious Sri Lankan food ranging
from Kottu Rotti, Cutlets, Chicken and Vegetable Samosas, Fried Prawns, Fish Rolls and
Cupcakes by Sweet Heart Bakers that delighted participants and there were long lines at Sri
Lanka Embassy Stall and the Embassy was awarded the Best Food Trophy for 2024,
beating the Bangladesh Embassy that had won the previous year.

It was the first time the Sri Lanka Embassy in Rome had taken part in the Commonwealth
Club Cricket Tournament with other diplomatic missions, organisations and Cricket Clubs
Teams consisting of the British and Bangladesh Embassies, the British Army XI (London), UN
Rome based agencies, the Commonwealth Club and JFC Naples (NATO). The Cricket Cup
Tournament was started in 2017 by the Commonwealth Club of Rome to promote
diplomacy, competitive spirit and the game of cricket in Rome, amongst the Commonwealth
members, as well as with the larger international and diplomatic community in Italy.

The Ambassador and Staff of the Embassy deeply appreciated the support from various
members of the Sri Lankan community in Rome to assist the Embassy take part in the event
and was pleased to win two Trophies as a first-time participant. The Sri Lanka Embassy
looked forward to start a Youth Cricket Team to raise more awareness of the game in Italy
and to take part in the Tournament in 2025.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Rome, Italy
4 th October 2024