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| Nassau-New
York Cricket Association
The league culminated its 2008 cricket activities with a lavish 12th Anniversary Dinner & Award Ceremony on Saturday, November 22, 2008, in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. In excess of 250 persons were in attendance: players, their spouses, friends and supporters, sponsors, also the Commissioner of the Public School Athletic League (PSAL), Mr... Basset Thompson accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner, Ms. Lorna Austin. The Regional Director for the United States of America cricket Association (USACA), Mr. Prasad accompanied by his charming wife Dolly was seen mixing with the crowd and engaging in “cricket talk”. It was a festive time when all in the banquet hall enjoyed the delicious cuisines and the readily available cold invigorating beverages which sort of loosen the tongues, making for long and sustained conversations. The topics of these conversations were, of course, cricket. Apart from the awards to the players, numerous other persons were recognized for their contributions towards the success of the league. Plaques were presented to Mr. Thompson and Ms. Austin for their work in the PSAL, to umpires Carl Whatley and Pooran Panchan, and to several players’ wives for the support t they gave to their husbands in hosting several leagues’ activities. Ms. Maggie Jolly was recognized for her work as the ‘resident’ scorer and statistician. She likewise received a plaque attesting to her dedication to the cause of developing and improving cricket in the New York Metropolitan area. Mr. Gerald Singh served as the Master of Ceremonies. His very first remarks were directed to the “cricket’ wives who “had to put up with their husbands week after week” during the summer. Especially he thanked those spouses who got up early on Sunday mornings to prepare the delicious foods and goodies which added to the festive mood of the cricket matches. He acknowledged various VIP’s who were in the hall and recognized many past and present players who have propelled the Nassau to being one of the top leagues in the area. To the umpires, he admitted that he would not like to be in their shoes. It is an unthankful job where someone or the other is always displeased with your decision. The president of the league in his short remarks reminded everyone that though our league is just ten years old, it has become the best around, one which continues to attract the best players around. The readiness of sponsors to pour their monies in the league attests to its claim of being a strong and viable cricket organization. He specifically thanked the players for playing cricket of a very high standard and the sportsmanship that is at all times evident on and off the field of play. He encouraged all to continue their support of the league, and promised that the 2009 cricket will be yet as exciting as the 2008 season. This writer was called upon to address the gathering. His main focus was on the topic of umpiring/player relationship in the league. He pointed out that though a very large majority of the players accept umpires’ decisions without dissent, there are still a few who vociferously show dissent to their ruling, and sometimes with remarks and words that are very insulting to the umpires. He exhorted all players and team officials to give the umpires their due respect as the judges and “conscience’ of the game. An umpire is there to enforce the rules of the game and to extract from the players a high degree of sportsmanship and fairplay. After all, isn't that what “Cricket'’ is about! When the game of cricket started in England in the 18th century it was played among the Lords and the aristocrats of that time. Cricket was one of the ways in which these gentlemen modeled their “gentlemanliness’. We as cricket players should emulate them. Let us be guided by “the spirit of the game” in our play.
The youths in the Nassau league were the first to be called upon to receive their awards. Mr. R. “Teach” Madho who worked long and tireless hours with the kids expressed great satisfaction with the kind of dedication and the improvements exhibited by them. “Teach” said that the numerous times he had to drive around to various localities to pick up and drop off the youths were worth his efforts because many of the youths went on to represent USACA in the Under 15 and Under 19 tournaments. They also took part, and performed well, in the inaugural PSAL High School competition. The following
awards were presented.
NY Regional
Under 19 Most Promising Youth Special
Awards Centurion
Club Most Runs
(40 Overs) Highest
Average (40 Overs) Highest
Individual Score 5 Wicket
Club Most Wickets
(40 Overs) Best Bowling
Average (40 Overs) Best Bowling
performance Hat Trick Club Mohamed Shahadi, Mickey Ramdeo Twenty/20
Most Runs Most Wickets Team Awards
Winner Runner Up At the close of the awards sector of the program Treasurer Ram Singh expressed his deep appreciation to all for coming out on such a cold night (18 degrees) and lending their support to the league’s Presentation Dinner & Awards Ceremony. He expressed his heartfelt thanks to the players and club officials for their participation, and to the sponsors for their financial support. After all was said and done, the guests danced until the wee hours of the morning. |
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