Emirates treats children to Flying Catch at Premadasa Stadium

Only the screaming spectators were missing when a group of aspiring young cricketers visited the R. Premadasa stadium on the eve of co-host Sri Lanka's semi-final clash with New Zealand for a place in the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

For twenty teenagers from the Vajira Sri Children's Rehabilitation Home in Kotte, the epicenter of many an exhilarating cricketing battle previously only seen on their television screen came dramatically alive as they were hosted to a tour of the stadium by Emirates, an official partner of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

The experience of a close-up view of the inside of the arena was enriched further when three members of the Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires, Steve Davis, Aleem Dar and Billy Doctrove and Sri Lankan umpire Tyrone Wijewardene joined the children at the Emirates Flying Catch inflatable to sign autographs and answer their questions.

They were also provided an opportunity to watch some of the New Zealand players practice for the following day's semi final match.

The visit ended with a session of diving catches on the Emirates Flying Catch set up at the venue by Emirates for spectators at the quarter and semi final matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

"The ICC Cricket World Cup has been a roller-coaster of thrills and spills for millions of cricket fans around the world," said Emirates Sales Manager Devika Ellepola, "but for me, this visit by the children of the Vajira Sri Home was one of the high points. Emirates feels privileged to have been able to make it happen, and is grateful to the ICC for its support."